Group E: The European Championship is threatened with a ball-pushing pact

When the decision about the round of 16 in Group E is made this early Wednesday evening, there could be a repeat despite something new. What sounds paradoxical becomes clear when you take a closer look at the constellation and table, in which Romania, Belgium, Slovakia and Ukraine each have three points after two match days.

Never before had there been such a tie before the final day of a European Championship group. But the supposed high tension could actually result in a similarly unsportsmanlike decision as at the 1982 World Cup in Spain. On June 25th, exactly 42 years and one day before the end of the current European Championship preliminary round, Germany and Austria froze the game in the Gijón venue when the score was 1-0 for the Germans with ball pushing, so to speak, because both teams were doing so Result certainly progressed. The non-aggression pact went down in history as the “Disgrace of Gijón.” Algeria, tied on points, had already played in the lecture and had to watch helplessly as their two European neighbors eliminated them due to a poorer goal difference.

It could be something similar this time too. Ukraine and Belgium will face each other in Stuttgart, while Slovakia and Romania are scheduled to meet in Frankfurt. All four would surely advance with a win. But the same applies to Slovakia and Romania – and this is the danger -: Both would definitely make it to the round of 16 even if they “agreed” on a draw. Because with four points each, they would be guaranteed to be at least among the best four third-placed teams in this European Championship. Croatia (two points) and Hungary (three) are worse third in the group.

This also means that if Ukraine and Belgium draw against each other like Slovakia and Romania, all four teams would then have four points. However, Ukraine would suffer because, like Algeria, they had the worst goal difference in the group and would be eliminated in fourth place, despite having higher points than almost every third person in the other groups.

Unlike the pitiful North Africans, Ukraine at least has its fate in its own hands. If she wins, she will definitely reach the round of 16. It would even be possible to win the group. That would be the current climax of a politically and emotionally charged European Championship campaign. “We are aware of the responsibility that this game entails,” said left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko, once again reminding us of the millions of compatriots and especially the soldiers on the home front.

Tears of emotion were shed by many Ukraine players and fans after the 2-1 win against Slovakia. President Volodymyr Zelensky further charged the success with greater significance. “We all have to fight in our own place, for freedom, life and the correct perception of Ukraine in the world,” he said and, with a view to the game against Belgium, appealed: “Let’s move on, people! The next important battle is coming up.« Once again, the team is concerned with whether they can give the people back home joy and a distraction from the suffering of war.

The eternal secret favorite Belgium, on the other hand, has a duty to at least avoid defeat. If the team of coach Domenico Tedesco, who has come under criticism, loses in a simultaneous draw between Slovakia and Romania, the favorites in Group E would be eliminated after the preliminary round, as was the case at the 2022 World Cup. The Belgians had mastered their first major pressure situation at this European Championship. After the opening 0-1 defeat against Slovakia, they won 2-0 against Romania and even missed out on a bigger win. Captain Kevin De Bruyne then classified the performance as “very good”. Now a satisfactory performance in the form of a 0-0 draw would be enough for Belgium to advance.

Unlike the Algerians in 1982, Ukraine at least has its fate in its own hands.

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