There have been plenty of critics of the new and expanded 2016 version of the European Championships, not just from the pundits – but most notably from German coach Joachim Low and French boss Didier Deschamps. Both believe there are too many teams, too much defensive football and therefore, a diminished quality unbecoming of a major tournament.
But for many observers, Euro 2016 has been a huge success. An extravaganza of low-scoring, close and absorbing battles that have inspired smaller footballing nations not accustomed to performing on the big stage, to dream.
The drama-charged ending to the group phase, where results determined final positions in the knock-out stages, kept fans and pundits on edge, while several matches were decided at the death, creating a wonderful level of excitement and entertainment.
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But despite the positives, it has been the low-scoring nature of the tournament that the naysayers have used as evidence that expanding the event from 16 to 24 teams has diluted the quality of football on display.
Nothing could be further from the truth. Yes, some teams have played within their means, adopting a defensive mindset not appreciated by the purists, who would much prefer open, attacking football and 3-0 and 4-0 scorelines. But high scoring matches does not necessarily equate to quality matches. And as low-scoring as the results at Euro 2016 have been, at least the majority of games have not been one-sided or irrelevant. The fact that no team completed their group games unbeaten acknowledges the parity among rivals.
The nil-all draws and narrow results have been absorbing, with teams fighting to the end, adding plenty of drama and excitement. It has also provided the minnows and tens of thousands of their fans the rare and unique experience of competing in a major international tournament.
Iceland had never been to a major tournament in their history, yet somehow they finished first equal in their group (second to Hungary on goal difference), relegating Portugal to third place. Now only England stand between them and a place in the quarter-finals. Wales have not competed at an international event since the 1958 World Cup in Sweden, yet they finished on top of Group B, ahead of the more fancied England. And, by virtue of a 1-0 victory over Northern Ireland, the Taffs find themselves in the quarter-finals.
Northern Ireland only lost to Poland and Germany by one goal each in the group stages, but qualified for the last 16 after knocking off Ukraine. While a special mention must also be made of Albania, the underdogs who showed courage in narrow losses to France and Switzerland, but went home happy with a win over Romania.
The low-scoring trend has continued into the early stages of the round of 16, not just in Wales’s 1-0 defeat of Northern Ireland. A penalty shootout earned Poland a place in the quarter-finals ahead of Switzerland; and a solitary extra-time goal eased Portugal past Croatia. There is no reason to suggest the remainder of the tournament will be any different: low-scoring, yet compelling.
People tend to have a romantic view of football excellence, with attacking flair and brilliance the preferred style over rock solid defence and swift counter-attack. Four-time world champions Italy have perfected the ‘dark’ style (I will never forget how they eliminated overwhelming favourites Brazil from the 1982 World Cup in Spain), while Greece’s victory at the 2004 Euros remains unpopular because the nature of their success was based on a style of football considered to be too boring, too bland, and decidedly inglorious.
We are all intrigued by the biblical story of David and Goliath. Likewise, in football, indeed in any sport, there is certain intrigue to watching the underdogs, full of unknowns, attempting to slay a giant. For this reason, UEFA’s decision to increase the Euros from 16 to 24 teams has been an inspired one.
And if it takes the little guys to play within their means in order to hurl stones at the enemy, then surely it is up to the so-called giants of the sport to counter that with their own brand of footballing joie de vivre. As the saying goes: “to the winner the spoils”, regardless of how victory is achieved.
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