Having covered European football for over a decade, I've always found the Championship's format to be one of the most brilliantly stressful creations in sports. Just last tournament, I found myself thinking about that quote from Portugal's veteran defender Pepe during their 2016 campaign: "I've been here lots of times. Back against the wall, we're not backing down." That mentality perfectly captures what makes this competition so special - it's not just about technical brilliance, but about survival, adaptation, and that relentless fighting spirit that defines European football at its best.
The tournament structure has evolved significantly since I first started following it in 2004, expanding from 16 to 24 teams in 2016. This expansion created more opportunities for underdog stories while maintaining the intense knockout pressure that defines the latter stages. The current format begins with six groups of four teams each, where every match matters tremendously since only the top two from each group automatically advance, along with the four best third-placed teams. This creates scenarios where teams often find themselves with their "backs against the wall" from the very beginning, needing to fight for every point. I've always appreciated how this format rewards consistency while still allowing for dramatic comebacks - it's why we see teams like Switzerland and Croatia punching above their weight tournament after tournament.
When we reach the knockout phase, that's where the real drama unfolds. The single-elimination format means there's absolutely no room for error - one bad performance and you're heading home. I've witnessed too many favorites crumble under this pressure while underdogs thrive. The quarterfinals, semifinals, and final all follow this win-or-go-home structure, creating moments of pure footballing theater. What many casual viewers don't realize is that there's no second leg - unlike Champions League knockouts - which means every decision, every substitution, every tactical adjustment carries immense weight. I particularly love how this tests managers' abilities to make real-time decisions under extreme pressure.
The rules themselves contain some fascinating nuances that even seasoned fans sometimes miss. The tournament uses VAR consistently since its full implementation in 2021, though I have mixed feelings about how it's affected the flow of some matches. Squad rules are particularly interesting - each team names 26 players initially, but must reduce to 23 before the tournament begins. There are specific protocols for COVID replacements, though hopefully we won't need those again. The disciplinary system is worth noting too - two yellow cards across different matches leads to a suspension, resetting after the quarterfinals. I've seen this rule completely change team strategies in crucial matches.
Looking ahead to future tournaments, I'm convinced the current format strikes the right balance between inclusivity and maintaining competitive intensity. The 24-team structure means we get to see emerging football nations while preserving the quality that makes this tournament so compelling. Having attended multiple Championships across different host countries, what continues to amaze me is how this format consistently produces unforgettable stories. Whether it's Greece's miraculous 2004 victory or Portugal's 2016 triumph against all odds, the structure ensures that every team has to "prepare for Game 3" as Pepe said, and "fight until the end" regardless of their circumstances. That combination of strategic complexity and raw determination is what keeps bringing me back to cover this magnificent tournament year after year.
