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Reason why both Euro 2024 matches kick off at the same time today

Reason why both Euro 2024 matches kick off at the same time today

There's a very good reason why Euro games are starting to kick off at the same time

Today's Euro 2024 matches are kicking off at the same time - but why is this?

We're getting into the business end of the tournament now, with all 24 teams playing two group stage games each at the time of writing, and spots in the round of 16 up for grabs.

The top two teams from all six groups will qualify for the knockout stage, while only the four best third-placed teams will join them - the third and final group games will get underway today.

It's been an entertaining tournament so far, on and off the pitch, with Scottish fans in particular getting stuck in:

But unfortunately for football fans, there will be no more 2pm fixtures for the rest of the tournament (you will be missed), and there are no 5pm fixtures today (23 June), as sports fans will have been enjoying the luxury of watching three games a day since Euro 2024 kicked off.

Tonight, both Group A fixtures will kick-off at 8pm UK time, with Switzerland taking on Germany and Scotland playing Hungary.

Germany have already qualified for the next round, needing just a point to secure top spot, with Switzerland firmly in second place and Scotland and Hungary left to battle it out for third as both need a win.

Hosts Germany are joined by the likes of Portugal and Spain as the only three teams who go into the final round of games having already qualified for the knockouts.

But with the other 20 teams (Poland have already been knocked out) battling it out for their progression, there's a reason why final group games are played at the same time - and it's a 42-year-old rule.

No more 2pm pints. You'll be missed, afternoon kick-offs. (Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
No more 2pm pints. You'll be missed, afternoon kick-offs. (Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)

It all stems from the 1982 World Cup in Spain, where an incident known as the 'Disgrace of Dijon' occurred, as West Germany played Austria in their final Group Five game.

Algeria and Chile, the other countries in the group, had played the day before with the former winning 3-2, putting them ahead of West Germany in the group in second place, a favourable position to progress.

This meant that the neighbouring European nations knew that a victory for the West Germans by one or two goals would ensure that both progressed, though Algeria would be knocked out on goal difference.

Striker Horst Hrubesch scored for West Germany in the 10th minute, and the game after that almost came to a standstill, as both teams understood that the result suited them both.

The Algerians lodged a formal complaint to FIFA as a result, though the football governing body said that the teams didn't break the rules - Spain and Northern Ireland played out a similar game in the same tournament too.

Since the 1986 World Cup, all final group stage matches have kicked off at the same time to avoid any foul play again.

England fans will be hoping to top the group come Tuesday evening. (Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
England fans will be hoping to top the group come Tuesday evening. (Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)

UEFA added this rule into the Euros and the Champions League shortly after, and it is now the worldwide practice for tournament football - all to avoid potential match fixing.

Group B will be concluded on Monday evening, while 5pm kick-offs are back on Tuesday for Group D's final games.

England will look to top their group in the 8pm slot on Tuesday, while Groups E and F will conclude on Wednesday - the round of 16 will kick off on Saturday 29 June.

Despite sitting atop their group on four points going into the final group game, England will hope for a win against Slovenia to secure top spot in Group C, giving them, hypothetically, the easiest opponent in the round of 16.

The Three Lions have underwhelmed so far this tournament, mustering a shaky 1-0 win vs Serbia in their opener and scraping a 1-1 draw against Denmark on Thursday, that could have easily been a loss.

Despite manager Gareth Southgate's worrying comments after their second game, fans will be hoping the side can turn a new leaf and go into the knockouts with some confidence under their belt.

Featured Image Credit: Matthias Hangst/Getty Images

Topics: Euro 2024, Football, Sport