The purpose of this undergraduate thesis was to determine the characteristics of the play of the Portuguese national football team in the attack phase at the 2016 European Championship, based on observation of selected variables. Those variables were compared with other teams and throughout the process it was determined which parameters in the attack phase of the football games are the ones that significantly influence the course and performance of the Portuguese game. We also observed and described situations and characteristics of the Portuguese national team's scored goals.
In order to find out the characteristics of the Portuguese national football team in the attack phase at the 2016 European Championship we obtained the recordings of all seven matches, and carefully analyzed every attacking play. The opponents of the Portuguese national football team at the 2016 European Championship were national teams of: Iceland, Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Poland, Wales, and France. The Portuguese national football team won the 2016 European Championship and became the European champion.
After the analysis of the characteristics we came to certain conclusions. The Portuguese national team only had a larger possession of the ball than its opponent in the first three matches, but on average for all seven matches, they had higher ball possession. Compared with opponents, they created a greater total number of attacks overall in championship. Their game in the attack phase was based primarily on continuous attack, and less on the other types of attack. The Portuguese national team created most of their chances through the middle of the pitch, and scored the most goals off of a cross into the penalty area from both wings. Compared to the other teams in the championship the Portuguese national team had more shots on goal and those were more precise. They had more corner kicks and committed fewer fouls than their opponents. They missed one penalty in regular time, but were more successful at penalty shootouts after extra time.
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