How many teams are in the Euros? Why there are 24 nations at Euro 2020 – and how that affects knockout format
This summer’s Euro 2020 will be the second occasion where 24 nations have played in the final tournament – but why the expansion?
The Euros were first held in 1960, with the quadrennial tournament a four-team affair until eight teams took part in the 1980 edition.
It was then doubled to 16 teams in 1996, a format which remained in place for five Euros until Uefa brought about their latest change.
Euro 2016 was the first edition with 24 teams, and despite some opposition the delayed Euro 2020 tournament – taking place across Europe – will continue with this format.
Uefa announced the change in September 2008, with the expansion generating a total of 51 matches compared to the 31 with 16 nations.
“This historic decision gives middle-ranked countries a much greater chance to qualify for the final tournament, thereby expanding the fan basis [sic] directly reached, and increasing the number of matches played and boosting the overall stadium capacity,” Uefa said when announcing the move.
In essence, more matches means more money generated. After Euro 2016 finished, Uefa revealed revenue increased by 34 per cent to €1.93bn (£1.66bn) when compared to Euro 2012.
According to Reuters, €1.05bn came from television rights, €480m from sponsorship and licensing and €400m from ticketing and hospitality.
The expansion also improves the prospects of each nation reaching the knockout stages. Going into the final round of group fixtures at Euro 2016, every nation but Ukraine were able to still qualify for the last 16, which will have given Uefa a level of vindication for the format change as it reduced the amount of dead-rubber matches.
Euro 2020 format explained
The 16-team format brought with it the simplicity of the top two teams from all four groups reaching the knockout stages, which began with the quarter-finals.
Increasing the tournament to 24 teams led to the inclusion of a last 16 stage, meaning just eight nations would exit at the group stage.
With six groups in total, the six winners and six runners-up all reach the last 16, so too the four best third-placed finishers.
Group winners will not meet in the last 16, while it gets a little complicated regarding who the third-placed teams face if they qualify. An explanation can be found on Page 19 of Uefa’s Euro 2020 regulations here.
Former Uefa president Michel Platini said in 2015 that the expansion had a “positive impact” on international football, adding that the spectacle of qualification had improved given more teams were able to reach the tournament proper.
“We have seen extremely competitive groups with several teams fighting for qualification, a high quality of football played and great enthusiasm in several nations who have never or rarely qualified for a major tournament,” Platini said.
Albania, Iceland, NorthernIreland, Slovakia and Wales all reached their first Euros following the expansion, but arguably the biggest benefactors for the 2016 edition were Portugal.
Portugal drew their three group games and finished third behind Hungary and Iceland in Group F, but they squeezed into the last 16 as one of the four best third-placed finishers on goal difference.
They then beat Croatia after extra-time in the last 16, Poland on penalties in the quarters, Wales 2-0 in the semi-final and then France 1-0 in the final after extra-time to win the tournament.
This time around, Finland and NorthMacedonia will be making their European Championship debuts in 2021, while Scotland are playing their first major tournament since the 1998 World Cup and first Euros since 1996.
Slovakia and Wales will both be making their second straight appearance at the tournament.
“I think 24 teams are too many,” Low said on ZDF. “The World Cup’s going to be increased to 40 teams and it’s getting more and more, and that’s a problem in the long term.
“Sometimes you get the feeling it’s not doing football any good. The quality is suffering.”
Germany defender Mats Hummels added: “The level at this European Championship was not what we had hoped for. There were many teams who didn’t want to do anything with the ball and just packed men behind the ball.”
Will the Euros stick with 24 teams?
For now, yes. Back in 2016, Uefa general secretary Theodore Theodoridis said the 24-team format would remain in place, and dismissed talk of a further expansion to 32 teams.
“The decision has been made to go for 24 and all the preparations for 2020 are with 24 teams,” he said. “But this particular committee is constantly reviewing the different elements and comes with proposals.
“But for 2020, we will go for 24. There are pluses and minuses for every format.
“We have to see the overall picture of the competition – not only the final tournament but also the qualifiers. If you ask me about 32, I am confident that we have more than 32 very competitive teams in Europe.
“But a format of 32 would kill the qualifiers so it is balance, you have to consider a little bit of everything.”
from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/3w2T6he
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