German media predict three-way points race in Nations League group

While the sun sets over the Olympic Stadium in Thessaloniki, German journalists analyze the Nations League‑group in which the Netherlands, Greece, Germany and Serbia are competing, and they warn of a rare scenario in which three teams could finish on eleven points after a disappointing start under national team coach Jürgen Klopp.

Disappointing start under Jürgen Klopp

The Germans have started the campaign disappointingly under national team coach Jürgen Klopp. He called it a ‘Klopp’s stumbling start’ and listed: one win, two draws, one loss. The team showed flair and strong counter‑pressing, but missed a goal after the break.

Sky Sport Deutschland headlined with ‘Revenge missed’ after the draw against the Greeks. The German sports channel warned that it now becomes a tough task to reach the quarter‑finals, having let crucial points slip.

Germany sought revenge on Greece with a B‑team, but that succeeded only partially. Although the team created many chances, the urgency to score in the second half was lacking.

Scenario with three equal teams

speculates already about a ‘rare scenario’ in which three teams could finish on eleven points. This could happen if Germany recovers in the last two matches and the other results fall logically.

In that case Germany wins both remaining matches, the Netherlands defeats Greece and Greece defeats Serbia. Then the Netherlands, Germany and Greece each finish with eleven points.

When points are equal, the first criterion is the number of points obtained in head‑to‑head matches, with the results against Serbia being excluded. If that is not decisive, the best goal difference in those matches follows, then the number of goals scored, then the overall goal difference including the matches against Serbia, and finally the total number of goals scored.

In the described scenario Serbia remains on zero points, so the battle for the two quarter‑final places between the other three teams is decided. After a disappointing World Cup performance, Orange now looks ahead to the 2026/27 Nations League season, in which it will share the group stage with Germany, Serbia and Greece. It is important to know the tie‑breaking criteria already.