Euro Cup Schedule
The Euro Cup, also known as the UEFA European Championship, is one of the most prestigious football tournaments in the world. Held every four years, it features the best national teams from Europe competing for the coveted trophy. The 2016 tournament, held in France, culminated in a thrilling final between Portugal and the host nation. Portugal emerged victorious with a 1-0 win in extra time, securing their first major international title.
The semi-finals saw Portugal defeat Wales 2-0 in Lyon, while France overcame Germany 2-0 in Marseille. These matches set the stage for the final showdown in Saint-Denis.
The quarter-finals were filled with dramatic moments. Portugal needed penalties to overcome Poland after a 1-1 draw, while Wales produced a stunning upset by defeating Belgium 3-1. Germany also required penalties to progress past Italy following a 1-1 draw, and France secured a comfortable 5-2 victory against Iceland.
The round of 16 witnessed several closely contested matches. Poland edged out Switzerland on penalties after a 1-1 draw, while Wales secured a narrow 1-0 win over Northern Ireland. Portugal needed extra time to defeat Croatia 1-0, and France came from behind to beat the Republic of Ireland 2-1. Germany dominated Slovakia with a 3-0 victory, Belgium cruised past Hungary 4-0, Italy secured a 2-0 win against Spain, and Iceland caused a major upset by defeating England 2-1.
The group stage featured 36 matches across six groups. Notable results included France’s opening 2-1 win over Romania, Wales’ impressive 2-1 victory against Slovakia, and Germany’s 2-0 win over Ukraine. The group stage also saw defending champions Spain lose to Croatia in a thrilling 2-1 encounter. Iceland, in their first major tournament appearance, drew with Portugal 1-1 and secured a historic 2-1 victory over Austria. These are just a few highlights from a group stage that set the stage for the knockout rounds.
The tournament began with the group stage, where 24 teams were divided into six groups of four. Each team played every other team in their group once, with the top two teams from each group and the four best third-placed teams advancing to the knockout stage. The knockout stage consisted of the round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final. The Euro Cup 2016 showcased the talent and passion of European football, with memorable goals, dramatic upsets, and passionate displays of national pride.
The intense competition and high quality of play made it a tournament to remember for football fans worldwide. From the opening match to the final whistle, the Euro Cup delivered excitement and drama.