Euro 2024 group stage review: Heartbreak, elation and high dramaPremium

In the ongoing European Championships, the underdogs have made it clear from the first matchday that every group was a group of death, and no one should expect a cakewalk.

Curtains are down after the first act of European drama playing out in the German theatre and the audiences have witnessed every emotion playing out. From elation to heartbreak, from scare to survival, the group stage of Euro 2024 delivered more than what fans expected from a continental tournament.

After a delayed tournament with reduced and controlled crowds owing to the pandemic and a World Cup held in West Asia, Europe has come alive to celebrate international football in its backyard with no distancing and disruptions, and the exuberance brimmed in the stands for each match.

What played out in Leipzig’s Red Bull Arena sums up the emotions that were on display throughout. Croatia, needing nothing less than a victory to go through to the knockouts was leading Italy since the 55th minute of the game when its veteran talisman made amends for a missed penalty to become the oldest goalscorer in the history of the tournament.

But Italy took the game back with the last kick of the game, silencing the Croats waiting for the final whistle to storm the pitch. And when their joy turned to tears, the defending champion let out a sigh of relief having come back from the brink of elimination to see another day.

“Football is cruel,” Modric said after the loss. “That’s part and parcel of football. Sometimes it brings a lot of happiness, but sometimes it makes you very sad as well.”

Meanwhile Georgia had another story to tell.

Arriving at the tournament with no expectations and celebrating its entry itself as a historic moment, the team managed by Frenchman Willy Sagnol has conjured up a miracle.