- The Euro 2024 group stage has now passed in Germany
- Eight teams were dumped out of the competition before the knockout rounds
- Ukraine became the first to exit the Euros in the group phase after earning four points
Despite spanning half the tournament, just a third of nations at Euro 2024 have been eliminated at the end of the group stage.
Only eight sides have packed their bags, marking the 2026 World Cup down in their calendar as they board planes home. For some, Euro 2024 has been an unmitigated disaster, while others have shone bright despite adversity.
Ultimately, the outcome for all eight teams was the same, but several countries can beam with pride despite an early exit.
Here are the eight eliminated Euro 2024 sides - ranked from best to worst.
8. Albania
Albania were expected to be humiliated on only their second appearance at a major tournament. Only Georgia were lower in the FIFA rankings than the minnows, but Albania had the significant disadvantage of being drawn into Group B alongside Italy, Spain and the aforementioned Croatia.
Up against three sides perched inside FIFA's top ten, Albania could have been obliterated. However, they stood tall and disrupted the powerhouses they had been thrust into competition with.
Scoring the quickest goal in Euros history, Albania fell to a narrow 2-1 defeat to Italy before earning an admirable point against Croatia the following game. They tasted defeat against Spain to close out their campaign, but they did themselves proud in a 1-0 loss.
Expected to be embarrassed in Germany, Albania impressed on the biggest stage with some encouraging displays. In another group, they may well have qualified.
7. Ukraine
Ukraine became the first side in European Championship history to exit the competition having earned four points in the group stage. Unfortunately for Serhiy Rebrov's side, all of their group stage opponents also amassed the same total.
As a result, a 3-0 defeat to Romania in their opener proved irreparable, with that particularly poor day at the office the defining match of their Euro 2024 campaign.
Ukraine did improve, however. A strong second-half showing against Slovakia, capped by a wonderful Roman Yaremchuk goal, handed them a 2-1 victory, while they could have stunned Belgium in the final group game had they been more clinical during a goalless draw.
Given everything that is going on in Ukraine currently, their presence at the tournament is truly remarkable in itself.
6. Croatia
It was an incredibly frustrating campaign for Luka Modric and Croatia, who have established themselves as a real force in tournament football despite their low population.
Dismantled 3-0 by Spain in their opening match, the 2018 World Cup finalists did end up having a real chance of making it through to the knockout stages after putting themselves in winning positions against Albania and Italy.
But goals conceded in the 95th and 98th minute respectively cost Croatia dear – mental lapses that were wholly unexpected with the experience and quality in their side. The age of the golden generation now appears to be passing too, so it will be interesting to see how they bounce back.
5. Czechia
Czechia were unfortunate during the group stage. Ivan Hasek's men were unlucky to concede a 92nd-minute winner to Portugal in their opening match, with the equaliser in that game having come via an even unluckier Robin Hranac own goal.
In their final group game, they needed victory against Turkey to progress. However, after just 20 minutes, Antonin Barak was sent off for a harsh second yellow card, after which they conceded another stoppage-time strike to condemn them to a 2-1 defeat.
However, had they beaten Georgia - the lowest-ranked side in the competition - in between those matches, they would have potentially progressed. For that, they can only blame themselves.
4. Poland
At this point, it's worth questioning whether Poland should be allowed to compete at major tournaments. Yet again, they failed to deliver under pressure, even if they were missing their talisman Robert Lewandowski for the first match.
That was perhaps their best display, too. They performed well against the Netherlands and even took the lead as Lewandowski's replacement Adam Buksa headed them in front. A late goal for the Dutch was coming, but conceding to Wout Weghorst always hurts.
However, their display against Austria was pretty tepid and they were outclassed by a superior team with a more dynamic approach. A draw against France is worth celebrating, but not so much when you're already out of the competition.
3. Hungary
Hungary may have finished on more points than every team on this list bar Ukraine, but don't get it twisted, they were awful. Some had declared them potential dark horses prior to the tournament but, much like Turkey at Euro 2020, they failed to live up to the billing.
Their opening defeat to Switzerland was disappointing and costly despite a stronger second-half display, while Germany proved far, far too tough for them come the second game of the group.
Yes, Hungary did beat Scotland. However, the Tartan Army were similarly woeful (we'll come to them) and Hungary were only able to capitalise on Steve Clarke's side frantically throwing bodies forward in stoppage time.
Their 1-0 victory against Scotland was undoubtedly the lowest quality game of the tournament - and we've seen England play three times.
2. Serbia
A front two of Dusan Vlahovic and Aleksandar Mitrovic had the ability to fire Serbia to the knockout stages in a mediocre group. The pair finished Euro 2024 with zero goals, three big chances missed and only four shots on target between them.
Their ineffectiveness epitomised a Serbia team full of talent but lacking in ideas. Their build-up play too slow and their chances too fleeting, so it was hardly surprising to see them make an early exit.
Similarly to Poland, this is not the first time that Serbia have underwhelmed on the big stage. As an independent nation, they have never made it to the knockout stages of a major tournament during their four appearances.
1. Scotland
It's a tale as old as time. Scotland reach major tournament, Scotland exit at the group stage having stunk the place up.
Having beaten Spain in qualifying and reached Euro 2024 in relative style, Scotland then embarked on a torrid run of pre-tournament form. That evidently had a major impact on confidence in Germany, as did a 5-1 thrashing at the hands of the hosts in the tournament opener.
A cagey draw with Switzerland followed and then came a disastrous 1-0 defeat to Hungary. We've already covered just how woeful that game of football was.
The problems for Scotland were scattered across the pitch. A toothless attack with no natural width and no goalscoring centre-forward, a midfield performing below its usual level and a defence that is almost exclusively made up of Championship players - or those of a similar standard.
It was never likely to end well, and it certainly didn't.
