‘There were a lot of question marks about the format, but we're having an open and competitive tournament’
‘The pattern of late goals changing games in the last minute is one of the successes of the tournament’
Nothing could stop this enthusiastic supporter
Wednesday evening's dramatic
Euro 2016 group stage finale concluded an engrossing opening round that
was tight and tense to the last as the expanded new-look European
Championship passed its first test.
Critics of the tournament's expansion from 16 to 24 teams will point
to the lowest goals-to-game ratio of any Euros since 1992 (1.92) as
evidence that lower entry standards have diluted quality.
Yet Euro 2016 has not been short of excitement even if the goals have not exactly flowed.
"It may be the best (competition) we've had," was the bold claim of
UEFA competitions director Giorgio Marchetti. "There were a lot of
question marks about the format, but we're having an open and
competitive tournament."
Despite some defensive teams, contests have largely been absorbing
and the extended format has not resulted in one-sided or inconsequential
matches. Indeed, for the first time since 1996, no team won all three
group games.
"There have been fewer goals," continued Marchetti, "but if more
goals means more matches ending 3-0 or 4-0, the interest isn't really
there."
Of the 69 goals scored, 27.5 percent have come from the 80th minute onwards as contests have been heavy on late drama.
"I've found these nil-nils and one-nils very exciting with teams
fighting to the end," Marchetti added. "The pattern of late goals
changing games in the last minute is one of the successes of the
tournament.
"It has added drama and excitement," said Danny Murphy, the former
England midfielder who is now a TV analyst. "And long may it continue."
Albania held France for 90 minutes before finally succumbing, tiny
Iceland have enjoyed a fairytale Euro debut, while Northern Ireland
scraped through thanks to their first victory at a major tournament
since 1982.
Only two teams had nothing to play for heading into the final round of group fixtures, making for a dramatic series of deciders.
"The expansion of this tournament hasn't diluted it," argued Northern
Ireland coach Michael O'Neill before the conclusion of the group stage.
"We go into the final round of games with so many options."
The thrilling Group F deciders ensured the opening round ended with a
flourish, as Cristiano Ronaldo finally made his mark with two goals as
Portugal drew 3-3 in a thriller with Hungary and Iceland hit a
stoppage-time winner to beat Austria and advance.
Croatia players celebrate their win with supporters.
Iceland and Hungary are just
two less-heralded sides enjoying moments their fans could only
previously have dreamed of following committed performances.
"It's a huge positive to have more teams here," added Murphy. "It has
given a few teams and tens of thousands of their supporters the chance
to experience a tournament that otherwise they never would have done."
Indeed, while the misbehaviour of a minority of the travelling
supporters generated international headlines, the overwhelming majority
of fans have conducted themselves in exemplary fashion.
Wales, in their first major tournament since 1958, are the
tournament's joint top scorers (with Hungary) and have had their
championship odds slashed from 66/1 to 20/1 by bookmakers William Hill.
And while Wales have provided some of the most scintillating action
on the pitch, their supporters have been responsible for some of the
most colourful scenes off it.
The consequence of some of the upsets in the group stages is that the
teams in one-half of a now unbalanced-looking draw have 20 major titles
between them, compared with zero in the other.
Nonetheless, the refreshing prospect of eight nations, only two of
whom have featured in a major final before, competing in unpredictable
knockout ties for a place in the Paris final blows the tournament wide
open.
No wonder then that UEFA's new format continues to win admirers.
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