Preface
The round of 16 of the European Cup is about to start, but in the matter of qualifying, another incredible thing happened, the two teams did not win a single game, and finally successfully advanced to the round of 16.
The ultimate test of the rules of the game
In the Group C match of Euro 2024, there was a rare draw feast, when the games all ended in the early morning of June 26 Beijing time, England and Slovenia, Denmark and Serbia all ended with a score of 0-0, which allowed England to qualify as the top of the group with 1 win and 2 draws, while Denmark and Slovenia won 3 points each with three consecutive draws and advanced to the knockout stage together.
With the same number of points in the group, the ranking rules for the European Championship are quite complex, and at first, the results of the match were the main basis for evaluating the two teams. However, the impasse between Denmark and Slovenia makes it impossible for this criterion to determine the winner. We then moved on to comparing goal difference and goals total, but sadly, the two teams showed remarkable consistency on these two key statistics.
Subsequently, the rules shifted to comparing the number of disciplinary points scored by the two teams in the match, i.e. the number of red and yellow cards. Surprisingly, Denmark and Slovenia are also exactly the same on this point, with both teams accumulating 6 yellow cards and no red cards. At this point, UEFA had to go back to the results of the two teams in the European Championship qualifiers to compare, with Denmark finishing 9th in qualifying and Slovenia 15th, a slight gap that determined Denmark to finish second in the group, while Slovenia were third.
Similar events
Euro 2016 was undoubtedly a big mark in the history of football, marking an important change in the number of teams that were expanded from 16 to 24 for the first time, an innovation that allowed more countries and teams to participate in the premier tournament and sparked love and enthusiasm for the game on a wider scale.
At the same time, a new rule has been introduced, which means that the four best third-placed teams in the group stage also have a chance to advance to the round of 16, a change that not only makes the competition more fierce and complex, but also brings more suspense and surprises to fans, making the whole event more engaging and dramatic.
At that European Championship, Portugal was a direct beneficiary of this new rule. They managed to make it out of the group with three draws in a row in the group stage and progressed to the round of 16, where Portugal won the tournament with their tenacity and teamwork.
This miraculous situation has greatly stimulated the enthusiasm of the fans, who have been amazed by the endless possibilities of football under the new format, but the introduction of this new rule has not been without controversy. Some critics argue that such a rule could adversely affect the competitiveness and sportsmanship of the game, which they fear will make the outcome of the game unfair and unpredictable.
Bugs in the European Cup format
The loopholes in the European Cup system, mainly reflected in the expansion of the participating teams to 24, resulting in a higher probability of the third place in the group also having a higher probability of advancing to the next round by accumulating three points, which caused a series of problems, in the final round of the group stage, some teams will avoid losing as the main goal, trying to qualify by squeezing out the third place in other groups, this situation of advancing even if you don't win reveals the embarrassment of the competition system, this system may also lead to the emergence of tacit balls, making the game lose its original fairness and intensity.
In response to these problems, some people suggest that the European Championship should be reformed in the competition system, or streamlined into an elite competition of 16 teams to ensure the competitiveness and enjoyment of the competition; Either further expand the scale to 32 teams, so that more teams have the opportunity to participate, while avoiding the embarrassing situation of the third place in the group to advance, at the same time, the Champions League format with its more reasonable settings, such as limiting only the top two teams in the group to advance, and in the knockout stage of the draw, to avoid the disadvantages of strong teams to select opponents, for the European Cup system reform provides a reference.
In summary, a series of reforms are needed to reform the European Championship competition system that aims to more effectively balance the level playing field with spectacle, while ensuring that this important sporting event can thrive on a sustainable track in the long term.
Commentators complained
Taylor Twellman made his point clear: "We had an in-depth and extensive discussion about Euro 2016, but the Euro 2024 format change, which expanded to 24 teams, has made the group stage relatively uneventful.
It's hard to feel the real and urgent feeling of fighting for wins and goals between teams in this new format, and while some people have a different opinion on this and remember that Portugal qualified for the round of 16 without a win in the group stage, we have to admit that this new third-place rule did not add more drama to the game. ”
The top 16 are out
As the European Championship progressed, the performance of each team in the group stage gradually became clear, and the final list of the teams to advance to the round of 16 was determined.
Group A: Germany, Switzerland
Group B: Spain, Italy
Group C: England, Denmark, Slovenia
Group D: Austria, France, Netherlands
Group E: Romania, Belgium, Slovakia
Group F: Portugal, Turkey, Georgia
As you can see from the list, traditional powerhouses such as Germany, Spain, England and France have all made it to the tournament, thanks to their consistent performance and excellent strength in the group stage, and these teams have shown strong ability at both ends of the pitch and are the favourites to win this European Championship.
The list of Champions 16 showcases the diversity and competitiveness of European football, with traditional and emerging teams coming together to create a wonderful stage that brings endless joy and surprise to fans, and in the following competitions, the teams will continue to compete fiercely for higher honours.
epilogue
The European Championship held this time, both in terms of the scale of the competition and the intensity of the competition, has shown a high degree of challenge, and the competition between the participating teams will undoubtedly present many exciting scenes that people look forward to, of course, football matches are always full of unpredictable changes and uncertainties.
Who would have imagined that in the last European Championship, the Danish team led by Harden unexpectedly reached the semi-finals? In the same way, who could have foreseen that Morocco would start their surprise journey as a dark horse in the World Cup?
In the passionate and glorious arena of football, no team can guarantee victory forever, and no team will always be in the shadow of defeat. Therefore, let's enjoy and welcome the exciting and exciting competitions that are coming with anticipation and excitement.