Euro 2020 has been an extremely fun tournament to watch. Here we look at five of the most interesting stats to come from the tournament so far.
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Euro 2020 has continued in the footsteps of the FIFA World Cup 2018 and been an extremely fun tournament to watch. The continental cup has featured a number of good matches and many memorable solo performances too. However, the tournament has also been a goldmine of interesting stats. Using statistics in football can sometimes be tough, due to the low scoring nature of the game. But that doesn’t mean people will show no interest in the stats! In fact, this edition of the Euros has seen a few statistical anomalies thus far.
Here we look at five of the most interesting stats to come from the tournament so far.
There’s few things as good in football as a well-timed headed goal. The timing of the run, the contact between ball and head… it all makes for an excellent spectacle. It’s also a good way to take advantage of teams expecting you to play possession-based football.
Well, as it turns out, most teams in Euro 2020 would agree with this statement. The tournament has thus far seen a whopping 24 headed goals, the most in a single edition of the tournament. Given England are in the semis, expect this number to go up.
24 – There have been 24 headed goals scored at #EURO2020, the most in a single edition of the competition in its history. Loaf. #CZEDEN
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) July 3, 2021
Czech Republic’s surprise run to the quarterfinals was one of the more pleasant surprises of the Euros. Central to that run was striker Patrik Schick, who will forever be remembered for scoring from the halfway line against Scotland. However, he did so much more than score just that one wonder goal.
Schick’s goal against Denmark in the quarters was his fifth – meaning he became the ninth player to score 5 or more goals in the European Championships. He also became the second Czech player after Milan Baros to notch up the feat.
Much has been made about England being too conservative and not adventurous enough in the early parts of the Euros. The argument is not without merit, especially given the wealth of attacking talent at the team’s disposal. However, a solid defence is key to any side’s championship winning aspirations.
In fact, England’s 4-0 win over Ukraine saw them become the first side to keep five straight clean sheets in the Euros. ‘It’s coming home’ might be said in jest by some, but England are a now serious contender and may well go the distance.
Denis Zakaria became the 10th player to score an own goal in the Euros when he put the ball into his own net against Spain. Even considering how intricate attacking patterns are used almost regularly, it is still a massive number of times for players to score against their own side.
This is made even weirder by the fact that, in all the European Championships held prior to 2020, the combined number of own goals was 9. That means this tournament has seen more own goals than every other Euros combined!
Denmark’s run to the semis has been extremely heartwarming. Their talismanic playmaker Christian Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest in the opening game against Finland, leading to many a scary moment for the players as well as fans. He recovered, but took no further part in the Euros.
Yet Denmark, inspired to put on a good show for their talisman, have been imperious. In fact, them reaching the semi-finals is itself noteworthy. This is the first time since 1992 they have reached this far, making it the longest gap between successive last-four appearances.
Oh, and Denmark won the Euros in 1992 too. Just saying.
