With the round-of-16 wrapping up of Euro 2016, we wave goodbye to 8 more sides whose dream of lifting the trophy has come to and end. But how did they get on? Did they meet expectations? Did they over perform? Let us have a look and grade the performances:
Switzerland
The first side to exit in this round of 16 at the hands of Poland in a dramatic game that saw probably one of the goals of the tournament. But they made tough work getting out of the group to make it that far. 10 man Albania gave them a bit of a scare in the opening game of Group A, and the Albanians would have been well worth a point at the very least that day.
They fulfilled the expectations of making it out the group stage and unfortunately came undone against a decent side in Poland, but failed to really show their full potential as a whole.
Star man: Granit Xhaka.
Despite the penalty miss against Poland, he was the heartbeat of the Swiss side this summer. Two man of the match performances in the group stage is enough to stand out amongst his team mates.
Best Moment: Shaqiri goal vs Poland.
The Stoke City winger is undoubtedly a talented player but fails to show it on a consistent enough level. But this moment of magic to put his side back on level terms may go down as the goal of the tournament. No ones suggesting he score overhead kicks every week, but it makes you wonder if he can show moments of quality like this more often where would he be?
Overall Grade: C+
Croatia
Croatia impressed most in this tournament; they looked solid in the group stage despite their collapse against the Czech Republic. They also got a decent scalp in the form of Spain in the last game of the group. But a lacklustre performance in one of the dullest game of the tournament saw them exit at the hands of Portugal.
They were a dark horse for many and will be disappointed not to make it further than the round of 16. Especially considering they faced a Portugal side that haven’t been able to find their feet at this tournament. A win against Spain isn’t enough to hide the failures, unfortunately.
Star man: Vedran Corluka
A rock at the back for Croatia at times the tournament. None more so than the Turkey game in which he put his body on the line time and time again, a true centre halves performance. Was also one of the only men to impress in the Portugal game. There’s life in the old dog still.
Best Moment: Perisic goal vs Spain.
Spain hadn’t lost a game in the Euros since 2004. So to beat the double winners is a very impressive trait. Perisic’s strike may have came off Gerard Pique and fooled David de Gea on one of his wobbly nights, but they all count and it has to be their finest moment this year.
Overall Grade: C+
Northern Ireland
They weren’t expected to even make the tournament his summer, so to make the knockout rounds is quite exceptional. Their opening game against Poland was a disappointing one and they looked like a side scared to embarrass themselves more than anything. But after that game they sprung into life to pick up 3 points against Ukraine.
They way they went out was cruel, an own goal to a fellow home nation must be sickening, but overall against Wales, they were at times the better side so ultimately they can go home with their heads held high.
Star Man: Michael McGovern
The former Hamilton Academical goalkeeper Pulled off a world-class performance against the World Champions to keep the score down and secure their place in the last 16. It is a certainty that he will get offers from a few top clubs once he returns home.
Best Moment: Niall McGinn goal vs Ukraine
The second goal of the game for Northern Ireland, and the goal that secured their only win of the tournament. Ukraine weren’t great in the tournament but they are still a side to be respected. So for Northern Ireland to get the win really is a fair achievement.
Overall Grade – B
Republic of Ireland
The country with potentially the best fans at the tournament went home after losing 2-1 to hosts France on Sunday. But they too can be proud of what they achieved in the Euro’s this year.
A draw against Sweden and a dramatic win against Italy more than justified their place in the last 16, but the 3-0 loss to Belgium can’t be ignored and showed their limitations to go beyond the round of 16.
Star Man: Robbie Brady
The Norwich City man pulled off some brilliant moments for the Boys in Green, none more so important than the winner against Italy to get out the group. His goal against France gave his nation hopes that their story may have had one more chapter, but it was not to be.
Best Moment: Robbie Brady goal vs Italy.
Ireland knew they needed to win in order to progress to the next round, and while the Italy side was full of rotated players it was still a tough side to beat. So for Robbie Brady to pop up with that header in the dying embers of the match truly will go down as one of Irelands greatest international moments.
Overall Grade – B+
Slovakia
Slovakia frustrated at times this tournament but they also showed some great attacking movements and individual moments of quality. However, too many times they stepped back and invited teams onto them, which is understandable when defending a 1-goal lead against Russia in the last ten minutes. But totally unforgivable when they did it for 90 minutes against England to gain a point.
They were however outclassed against Germany in the knockout stages, something which was bound to happen.
Star Man: Marek Hamsik
It was always going to be Marek Hamsik, you do wonder how their tournament could have panned out had Ben Davies not blocked the Napoli man’s effort off the line early Vs Wales. But he can be happy with his performances overall despite the fact he was shackled by a system that wouldn’t let him flourish.
Best Moment: Marek Hamsik goal vs Russia.
Again the Napoli man showed his talent to score from the narrowest of angles to set his side up for the 3 points, and their only win of the tournament. If only he was allowed to do this more often.
Overall Grade: C-
Hungary
After a credible campaign in the group stage, many pundits saw Hungary as a dark horse to progress into the latter stages of the tournament. However, they were undone by a Belgium side who decided they wanted to play nice with each other on the day.
So while they can be impressed with the progress they made they should also be looking at ways to improve the side they have at the moment as it is showing clear signs of ageing. But nevertheless conceding 4 goals in a tournament match is embarrassing and it’s back to the drawing board for them.
Star man: Balazs Dzsudzsak
The Bursaspor man was the top scorer for Hungary with 2 goals. Although both came in the one match his contribution to the side can’t be underplayed. Unfortunately, he couldn’t carry them beyond Belgium, who for most of the game looked likely to concede an equaliser.
Best moment: 2-0 win Vs Austria
It’s always important to get off to winning start at a tournament and they did it with an impressive victory against a half decent Austria side which set them up nicely to qualify from the group as winners and sent Austria on a decline that saw them pick up just 1 point.
Overall Grade: B-
Spain
Spain are in trouble. 2008, 2010, and 2012 saw them lift trophies but the 2014 World Cup and this year’s Euros have seen them stutter and fail to meet their own high standards. They lost back-to-back European Championship games for the first time since the 80’s and apart from one performance against a disinterested Turkey side they never looked like they were in control of games.
It could be that world football has found Spain out; their system carried and served them well for a number of years but Del Bosque needs to now work out something new to compete.
Star man: Alvaro Morata
To be honest, Morata went missing against Italy so it’s difficult to give him this award. But he did score a brace against Turkey and was their only attacking outlet. Iniesta ran him close but goals are the most valued commodity in football so it must be rewarded. The boy has a future and will hopefully look at his positives from this tournament and build on that.
Best moment: Morata second goal vs Turkey.
Goals are hard to come by in international tournaments. And this seemed to set Spain up to kick on for the rest of the tournament. Some neat passing play and selflessness from Jordi Alba saw Morata get his first Spain hat trick and give Spain another 3 points.
Overall Grade: F
England
England have failed this tournament. There are no other words to describe it I’m afraid. Everyone expected England to turn Iceland over, especially since their performances as a team weren’t half bad in the group stages, they just needed to find their shooting boots. However, the trend continued against Iceland in the round of 16.
Star man: Eric Dier
To be honest, did anyone deserve to be recognised for their performance? Not particularly. Kyle Walker was close for his group stage performances but his defensive error for Iceland’s second goal pushed him down the pecking order.
But Eric Dier gave England hope for the tournament with a stunning free kick against Russia; unfortunately, the rest of his team took no confidence from that piece of magic and refused to find the net consistently afterwards. The boy is a talent; for England to try and rely on him is unfair.
Best moment: Daniel Sturridge goal Vs Wales.
To score a winner in the last minutes of a tournament match is always a thrilling moment in football. England were well deserving off their win against Wales and I genuinely thought it was a turning point for their tournament. It just turned into yet another false start, however. Take nothing away from Sturridge in this goal, however, he took it well and added to his tally.
Overall Grade - F
