By Ogbitse Meyiwa

There will be no third-place play-off in Euro 2024 after it was scrapped by UEFA. The third-place play-off is often seen as the game no one wants to be part of, as fans, players, and coaches prefer the final of the Euros to the third-place match, despite the bronze medal to be won. It is usually seen as boring and far from the main goal, which is to win the Euros. Teams that lose in the semi-finals tend not to put effort into the third-place play-off because they feel and wish to win gold in the competition. This sentiment applies not only to the players but also to the fans, who are reluctant to buy tickets to watch their team play for bronze after dreaming of them lifting the ultimate trophy.

The last tournament to feature a third-place play-off in the Euros was in 1980, where Czechoslovakia defeated Italy 9-8 on penalties to claim the bronze medal. Despite the intensity of the match, fans didn’t see it as worth their time to attend and support their country.

Since then, UEFA has scrapped the third-place play-off due to low television ratings and low attendance from fans.

This year’s losing semi-finalists, Netherlands and France, will not engage in the third-place play-off in Germany.

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