Euro 2016 is morphing into a wonderfully intriguing tournament as we near its pointy end.
Growing to 24 teams from 16 has been an excellent improvement. The matches have been competitive since the underdogs have proven they belong. There haven’t been the occasional blowouts as seen in the Copa America Centenario, which is also an expanded tournament this year.
Unlike the Copa, which saw Chile and Argentina quickly become favourites to reach the final as the knockout stages began, the Euros have been more competitive. The average margin of victory in reaching the final was an astounding 3.5 goals per game for Argentina and 4.5 for Chile in the knockout stages. Big Round of 16 winners Belgium and Germany likely won’t match those figures.
The “minnows” of Euro 2016 have more than held their own. Had Euro 2016 not grown to 24 teams, teams like Iceland, Hungary, and Albania would not have made it. (Note that Northern Ireland won its qualification group and would have made it to France under the old 16-team format; Wales would likely have been in a playoff against another country.) The lowest-ranked team at the Euros—Albania (No. 42) with a population of 2.8 million—made history with a win over Romania and finished third in its group.
But Iceland continues to be the biggest story of the Euros after knocking off England 2–1 in Nice on Wednesday. It was no fluke either.
