Euro 2016: why England and Germany could still go out in the group stage

The third-place system allows teams to squeeze into the last 16 through the Euro 2016 cat flap, never mind the back door

If you’re a casual football fan, there’s a chance you won’t be familiar with the 1983-84 season in Romania’s Divizia C, Serie VIII. It was so tight that in a 16-team league, with two points for a win, only two points separated second and 15th. Some teams avoided relegation on goal difference – and finished in the top half of the division. On the final day, the as-it-stands table probably exploded after 10 minutes.

Related: Euro 2016: who qualifies from third place?

Related: Euro 2016: what do England, Wales, Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland need?

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