The UEFA Executive Committee today approved the expansion of the final tournament of the UEFA European Championship from 16 to 24 teams, as from the 2016 edition.
Expanded format
The format of the final tournament will consist of six groups of four teams, followed by a round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals and the final. The top two from each group would qualify in addition to the four best third-ranked sides. This format would generate a total of 51 games, compared with the 31 now, played over a period of 29 to 31 days depending on the match schedule. This historic decision gives middle-ranked countries a much greater chance to qualify for the final tournament. The traditional qualifying format, with groups of six and five teams, will remain in place.
sursa: http://www.UEFA.com/UEFA/keytopics/kind=64...sid=754190.html
Acuma, tot sistemul ãsta (identic cu cel al Cupelor Mondiale din 1986, 1990 și 1994) mi se pare o idioțenie. Asta înseamnã cã jumate dintre echipele din UEFA sã participe la turneul final. Ca și cum la Cupa Mondialã ar participa 100 de echipe. Mãcar de ar fi fost 4 grupe a câte 6 echipe, din care sã se califice tot 2, ca și pânã acum. Dar treaba asta cu o parte dintre echipele de pe locul 3 calificate, e o aiurealã.
