When the runners-up in the grand final go to collect their silver medals they have two choices: let them be wrapped around their necks in despondency or take them out quickly and furiously.
In any case, the tag of runners-up is rarely worn as a badge of honour, especially when they see unbridled joy spill over from the winning side as they lift their victor's trophy.
Therefore, the idea of a third-place playoff is often subject to ridicule and derision from supporters, as such games in the past have often been met with a general lack of effort by participating teams.
But will the nations at Euro 2024 this summer have to worry about playing a game nobody wants to play?
Fortunately for the losers of this summer's Euro 2024 semi-finals, there will be no third-place play-off. UEFA scrapped the concept due to the lack of attendance at these matches and the lower than average TV viewership.
The third-place qualifier is not a high-class game, as it was shown in the last World Cup, but the 2022 World Cup meeting between Croatia and Morocco was very competitive.
The last qualifying match for the third place in the European Championship took place back in 1980, Czechoslovakia against Italy in Naples. Unfortunately for the home fans, the Italians lost on penalties after a 1-1 draw after extra time, with Fulvio Collovati's miss leading to a 9-8 victory for Czechoslovakia.
The third-place play-off was a fixture at the Euros until 1980, after which it was withdrawn from the competition by UEFA.
Euro 2024 starts on Friday 14 June and ends on Sunday 14 July, with the final being held in Berlin at Hertha's Olympiastadion. The famous venue will host six matches throughout the tournament, including the exhibition event.
Germany will be keen to attend but the host nation has not won the Euros since France in 1984 (apart from Italy at Euro 2020 when the tournament was played across Europe). The French will be among the favorites again, while England will be looking to avenge their final defeat in the previous tournament.
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