So, that’s it! Euro 2016 is done and dusted. A month of top-notch football came to an end after Portugal defeated hosts France to lift the cup for the first time courtesy of an Eder stunner in the 109th minute. The tournament had its share of highs and lows. From the spine-chilling Viking clap to the disgusting fan fights, France played host to over 6 million football-crazy fans in 30 days.
However unruly the fans were, the teams didn’t let them down. The players poured their blood, sweat, and tears into the game and gave it everything. A few teams enjoyed a fabulous tournament while others were disappointing. There were a few stories which could be told for generations to come. Let us take a look at five such stories which are worth reading again and again:
1) Iceland
By far the biggest success story in the competition, Iceland have well and truly left a mark on the biggest stage in Europe. According to most pundits, Group F was the easiest group to pick; Portugal as winners, Austria as runners-up and a tussle for the third place between minnows Hungary and Iceland. To everyone's surprise, the two minnows Hungary and Iceland finished first and second respectively. Iceland were particularly impressive.
They irritated Ronaldo and company to sneak a 1-1 draw in their first group game. They were unlucky in their second group fixture after a late Hungary goal resulted in another 1-1 draw. The nordic team needed a win against Austria to qualify for the knockout stages. Exceeding all expectations, they won the game 2-1 and qualified as second placed finishers, a feat which is considered extraordinary for a country consisting of three hundred thousand people.
However, they saved their best for last and upset England in the round of 16 stage courtesy of a 2-1 win. The victory was considered to be the biggest upset in the tournament’s history. As all good things must come to an end, Iceland were brought back to Earth by a ruthless French side which crushed them 5-2 in the quarterfinals. But, what a legacy they left!
They gave us the Viking Clap and the detailed knowledge of their nation’s demographic. But most of all, they reasserted the fact that a well-trained team working in Harmony can always beat a collection of overrated individuals. The world waits expectantly on their next adventure.
2) Wales
Before the start of the tournament, Group B was a foregone conclusion. Football giants England were tipped to win and Slovakia were favorites to grab the runners-up position. But, noisy neighbors Wales had other plans. The Dragon’s started their campaign with a gutsy 2-1 victory over Slovakia.
In their next fixture, they gave England a real scare and were unlucky to lose the game. Wales arrived with all guns blazing and ripped past a hapless Russia side 3-0 in their final group encounter. They topped their group courtesy of England’s draw with Slovakia. Reaching the round of 16 as group winners was a massive achievement for a country playing in its first international competition in 58 years.
They beat Northern Ireland 1-0 and booked their spot in the quarter-finals. Facing Belgium (ranked 2 in the world) was their biggest challenge yet. An inspired Aaron Ramsey led the team to a famous 3-1 victory over the perennial underachievers and found themselves facing Portugal in the semi-finals.
They held Ronaldo’s team at bay for 50 minutes, but, their fairytale came to an end after the Selecao scored twice in three minutes to knock them out of the tournament. Reaching the semi-final stage of an international tournament is no mean feat.
This was above and beyond the hopes of their most optimistic supporter. Chris Coleman and company must feel proud of what they have achieved this summer.
3) Portugal
Few had tipped Portugal for success this summer, and there was a long line of people who had changed their mind after they finished third in their group. They opened their campaign with a disappointing 1-1 draw against minnows Iceland.
Things got worse in the game against Austria where Ronaldo missed a slew of chances (including a penalty) and the team settled for a goalless draw. They escaped with a 3-3 draw in their final group game, having stared elimination in the face by Hungary.
They scraped through to the round of 16 stage as a result of goal difference. With canny tactical switches, admirable management, and great leadership, Portugal claimed unlikely victories against Croatia and Poland to qualify for the semi-finals.
After a close first half against Wales, Portugal stepped up a gear and ran riot in the second half. A couple of goals in quick time ensured them a place in Sunday's showpiece event against hosts France. An Eder stunner gave them the spoils and moved the Portuguese into the sixth position in the recent Fifa Rankings list.
4) Hungary
No one had fancied Hungary to go past the group stages in France. After less than a minute gone in their first match, Hungary were almost down a goal after a David Alaba effort crashed into the post. Had the ball been a bit further to the left, their tournament could have turned out a whole lot different. But, with every passing minute, the Magyars gained more confidence and gelled as a team.
They dominated Austria in the second half, beating them 2-0. They were lucky to get a point against Iceland after scoring a late equalizer.
Their game against eventual winners Portugal was one of most entertaining games in the tournament. The game saw six goals, three for each team. They took the lead three times but were pegged back by three equalisers.
The solitary point was enough for the Magyars to top their group, a feat which was deemed unachievable at the start of the tournament. They bowed out of the tournament in the round of 16 stage after a 4-0 loss to Belgium. They did exit with their heads held high. Hungary a have a real structure and a real bright future.
5) Northern Ireland
On 27 May 2011, there were 529 supporters present in a fifty-one thousand capacity stadium for a friendly match contested between Wales and Northern Ireland. Five years down the line, over sixty thousand supporters turned up to cheer for the same two teams, this time in the round of 16 stage in the Euros. This shows how far Northern Ireland have come in the intervening years.
After a fabulous qualifying round, Ireland were grouped with Germany, Poland and Ukraine. After narrow defeats to Germany and Poland, the Irish beat the mighty Ukrainians for a spot in the knockout stages. They delivered big time in a 2-0 victory and qualified for the round of 16 stage in their first ever appearance at the Euros. Northern Ireland hosted a brilliant individual performer; Michael McGovern was the standout keeper in the tournament, making plenty of saves against Germany and Ukraine.
They were unfortunate to get knocked out in the pre-quarterfinal stage against Wales, courtesy of an own goal. As for the 529 Irish supporters, their voices may not rise above the din, but they have reason to be cheering louder than anyone.
