Introduction
The UEFA European Championship, commonly referred to as the Euros or the Euro Cup, is a quadrennial football tournament that brings together the best European national teams to compete for the prestigious trophy. Over the years, the tournament has witnessed numerous upsets, with underdog teams defying the odds to stun the favorites. This raises the question, are upsets a regular occurrence at every Euro Cup?
The History of Upsets at Euro Cup
The Euro Cup has a rich history of upsets, dating back to the inaugural tournament in 1960. Soviet Union, who were not considered one of the tournament favorites, went on to lift the trophy after defeating Yugoslavia in the final. Four years later, a similar scenario unfolded, with Spain being crowned champions after overcoming Yugoslavia in the title match.
One of the most memorable upsets in Euro Cup history happened in 2004, where Greece, a team that had never won a major trophy, clinched the championship title after overcoming Portugal in the final. In 2016, another major upset occurred when Iceland, making their debut in the tournament, knocked out England in the round of 16.
Factors Contributing to Upsets
Several factors contribute to upsets in the Euro Cup. One of the critical factors is the format of the tournament. Unlike most major leagues, where teams face each other twice, the Euro Cup is a knockout competition. This means that even the favorites can be eliminated in a single game, increasing the chances of upsets.
The tournament's scheduling is another critical factor contributing to upsets. Teams that face each other in the group stages may have different rest days, leading to fatigue or injury, resulting in an upset. Moreover, teams can also underestimate their opponents, leading to complacency and, ultimately, an upset.
Analysing the Favorites for Euro Cup 2020
As we await the Euro Cup 2020, which was postponed to 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it's essential to identify the potential favorites and potential upsets. Defending champions Portugal, led by the prolific Cristiano Ronaldo, are among the favorites to clinch the trophy.
France, the current World Cup champions, are also among the bookmakers' favorites, boasting a squad laden with stars such as Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann and N’Golo Kante. Other countries such as Belgium, Germany, and Spain are also among the favorites to go all the way.
However, despite the favorites' tag, there is always a chance of an upset, as we have seen in previous tournaments. Underdog teams such as Iceland and Greece have shocked the football world before, and it's not far-fetched to imagine a similar scenario happening at Euro Cup 2020.
Conclusion
The Euro Cup is a tournament that always promises to deliver excitement and drama, with upsets being a regular occurrence. While some factors, such as the competition's format, contribute to the likelihood of upsets, there is no denying that football is unpredictable, and anything can happen on the pitch. As we look forward to Euro Cup 2020, it will be worth keeping an eye on the underdog teams, as they could very well provide the tournament's biggest surprises.
