In the highly anticipated Euro 2024 tournament, the group stage is reaching its thrilling conclusion, with teams battling it out for a place in the knockouts. In a tense turn of events, Austria claimed the top spot in Group D by defeating the Netherlands, while France settled for second place.

With the innovative format of the tournament, the top two teams from each of the six groups will advance to the last-16. Additionally, the four best third-placed teams will also progress, making the race even more intense. However, eight nations will unfortunately be eliminated from the tournament.

In Group C, England has already secured their spot in the last-16 with a game to spare. However, topping the group now holds greater significance, as it would place them in a more favorable position in the knockout stage. Denmark has a chance to secure their place with a victory over Serbia, while Slovenia has their fate in their own hands against England. Serbia's only hope lies in a must-win situation against Denmark.

As history has shown in the 24-team format of the European Championship, four points have always been sufficient for a third-placed team to progress. However, three points occasionally secure a place in the next round, while two points have not been enough in previous editions. Nevertheless, there is a possibility that two points may be sufficient this time.

With the final round of fixtures set to be played out simultaneously over the next four evenings, there are bound to be twists and turns throughout all the groups. Group E, in particular, is wide open, with all four teams level on three points. The equation is simple for each team in this group - a win guarantees their place in the last-16.

Group F is also hanging in the balance. Romania can go through with a victory and can still progress with a draw, depending on the outcome of the game between Belgium and Ukraine. Slovakia has a chance to go through with a win or a draw, while Ukraine's fate rests on a victory against Belgium.

Portugal and Spain have already secured their spots as group winners, with Portugal set to face one of the four best third-placed teams and Spain playing in Cologne on Sunday 30 June at 8pm.

The tension is mounting as the tournament progresses, and fans are eagerly awaiting the thrilling conclusion of the group stage. As the fate of the teams hangs in the balance, the race for progression intensifies, setting the stage for an exhilarating knockout stage in Euro 2024.

The UEFA tiebreaker rules will come into play if teams are level on points at the completion of the group stage, ensuring a fair and unbiased ranking system. The four best third-placed teams will also be determined based on specific criteria, adding another layer of excitement to the tournament.

Football enthusiasts around the globe cannot wait to witness the climax of the group stage, as teams fight tooth and nail to secure their places in the knockouts. Euro 2024 is living up to its hype, promising a spectacular showcase of skill, determination, and footballing excellence.