Join us as we count down our 5 Biggest Shocks of Euro 2016, hours before the Final Kicks Off between France and Portugal.
5. Harry Kane
Many thought that Harry Kane would be a key figure in England‘s Euro 2016 Campaign. Many were right to believe that, after the Spurs Forward scored 25 League goals last season as Spurs emerged as Challengers to Leicester’s unlikely Title triumph. Euro 2016, for whatever reason just was not Harry Kane’s tournament. Whether it was due to burnout after playing so many games for Spurs last season, or just being terribly out of form, Kane’s performances were a far cry from the performances that won him the Premier League’s Top Goalscorer. Kane was virtually anonymous in the games he played, attracting attention only for the baffling decision for him to take set pieces. Kane will bounce back from this disappointment, and will become a better player for it.
4.Portugal making the final (Despite Only Winning One Game In Normal Time)
This is not to discredit Portugal and their efforts, but to make the final of Euro 2016 by winning just one game in Normal Time is something that is shocking. Portugal qualified Third from their Group after Drawing their opening 3 Games, meeting Croatia in the Round of 16. They needed a Goal late in Extra Time by Ricardo Quaresma to help them through, whilst they beat Poland on Penalties in the Quarter-Finals. Their one and only win was their Semi-Final victory over Wales, with goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani putting them through to tonight’s Final against France.
3. Heroic Wales
[bctt tweet=”Wales making the Semi-Final was not only a shock, but one of the Highlights of the whole Tournament. Read our most shocking moments of Euro 2016 Here:” via=”no”]. They topped their Group, finishing above England despite suffering a late Defeat to them. They met Northern Ireland in the Round of 16 as a result, winning 1-0 to progress. By far their most impressive performance was against Belgium in the Quarter-Finals, as they were to run out 3-1 Winners. Although they went down 2-0 to Portugal in the Semis, Wales should not feel disheartened. Their performances will long be remembered by Wales fans, and rightly so. After qualifying for their First International Tournament for 58 years, nobody could of expected them to have done this well. This could just be the start for Wales, and they will surely be confident of getting to the 2018 World Cup and making an impression their too. The spirit, selflessness and solidarity that Wales played with and displayed was great to view, and every single member of their squad can be proud of their efforts.
2. Iceland
It was well documented that Iceland were the smallest Nation at Euro 2016. For that reason alone, People were quick to label them as potential whipping boys of their Group, but they proved everybody wrong. 1-1 Draws with Portugal and Hungary, before a 2-1 win against Austria saw them Qualify from their Group. That was amazing in itself, but Iceland weren’t done there, as they knocked England out in the Round of 16. Their Quarter-Final Defeat against France may of left a sour taste in the mouth to most nations, but Iceland players Hero Status had already been secured long before that 5-2 Loss. They may not of been pretty to watch, but their story was truly beautiful to behold.
1. Fan Violence
For a country that had just suffered a terrible attack a few months before Euro 2016, it was anticipated that security was going to be ultra tight and as a result Euro 2016 would go without problems. However, the first few weeks of the Tournament were nothing but chaotic, with incidents of Fan violence commonplace. There was an incident at the end of the England V Russia game were Russians stormed the England fan section, horrific footage uploaded of people being attacked whilst on the floor, and flares being set off during several games. Fan violence is always shocking, but it was even more shocking given the circumstances.
