Establishing reference values for the match running performances of thirteen specific positional roles at UEFA Euro 2024

This study aimed to (1) establish reference values for the match running performances of thirteen specialised positions at the men’s UEFA Euro’s 2024, (2) examine positional performances across various game periods and (3) add various layers of match context to the demands by combining physical, technical, tactical and individual information. All fifty-one games at the tournament were evaluated by analysing optical tracking data alongside match events. During matches, central and defensive midfielder subsets covered more total distance than other positions (P < 0.01; Effect Size [ES]: 1.4–3.1). Wide defender subsets in addition to attacking midfielders and forwards playing as a pair covered greater high-intensity running and sprinting distance (≥20.0 and ≥25.0 km·h⁻¹) than centre back subsets, defensive midfielders and lone forwards (P < 0.01; ES: 0.9–2.7 and 1.3–2.1). The peak high-intensity running distance in a 1-min period was greater for wide defender subsets compared to centre backs playing in a four-defender system (P < 0.01; ES: 0.9–1.2). More solo runs into key play areas occurred for attacking midfielders and wide forwards than centre back subsets (P < 0.01; ES: 0.9–2.1). Wide forwards performed more solo runs into the penalty area than other positions (P < 0.05; ES: 0.9–2.0). While centre back subsets recovered the ball more often compared to wide defenders, central and attacking midfielders in addition to forward subsets (P < 0.01; ES: 0.8–2.2). These findings provide contemporary evidence regarding the specific positional demands encountered during international matches. This information could serve as a basic framework for practitioners when developing position-specific training.