Criteria (a) to (h) above are not applicable under these circumstances :
If two teams meeting in one of the last group matches have the same number of points, the same goal difference and the same number of goals, and if this match stands at a draw at the end of normal time, then the ranking of these two teams will be determined by kicks from the penalty spot.


Ceci ne marche pas: déjà on départage les équipes en disant 1) la différence de buts (critère D) et 2) le nombre de buts marqués (critère E) avant d'en arriver aux pénos, tout en spécifiant que les critères A à H ne sont pas utiles quand deux équipes ont le même nombre de points et qu'ils répondent à deux des critères énumérés (D et E). Il y a un non sens et une contradiction.

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Pour les ambiguïtés…, je pense que les pénos seront utilisées si et seulement si il n’y a que deux équipes à égalité de points, de différence de buts et de buts marqués et que ces dernières s’affrontent dans le troisième et dernier match du premier tour.

Dans l’éventualité où il y aurait trois équipes à égalité de points, ce qui implique nécessairement un match entre deux de ces équipes, bien il n’y aurait pas de pénos entre les deux équipes qui s’affrontent et les trois équipes seraient départagées selon les critères A à F.

Ce n’est qu’une déduction logique selon toute vraisemblance...

POINT SYSTEM :
Three points for a win, one point for a draw, and no points for defeat.

TIE-BREAKER RULES :
If two or more teams finish equal on points after all the group matches have been played, the following criteria will be applied to determine the ranking :

(a) Greater number of points obtained in the matches between the teams in question.

(b) Goal difference resulting from the matches between the teams in question (if more than two teams finish equal).

(c) Greater number of goals scored in the matches between the teams in question (if more than two teams finish equal).

(d) Goal difference in all the group matches.

(e) Greater number of goals scored in all the group matches.

(f) Coefficient of points from the last two qualifying competitions for the final rounds of the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2004 (points gained and divided by the number of matches played).

(g) Fair Play conduct of the teams (final tournament).

(h) A drawing of lots by the Organising Committee.


There is no need to apply criteria (g) & (h) at this year's championship because the only teams with equal coefficient under criteria (f) are teams of England, Italy & Spain (ranked 5.) and then Denmark & Russia (ranked 11.) who were drawn into different groups anyway.


Ranking and coefficients for all 16 teams when applying criteria (f) :


1. 3.000 - France

2. 2.400 - Portugal

3. 2.389 - Sweden

4. 2.333 - Czech Republic

5. 2.313 - England

5. 2.313 - Italy

5. 2.313 - Spain

8. 2.188 - Germany

9. 2.167 - Holland

10. 2.125 - Croatia

11. 2.056 - Denmark

11. 2.056 - Russia

13. 1.889 - Bulgaria

14. 1.611 - Switzerland

15. 1.563 - Greece

16. 1.250 - Latvia


Criteria (a) to (h) above are not applicable under these circumstances :
If two teams meeting in one of the last group matches have the same number of points, the same goal difference and the same number of goals, and if this match stands at a draw at the end of normal time,then the ranking of these two teams will be determined by kicks from the penalty spot.

(note : UEFA Regulations for the European Football Championship 2004 do not explain what happens when there are 3 teams with the same number of points, the same goal difference and the same number of goals after all group matches ended and at the same time the result in the last group match between any 2 of these 3 teams is a draw - the Regulations are not clear on how is the ranking determined when 1 of the 3 teams is not taking part in the penalty shoot-out)