Euro 2024: 4 Top 'Surprise Package' Teams in Germany Ahead of Round of 16 Showdowns

• Several lower-ranked teams stole the spotlight in the group stage of the 2024 European Championship in Germany
• Austria and Georgia took down some of the biggest names in the group stage, making Euros history in the process
• Top-ranked teams such as England and Portugal flattered to deceive but also still made it through into the last 16

The Euro 2024 group stage is complete and it was truly memorable.

The big boys, such as France, England, Spain, and hosts Germany, comfortably progressed to the Round of 16, but there were a few surprises.

The group stage was awkward, and most of the big teams struggled to produce the dominant performances many were expecting.

Among the pre-tournament favourites, Germany and Spain were the only teams which lived up to the hype. Their performances were convincing and exciting.

Germany braced for Euro 2024 kick-off with France, England the favourites

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England, Portugal, Italy, and Belgium were unconvincing. The Three Lions, in particular, were lethargic in a group they were expected to win comfortably.

However, a few teams rose to the occasion and challenged the status quo. Here are some of them.

5 Suprise teams at Euro 2024

Austria

After being ridiculed at Old Trafford, Ralf Rangnick constructed an exciting and competitive Austrian side that defeated Poland and the Netherlands in the group stage, per Opta Analyst. They suffered an undeserved defeat to France but still won the group. Despite their lack of superstars, like many teams in Group D, their gung-ho tactics were a problem for their opponents. They win the ball high and play directly, creating plenty of chances.

They face Turkey in the Round of 16 and are favourites to progress. They could meet the Dutch in the quarter-final and possibly England in the semis. Therefore, they are capable of taking down the biggest teams. Can they cause an upset in the second Round of 16 appearance?

Euro 2024: Italy, Belgium Missing in Top 5 Favourites to Win European Championship in Germany

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Georgia

Willy Sagnol's side upset Portugal in their final group-stage game to reach the knockout stage. Georgia were poor in qualifying and were tipped to be the first team to exit the tournament. They lost an entertaining first game to Turkey and drew with Czech before upsetting Cristiano Ronaldo's team.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Giorgi Mamardashvili, Georges Mikautadze, and Giorgi Chakvetadze were superb against the Selecao, registering the biggest upset in Euro history. It was their first Euro campaign, and it was a success even if they failed to beat a formidable Spanish side in the Round of 16.

Romania

Romania have been to the Euros before, and their most memorable moment was reaching the quarter-final in the 2000 edition. Since then, they have qualified twice and failed to advance past the group stage both times.

This year, they topped their group ahead of Belgium and Slovakia. Therefore, making it this far is a massive achievement. Romania have an uphill task against the Netherlands in the Round of 16 and will have to rely on their solid defensive approach to get through.

How underdogs have fared in previous Euro tournaments

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Slovenia

Slovenia finished third in Group C, the most uninspiring group at Euro 2024. Only England registered a win in the group, with the rest of the team drawing all their games. Slovenia drew all their games and scored two goals, ending the group stage with a goal difference of 0.

However, they've reached the Round of 16 for the first time in their history and are playing at the tournament for the second time, per UEFA. Can they knock out Portugal?

Euro 2024 predictions

Sports Brief also previously predicted Euro 2024's Round of 16 matches.

France, England, Portugal, and the Netherlands should all be moving on.

Germany and Spain have fixtures they should win before their face-off.