The Road to Euro 2024: A Closer Look at the Baraże
As Euro 2024 approaches, excitement and anticipation are mounting across Europe. One of the most hotly contested phases of the qualification process leading up to the tournament is known as the Baraże, which translates to ‘play-offs’ in English. This stage provides a thrilling last chance for teams to secure their spot in the prestigious competition. Let’s delve into what the Baraże entails and its significance in the road to Euro 2024.
The Structure of the Baraże
The Baraże is a critical component of the European Championship qualifiers, serving as a secondary route for teams that did not secure automatic qualification through the regular group stages. While the format may slightly vary for each iteration of the tournament, it generally involves a series of knockout matches between the best-placed teams that did not finish at the top of their respective groups.
For Euro 2024, the Baraże features teams grouped into mini-tournaments based on their performance in the UEFA Nations League and the qualifying rounds. These groups, often comprising four teams each, will compete in single-leg semi-finals, followed by a final, with the winner of each group earning a coveted spot in Euro 2024.