Introduction

The UEFA Euro 2020, which was delayed for a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, was finally held from June 11 to July 11, 2021, in 11 different cities throughout Europe. This year's European Championship was the first to be held in different countries, rather than being hosted by a single country or joint-host nations. The tournament saw 24 teams compete to be crowned champions of Europe. In this article, we will assess this year's European Championship and take a look at its highlights and lowlights.

Highs of the Tournament

One of the highs of this year's Euro was the quality of football that was on display throughout the tournament. Some of the best teams in the world took part, and there were plenty of exciting matches with end-to-end action and high-scoring affairs.

The tournament saw many upsets and surprises, with several underdog teams such as Switzerland and Denmark surpassing expectations and reaching the quarterfinals and semifinals, respectively. Italy was one of the standout teams of the tournament, winning all seven of their games and putting in a dominating performance in the final against England to win their second European Championship.

The atmosphere in the stadiums was fantastic, with fans returning in large numbers after being absent for the majority of the previous season. The passion and energy on display from supporters created a memorable tournament experience, even for those watching from home.

Lows of the Tournament

Unfortunately, there were some dark moments during this year's Euro. The most notable was the incident involving Danish player Christian Eriksen who suffered a cardiac arrest during a match. The incident sent shockwaves around the footballing world, and there were concerns for Eriksen's life. It was a sobering reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of health and safety in sport.

The tournament was also marred by acts of racism, both on and off the pitch. Several players were subjected to racial abuse on social media, and there were incidents of fans booing players for taking a knee in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. Such acts highlight the need for continued efforts to combat racism in football and society as a whole.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this year's European Championship was a tournament of highs and lows. The quality of football on display was impressive, and there were plenty of memorable moments and matches. However, the tournament was also overshadowed by the distressing incident involving Eriksen and the disturbing acts of racism that continue to plague football.

Overall, the tournament was a success, and it provided a welcome relief for football fans around the world who had been starved of live football for over a year. Let us hope that the next edition of the Euro will be remembered only for its positive aspects and that football will continue to bring joy and unite people across the globe.