Revealed: The very bizarre way Denmark and Slovenia were separated in the Euro 2024 table after finishing level on points, goal difference and goals scored (and they both had the same points in qualifying too!)
- Denmark finished behind Group C winners England after last night's results
- Only a little-known rule prevented Slovenia from qualifying automatically
- LISTEN to It's All Kicking Off! EUROS DAILY: England were 'abysmal', 'stunk the place out,' and played like a 'five-a-side team of kids'
Denmark beat Slovenia to second place in Group C at Euro 2024 thanks to a little-known rule and one rowdy assistant coach, it has emerged.
Both teams drew all three of their group games to finish on three points with England topping the table despite their limp performances in Germany.
Their records were nearly identical after they shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw with each other before they drew 1-1 in their second game and 0-0 in their final fixture.
Slovenia shut the Three Lions out in a drab contest in Cologne while Denmark were unable to find a way through against Serbia, who finished bottom of the pile.
As a result, their goal differences were both zero with two goals scored and two conceded. This meant the table came down to their respective disciplinary records.
Denmark pipped Slovenia to second place in Group C at Euro 2024 thanks to a bizarre rule
Despite finishing on the same points at the Danes, Slovenia were made to settle for third spot
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There was initial confusion with Slovenia and Denmark locked in six yellow cards apiece after their three matches - before a bizarre development came to light.
A member of Slovenia's backroom staff, assistant coach Milivoje Novakovic, was booked during their first match of the tournament - ironically against Denmark.
This proved enough to send Denmark through in second, the Danes holding six disciplinary points to Slovenia's seven. Had Novakovic not been cautioned, UEFA would have needed to examine their records during qualifying for the showpiece.
Staggeringly, they were also placed in the same qualifying group and both finished on 22 points with seven victories, one draw and two defeats.
Slovenia reached the last-16 as one of the best-performing third-placed teams while Denmark progressed automatically, having finished two points behind England.
A booking for a member of Slovenia's coaching staff meant they agonisingly missed out
But they were still able to celebrate after their drab goalless draw with England in Cologne
The strange twist may well have penalised them, though, because they will now face Germany in the next round as part of a nightmare half of the knockout bracket.
Meanwhile, Slovenia will either face Portugal or the winner of Group E, which could be any of Romania, Belgium, Slovakia or Ukraine after tonight's games.
'Playing against Germany, it can't be better,' said Denmark boss Kasper Hjulmand. 'When we play against the big nations, we always step up. We are going to be ready.'
On Rasmus Hojlund's lack of service, Hjulmand added: 'Rasmus has been fighting a lot but he has also been a little lonely. Some of the players have been far away from him.
'It is important that our wingers are very fast and close to him.
'We have to get Christian Eriksen a little closer to him as well.'
