ABSTRACT

In 2008 and 2014, UEFA decided to change the formats of its men’s national team competitions, with effect from Euro 2016. This article aims to evaluate the efficiency of these changes with two concepts related to outcome uncertainty: competitive balance and intensity. The study focuses on intra-match competitive balance and intensity in Euros 2012 and 2016 qualifying and final rounds. Results show that both dimensions have significantly increased between Euros 2012 and 2016 qualifying rounds. Besides, Euro 2016 final round was more intense than previously. In addition, the establishment of the Nations League in 2018 generated more games with sporting prizes. The changes made by UEFA have improved competitive intensity and encouraged competitive balance in European men’s national team games. This is consistent with UEFA’s objective to promote football in a spirit of unity and solidarity. UEFA could communicate on these positive evolutions to its stakeholders.

摘要

2008 年和 2014 年，欧足联决定改变其男子国家队比赛的形式，从 2016 年欧洲杯开始生效。本文旨在通过与结果不确定性相关的两个概念来评估这些变化的效率：竞争平衡和强度。该研究侧重于 2012 年和 2016 年欧洲杯预选赛和决赛中的比赛内竞争平衡和强度。结果显示，在 2012 年和 2016 年欧洲杯预选赛之间，这两个维度都显着增加。此外，2016年欧洲杯决赛轮比以往更加激烈。此外，2018 年国家联盟的成立产生了更多的体育赛事。欧足联所做的改变提高了欧洲男子国家队比赛的竞争强度并鼓励了竞争平衡。这与欧足联本着团结和团结的精神促进足球的目标是一致的。欧足联可以向其利益相关者传达这些积极的进展。