Top 5 surprise performances in the UEFA EURO 2024 group stage

The group stage of UEFA EURO 2024 (14 June – 14 July) has reached its conclusion as the knockout stages are set to get underway in Germany.

Hosts Germany opened the football tournament with an emphatic 5-1 win over Scotland, while the last of the 16 teams to progress were decided on Wednesday (26 June) night.

It would not be football without an underdog story, and although the majority of the big names qualified for the round of 16 as expected, there are a number of teams who overcame the odds to book themselves a place in the knockout stages of the Euros.

Here are some of the most unexpected yet spectacular performances from the group stage of UEFA EURO 2024.

5. Slovakia

Slovakia found themselves in what would be the tightest group of the whole competition, but got off to a dream start as they beat group favourites Belgium in their first match. Going into the third and final matchday, Group E had all four teams level on points and with a chance at advancing to the next round.

With everything on the line, Slovakia earned a 1-1 draw with Romania to qualify with four points, enough to earn them a place in the knockout stages on goal difference. They looked good in the group stages and now have the chance to write history when they take on EURO 2020 finalists England in the round of 16 on Sunday (30 June).

4. Slovenia

Slovenia had never qualified for the knockout stage of a major tournament in their history – until now. With a strong team led by star players such as Jan Oblak and Benjamin Sesko, an impressive defensive display in their 0-0 draw with England on the final matchday secured their berth in the round of 16.

They progress to the next round unbeaten, only missing out on second place in Group C because of their disciplinary record being marginally inferior to eventual runners up Denmark. Slovenia have a mouth-watering tie ahead, as they face EURO 2016 winners Portugal in Frankfurt on Monday (1 July).

3. Romania

Whether Romania warrant the title of surprise package is debatable – they topped their qualifying group unbeaten – but that did not stop them sending a statement out on the continental stage.

Their opening day 3-0 win over Ukraine caught the attention of fans, not least for the spectacular fashion of their three goals. Defeat in their second match to Belgium meant that they had to play for qualification on the final day, but a healthy goal difference meant that a stalemate with Slovakia was enough to send them through.

Romania emerged as Group E winners and a team to watch at the Euros, as they prepare to face Netherlands next on Tuesday (2 July). The two teams both qualified with four points so expect a tight encounter in Munich, where the Romanians look to reach their first European quarter-final in 24 years.

2. Austria

A group containing France, Netherlands and Poland made it a tough ask for Austria to progress to the knockout stages, especially after they narrowly lost out 1-0 to France in their first game to an own goal. But under coach Ralf Rangnick, who has transformed the national team into a new force, their best was yet to come.

First was a tense but determined performance against Poland, where Austria battled to a 3-1 win at the Olympiastadion in Berlin. A must-win match against Netherlands seemed tricky, and in an end-to-end match where the Dutch equalised twice, the Austrians fought hard to seal a determined 3-2 victory and win the group of death.

To finish ahead of two tournament powerhouses in the group stage is a testament to Rangnick’s work with Austria, and they will go into the knockout stages with full confidence. Their round of 16 opponents are Türkiye, who they will meet in Leipzig on Tuesday (2 July) for a shot at a first ever Euros quarter-final.

1. Georgia

It is no understatement to say that Georgia qualifying for the knockout stages of UEFA EURO 2024 is the greatest achievement in Georgian football history. That they are even at the tournament is a feat in of its own; they reached the Euros qualifying play-offs through the UEFA Nations League, then beat EURO 2004 winners Greece on penalties to qualify for their first ever major tournament.

An opening day defeat to Türkiye was a reality check for the Georgians, but not enough to dampen their spirits nor hopes. They went on to earn a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Czechia to take their qualification hopes to the final matchday, albeit needing a result against one of the tournament favourites and powerhouses, Portugal.

Inside two minutes, star player Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scored his first goal of the tournament at the perfect time to give Georgia the lead. They held onto the advantage going into the break, before a second-half penalty from Georges Mikautadze gave Georgia breathing space and a stunning 2-0 win in Gelsenkirchen.

Georgia have already written history by reaching the knockout stages at the first time of asking, announcing their arrival on the continental stage on their debut. Their reward? A round of 16 clash with three-time European champions and best group stage performers, Spain in Cologne on Sunday (30 June) night.