Introduction
The highly anticipated UEFA European Championship has finally come to a close, with Italy clinching the title in a nail-biting finale against England. The tournament, which was originally scheduled for 2020 but postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, was held in 11 cities across Europe and had 24 teams competing for the coveted trophy. In this article, we will assess the current edition of the UEFA European Championship and highlight the highs and lows of the tournament.
Format
The format of the tournament remained largely unchanged from previous editions, with 24 teams divided into six groups of four. The top two teams from each group, as well as the four best third-placed teams, advanced to the knockout stage of the tournament. This format allowed for more teams to participate and ensured that every team had a chance to progress to the later stages of the tournament. However, the number of teams also meant that there were some lopsided matches with one team dominating the other, which may have led to a lack of excitement for some fans.
Surprise Performances
One of the highlights of this year's tournament was the standout performances of several unexpected teams. Switzerland shocked the world by eliminating France, one of the tournament favorites, in a penalty shootout in the round of 16. Denmark reached the semi-finals after a slow start to the tournament, which was fueled by the team's resilience and passion after the harrowing incident with Christian Eriksen. And Ukraine made it to the quarter-finals for the first time in their history, displaying an attacking style of play that made them a joy to watch.
Star Performances
The tournament also saw several star players shine on the international stage. Cristiano Ronaldo led Portugal to the knockout stage with five goals, becoming the all-time top scorer in European Championship history. Kevin De Bruyne was instrumental in Belgium's run to the quarter-finals with his creativity and vision on the ball. And Italy's goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was named Player of the Tournament after his heroics in the final against England, where he saved two penalties in the shootout.
Controversies
No major tournament can go without controversies, and the 2020 UEFA European Championship was no exception. One of the most controversial moments of the tournament was Cristiano Ronaldo's decision to remove a Coca-Cola bottle during a press conference, which led to a drop in the company's market value. The decision to deny Ukraine a goal due to offside in the quarter-final match against England was also criticized, as well as the use of VAR, which led to several contentious decisions throughout the tournament.
Conclusion
All in all, the current edition of the UEFA European Championship provided fans with plenty of excitement, drama, and memorable moments. The tournament showcased the strengths and weaknesses of the participating teams, and allowed some surprise performers to shine. With the next tournament scheduled for 2024, football fans around the world can look forward to another thrilling competition in the years to come.
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