How UEFA killed the Euro's

Every game of the European Championships was once must see.

They're not anymore.

Throwing the 'if it ain't broke don't fix it' mantra out the window, UEFA expanded the tournament to 24 teams for France 2016.

More teams equal more games, which equals more money - seemingly the justification for any decision made by a football governing body.

24 teams obviously doesn't divide as well into a Round of 16 or Quarter Finals, therefore this tournament has introduced a farcical situation where the best four third placed sides qualify for the second round.

The fact you can now qualify from third place has made the entire tournament rather dour. Games aren't necessarily must win anymore and sides often look content with a draw. 

This has been reflected in the amount of goals scored, with Euro 2016 seeing an average of 1.84 goals per game.

Euro 2012 saw an average of 2.45 – enough said.

Interest in the group stage wasn’t as high, with weaker groups and the odd mismatch.

It’s a stark contrast to previous tournaments.

At Euro 2012 Germany, Portugal and The Netherlands were in the same group, as were Spain, Italy and Croatia and France and England.

Euro 2008 was much the same The Netherlands, Italy and France were grouped together, along with France, England and Croatia at Euro2004.

Every game was a blockbuster, every game mattered and points were precious – it was why everyone loved the Euro’s.

But the biggest mistake made at Euro 2016 is how the Round of 16 opponents are decided.

Instead of the top four ranked group winners landing the four best third placed sides, the matches were predetermined. 

It means Italy who topped Group E with six points, and could have finished with a maximum nine, had they not made 11 changes against the Republic of Ireland, take on Spain, the runner up of Group D.

On the other hand Wales, the second lowest ranked group winner will play Northern Ireland, the lowest ranked third placed side.

How is that fair?

Instead the third place sides, Slovakia, Republic of Ireland, Portugal and Northern Ireland should have been made to play the top four group winners - France, Germany, Croatia and Italy. 

As mentioned above Italy made 11 changes for their game with the Republic of Ireland, given they had already secured top spot and couldn't alter their position in the group or chances of progression in the second round. 


That meant the Republic of Ireland were able to win against a weakened side, a chance every other team in the tournament didn't have. 

The Round of 16 also has delivered a horror draw for both organisers and fans.

Italy, Spain, Germany, France and England all sit in the same half of the draw.

The other side includes Switzerland, Poland, Hungary, Wales and Belgium.

We’re hardly going to get the marquee final we all hoped we would.

The Euro’s have lost their lustre and I don’t think it’s going to change anytime soon.

Euro2020 may be even more farcical with 24 teams again taking part, but the biggest issue around the next Euro’s is the fact is wont have a host nation.

Instead it will be held across thirteen European cities in thirteen different countries.

England’s Wembley Stadium will host the Semi Finals and Final, but the remainder will be played out in Copenhagen, Glasgow, Brussels, Budapest, Bilbao, Dublin, Amsterdam, Bucharest, St Petersburg, Rome, Munich and Baku – in Azerbaijan.

Co-hosting is not uncommon in recent times, but many issues come with it.

The impacts of travel between countries, inadequate rest time and issues for fans will no doubt once again be on the agenda in 2020.

The Round of 16 kicks off tomorrow and maybe Euro2016 will have a late twist that glosses over the issues the tournament has had so far.

It would want to be something special, because up to now, the Euro’s have been painfully underwhelming. 

ADAM SANTAROSSA