Published on June 27, 2024 at 12:34 p.m. / Modified on June 27, 2024 at 12:35 p.m.
We can compare a football Euro to the launch of a space rocket. At first, this large piece of machinery starts in a deluge of noise and flames. The building rises slowly, piercing the rumble by producing an impressive plume of smoke. This is the most spectacular but least decisive part. One by one, the non-essential stages are jettisoned while the rocket continues its trajectory. Meanwhile, at the top, those who will make it to the end of the journey do nothing, or almost nothing. They endure, heckled by the expected Gs, knowing that their turn will come.
Since it is played with 24 teams (2016), the European Nations Championship has been this multi-stage rocket. A competition cut into two, or even three distinct sections. After 36 matches, which only served to eliminate eight teams, the first phase is finally over. Finally, because after a fairly exciting start (16 goals in the first four matches), it quickly became the realm of calculation and minimalism. In total, 81 goals were scored (seven from penalties), a fairly low average of 2.25 goals per match (2.68 goals per match during the 2022 World Cup and 2.78 goals per match during the 2022 World Cup). Euro 2020+1). There were 14 draws, including seven in the 12 matchday three matches, where the goal average fell to 1.66 per game.
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