5 Interesting Stats You May Have Missed From the Group Stages

Gian Piero Gasperini has been instrumental in transforming the fortunes of the plucky Italian side, Atalanta, and now his men are taking the European Championships by storm. No club from across the continent has contributed more goal scorers than the Serie A outfit, with Aleksei Miranchuk (RUS), Matteo Pessina (ITA), Joakim Mæhle (DEN) and Robin Gosens (GER) all on target during the group stage.

What’s more, a further three goals have also been created by Atalanta players, as Ruslan Malinovskyi (UKR), Rafael Toloi (ITA) and the above mentioned Gosens all with one assist to their name.

Only Italian giants, Juventus and Inter Milan have more Serie A players competing at Euro 2020 than the side from Bergamo - a real testament to the job Gasperini has achieved during his five-year stint with Atalanta.

Largely tipped to go deep at Euro 2020, a Turkey side filled with talents such as Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Çağlar Söyüncü and Burak Yilmaz failed to pick up a point during the group stages, finishing dead last in Group A.

Priced at 8/1 to reach the semi-finals pre-tournament, Şenol Güneş’ side became just the second team since 2012 to lose all three of their group matches. With just one goal during their trio of fixtures, Turkey crashed out with a goal difference of -7, making their performance the fifth-worst in European Championship history.

However, despite their disappointing return, there is an argument to suggest the Turks were a little unlucky. Registering 40 shots across their three group games, Turkey created more chances than their goals return suggests, with wayward finishing and exceptional goalkeeping to blame for their woes.

Denmark became the first team to qualify for the knockout stage as runners-up with only three points since they did it themselves back in 1992.

Remarkably, it is only the second time since the Danes went on to lift the trophy in 1992 they have progressed past the group stage, having last qualified for the knockouts at Euro 2004. Heading into their final fixture of this year’s tournament rock bottom on zero points, Denmark cruised past a poor Russian side to leapfrog Finland into the final automatic qualification spot.

Finishing second behind host nation Sweden in 1992, Denmark played out a stalemate with England, before going on to stun France in their final group match. However, Euro 1992 was the last tournament to award two points for a victory, instead of the current tally of three, making their progression this time round a truly unique achievement. Nonetheless, a Danish side rocked by tragedy in their opening game will be hoping history repeats itself and they can go on to win the Euros, just like they did in 1992.

Kasper Hjulmand’s men will start their pursuit of glory in Amsterdam when they take on Wales in the round of 16.

Attempting to push his way in front of Kai Havertz, Portuguese centre-back, Ruben Dias’ unfortunate finish into his own net against Germany was the record-breaking fourth own goal at Euro 2020. Dias was just one of two Portugal defenders to put into their own net against Germany, with Raphaël Guerreiro joining him four minutes later.

The pair are amongst an astonishing eight unlucky culprits who have netted an own goal at this year’s tournament. Previously the record for the most own goals at a European Championships was three, having been set five years earlier at Euro 2016.

Merih Demiral’s error in the first match against Italy was the first time the scoring at a Euros had been opened by an own goal. Heading into the competition over 4.5 own goals was priced at 4/5, but such has been the frequency they have been scored at, odds have been pushed up to EVS for over 9.5 to be netted between now and the final on July 11th.

Throughout the duration of their final game, Group F minnows, Hungary occupied each position in the table, from top spot and automatic qualification, to their eventual finish in fourth. Having lead twice in Munich against Germany, the Magyars were unable to hold on either time, ultimately falling short of a place in the knock-outs.

Sharing six European Championships between them, Portugal, Germany and France would not have expected Hungary to provide such stern opposition. Pushing the reigning champions close in their first game, Fernando Santos’ side had to rely on an inspired Cristiano Ronaldo performance to pick up the three points.

Didier Deschamps’ men then had to come from behind to pick up a point in a sun-soaked Puskas Arena, as did three-time European champions, Germany, who salvaged a draw against a spirited Hungarian side. Elsewhere, the box office ties between Group F’s big hitters didn’t disappoint either, with all three matches providing ample entertainment. Perhaps the pick of the bunch and a contender for game of the tournament, Joachim Löw’s men came from behind to romp to a 4-2 victory against holders Portugal.

With three big guns in the knockout round, the odds on the eventual winner of the competition coming from Group F have been slashed to 13/8. A long way in front of second-placed Group D at 9/2, it’s hard to look past one of Portugal, France or Germany to go all the way.