<
div>According to the late Scottish manager Jock Stein, international football presents different challenges. He compared the qualifying campaign to wearing a boiler suit, working hard to earn the right to change into a dinner suit at the finals.
Stein’s analogy dates back to a time when tournaments were small gatherings, unlike today’s larger events. Back then, the European Championship finals only included eight teams. Qualifying was tough, often involving challenging trips, and powerhouse nations like England, France, Italy, and Spain sometimes failed to qualify in the 1970s and 1980s.
Times have changed. Today, qualifying for major European nations is often a formality rather than a challenge. With 24 teams in Euro 2024, most squads progress from the group stage to the knockout phase, reducing the pressure during the initial games.
GO DEEPER
Euro 2024: Our ranking of all the games in Germany this summer
The real competition in Euro 2024 begins now with the start of the last-16 ties on Saturday.
Despite having played 36 games out of 51, the stakes are now higher as the pressure increases. A single mistake, like a goalkeeping error or a missed penalty, can determine a team’s fate.
Portugal lost to Georgia in the group stage, but will anyone remember? (Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Portugal’s midfielder Bernardo Silva mentioned that the group stage results often do not define the tournament’s outcome. The focus shifts to stability and a bit of luck in the knockout stages.
Out of the last 16 teams, only Spain boasts a 100% record in Euro 2024, having triumphed over strong opponents like Croatia, Italy, and Albania. Despite their strong start, there is a delicate balance as peaking too soon can be risky.
Spain’s coach Luis de la Fuente remains cautious, emphasizing the challenges ahead with the best 16 teams remaining in the tournament. Success in the knockout stages requires prudence and consistency, knowing the unpredictable nature of football.
GO DEEPER
Euro 2024 group stage analysed: Fast starts, back threes and why so many own goals?
Teams in the tournament must find the right balance between starting strong and peaking at the optimal time to secure victory.
The national football team of Brazil won their first two games, then defeated Poland in the semi-finals and West Germany in the final to become champions.
Portugal had a rough start at Euro 2016 but gradually improved by beating Croatia, Poland, Wales, and France in the final to become the unlikely champions.
France faced criticism initially in the 2018 World Cup but progressed through the knockout stages to beat Croatia in the final and claim the title.
Argentina’s World Cup journey in Qatar began with a defeat against Saudi Arabia.
Teams like England, France, Italy, Belgium, and the Netherlands may not necessarily perform well at Euro 2024 initially, but past examples show that early performances do not always indicate final outcomes.
The knockout phase of the tournament poses tough challenges for teams like France, Belgium, Portugal, Germany, and Spain, while the other side of the bracket appears comparatively easier.
Various teams face the pressure to improve their performances rapidly to succeed in the competition.
Despite initial setbacks, teams can make strategic changes and adaptations to improve their performance in the tournament.
The ability of a team to perform under pressure and overcome challenges becomes crucial in high-stakes matches.
Euro 2024 is entering a critical phase where teams will need to step up their game to succeed in the competition.
