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Soccer

Portugal's run to the Euro 2016 semi-final has made some unwanted history

The European Championship is a tournament that has had various formats. Since 1984, at least eigh...



Portugal's run to the Euro...
Soccer

Portugal's run to the Euro 2016 semi-final has made some unwanted history

The European Championship is a tournament that has had various formats.

Since 1984, at least eight teams have taken part in the tournament, before the knockout stages begin. That increased to 16 teams at Euro '96 in England and then to 24 teams for Euro 2016.

The 24-team format has made it easier for teams to qualify form the group stages and reach the Second Round. For Portugal, they made history as the only team to reach the semi-finals without winning a game in 90 minutes.

Portugal's three group games all ended in draws, before their 1-0 extra-time win over Croatia. A penalty shoot-out win against Poland booked their place in the last four.

While the expanded tournament has brought some excellent stories such as Iceland and Wales, it also had help average teams do better than they would have previously.

It's doubtful whether Fernando Santos and his players care though.

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