Thursday 23 June 2016 01:13, UK
The Euro 2016 group stages are at an end and England, Wales and Northern Ireland are all safely through to the last 16. But what have been the trends of the tournament so far? Our man in France, Adam Bate, takes a look at the late goals, striking issues and more…
It was a tournament fraught with fear. Terrorist concerns overshadowed the build-up and the ongoing reality of hooliganism kept much of the focus off the field in the first week. But even on it there had long been complaints over the format with issues of quantity and quality much discussed.
However, a number of keenly fought contests so far at Euro 2016 have allayed the worries that the group stages could be short on drama. As many as 32 of the 36 group games were in the balance into the closing stages. Any suggestion that the tournament would see a series of processions has proven to be unfounded.
Tight games
All three of France's games in Group A - against little-fancied Romania, Albania and Switzerland - were level going into the last few minutes, while world champions Germany went into stoppage time within one opposition goal of being denied victory in each of their matches in Group C.
Certainly, it has felt like one-way traffic at times. That's been a theme of the group stages and, for some, a complaint. "It is a little bit embarrassing," said England boss Roy Hodgson after being frustrated by a goalless draw with Slovakia. "It has been attack versus defence in all three games."
Goal shy
Nevertheless, perhaps any embarrassment ought to be restricted to the England players who failed to find the net in such circumstances. They've not been alone. The favourites have repeatedly been unable to overwhelm less talented opponents. An average of 1.92 goals per game puts Euro 2016 on course to be the lowest scoring since 1968.
On occasion, the star forwards have been a victim of circumstance. Robert Lewandowski and Zlatan Ibrahimovic did not receive the service they are accustomed to at club level, while England's Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy, players who thrive on the counter-attack, were denied the space to run into.
Late goals
One of the key benefits of so many low-scoring games has been that we have been treated to some crucial late goals. Dimitri Payet struck a brilliant winner against Romania and Antoine Griezmann got France's glory goal against Albania. Both were memorable moments for the hosts as frustration gave way to joy.
England were on the receiving end against Russia before stunning Wales with Daniel Sturridge's stoppage-time winner. Spain took the opposite emotional journey - beating Czech Republic late on before being undone by Croatia. Iceland had to wait until the 94th minute to make sure of their progression. It was the 15th of 17 goals in the 84th minute or later.
Historic wins
Such drama ensured it was a group stage full of memories despite a lack of goals. In particular, the identity of the winners added to the spectacle with Hungary, Northern Ireland and Albania as well as Iceland all picking up landmark victories. For the first two it was a first appearance at a tournament in 30 years. For the latter two it is a first ever.
With all of them impressing on the pitch and in the stands, Europe has seen what it means to these nations to be here. Northern Ireland would have qualified automatically under the old format but that's not true of the others and the way their fans embraced it has played a big part in justifying the expanded format. Three of the four are in the knockout stage.
Format fears
And yet, it's also difficult to argue that the new format has proven a complete triumph. Whatever other benefits, there's no denying that playing 36 games to whittle 24 down to 16 is not a natural fit and it's even led to logistical problems. For example, if final games are played simultaneously for fairness why not in all groups when they have an impact on each other?
Northern Ireland were able to play out a one-goal defeat in the knowledge that it would probably take them through. Turkey knew a two-goal win over Czech Republic would put them above Albania, while the sight of Portugal accepting a result that ultimately left them third highlighted just how much is owed to the luck of the draw with this format.
What next?
The introduction of a 16-team knockout stage has increased the possibility of a lopsided draw and that's how it now looks with five of the six pre-tournament favourites in the same half. Italy, in particular, must be bemused to find themselves likely needing to beat Spain and Germany before the semi-final stage despite winning their group with a game to spare.
But the prospect of some huge games is a welcome one. Italy's match with Belgium and Spain's clash with Croatia were two of the finest games of the group stages. It emphasises the point that for all the intrigue of attack versus defence, it's evenly-matched sides not scorelines that we can look forward to now. Euro 2016 is about to heat up.
