TIME FOR ASSESSMENT – EURO 2016

24 teams, 51 games, 108 goals scored and only one winner. The Euro 2016 which ended Sunday with the victory of Portugal against France leaves a mixed impression between overflow and popular fervor, intense or soporific games. Back a month of competition.

Everything has been said and written about the team of Portugal. "Soporific", "realistic", "defensive", "specialist draws" ... The fact is that Cristiano Ronaldo partners will be able to add a significant line to their list. And mark the history of the Selecção, with the first title on the international stage. Only fourteenth best defense of the tournament behind Poland (5 goals conceded) but third best attack behind France and Wales, Fernando Santos's team was able to develop a game plan that had the merit of taking them until the final victory.

Many observers noted similarities between the austerity of the Greek epic and that of the Portuguese victory. Until the goal of Eder, reminiscent of Charisteas, against Portugal, precisely in 2004.

This first victory in a major tournament rewards a footballing model.

 Based training, today Lusitanian soccer harvest the fruit. At the start of the final five players under 25 were on the lawn (Cedric Soares Renato Sanches, William Carvalho, Raphael Guerreiro and Joao Mario), well supported by Tauliers already present when the final loss of 2004 (Carvalho and Ronaldo). With this victory, "CR7" also written a page of football history by winning his first international title, and takes the ascendancy over his rival, Lionel Messi, who failed to carry Argentina to the podium protocol a great tournament. Looking back, the Portuguese selection is ultimately the most consistent team in the overall tone of the Euro.

One group was born during this competition, despite a sad epilogue. At the start of the tournament, which would objectively focused on a place in the final? Who could reasonably believe a victory by two goals against the German world champions? Did not count on the baraka and science of the game Didier Deschamps, the new complementary Griezmann and Giroud, and the decisiveness of Lloris. Instead of returning to this frustrating defeat in the final of "his" Euro, the France football projects towards 2018 already, with the hope that this golden generation settled at the highest level and continues to rely on his flamboyant attacking line.

Always with Didier Deschamps at the helm, for which the initial target is filled by the federation. The coach will be able to use the next two years to human management, in particular with the fate of Benzema, watching his young shoots grow in the biggest clubs in Europe, and try to find a tactic stability. "Young people will progress and I am very proud of what this group accomplished. I will discuss with my staff and we will leave for what awaits us in two years, "is already planning Didier Deschamps, minutes after the final lost by his own. A defeat as founding act?

It was a bad start. The violent clashes between Russian hooligans and English, in Marseille, on the second day of the tournament, had a fear of blowing wind on security around and inside the stadiums. Overflows caused by the Hungarian extremists have not reassured. If we add the ever-present threat of a potential attack, the tournament start was worrisome.

But Irish fans with their Will Grigg's on Fire have been there. The two Irelands qualified for Euro set fire to the fan-zones, bars and streets throughout their journey. They were supplemented by Icelanders came in numbers - some 10% of the 300 000 inhabitants of the island came to support the Strakarnir okkar - clapping and remain as one of the enduring images of the competition, pitifully imitated by some fans other selections. Overall, the Euro has resulted in beautiful images of joy, disappointment and mutual comfort between supporters.

The Euro is also one of those who made the most full of supporters: 2,427,303 spectators turned out in stadiums, an average of 47,594 spectators per game. This is the best attendance since 1988. This figure reflects the unprecedented number of games played in a Euro to 24 teams.

With an average of 2.1 goals per game, European Nations Championship to 24 teams is one of the lowest standards. For comparison, the Euro 2012 gave an average of 2.5 goals per game, yet with a smaller number of teams. The expansion to 24 teams, wanted by Michel Platini in the first place, resulting in a mixed picture.

The differential between nations traditionally present at international tournaments and "rookies" gave rise to oppositions often closed. A block down against a team that runs the ball. An iron defense to a timid attack. The group matches, but also some knockout matches, have ended in draws soporific. The promising Croatia-Portugal gave birth to a mouse knockout, like the Slovakia-England or Germany-Poland in the group stage.

But football fans were also able to discover some exotic selections, often closed in the world of football. The surprising Hungarians, whose tactical rigor was matched as the offensive quality, have made a great impression. They even helped certainly the most spectacular match of the competition, with the draw (3-3) against Portugal. The two Irelands also seduced by their selflessness and their fighting spirit.

The Icelandic saga has long focused the surprised looks of the most seasoned follower of European football, which had underestimated the quality of Icelandic football. Their presence in the quarterfinals against the hosts gave the Euro a fresh breeze came from the northernmost island of the continent. As for the Dragons in Wales, they surprised their world, getting to the last four of the competition after eliminating Belgium, one of the favorite teams for the final victory (3-1).

SAISI