Spare a thought for the big guys.
The expansion of the European Championships has been a mixed success. The old format of 16 teams made for a much crisper tournament, with more goals, higher quality games and more “attacking” football.
A team like Portugal, who finished third in their group, would’ve been long gone from the tournament, rather than preparing to play the final.
However, the 24 team format has also led to great stories such as Iceland’s journey to the quarter-finals, Wales’ semi-final run and the respective campaigns of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Many would argue that the tournament, while it may have lacked the high quality games of previous incarnations of the Euros, has been all the better for the contribution of the so-called minnows.
However, Germany certainly don’t share that view.
Following the world champions elimination to France in the semi-finals on Thursday night, Germany manager Joachim Loew took aim at the expanded format of the competition.
“I think 24 teams are too many,” Loew said.
“The World Cup’s going to be increased to 40 teams and it’s getting more and more, and that’s a problem in the long term. Sometimes you get the feeling it’s not doing football any good. The quality is suffering.”
While Loew has a point, it could be argued Germany’s elimination had nothing to do with the expanded format of the competition It’s possible Loew has been waiting to make his feelings known about the expanded Euros for a while, and could finally scratch the itch now they’re eliminated.
Germany defender Mats Hummels echoed his manager’s views.
“The level at this European Championship was not what we had hoped for. There were many teams who didn’t want to do anything with the ball and just packed men behind the ball.”
