Title: "How Many Teams Advance to the Knockout Stage in the UEFA European Championship？"

Introduction:

The UEFA European Championship, commonly known as the Euro, is one of the most prestigious international football tournaments in the world. In this article, we will discuss how many teams advance to the knockout stage in the Euro.

Main Body:

1. Group Stage:

The competition begins with the group stage, where 24 teams are divided into six groups of four teams each. Each team plays three matches against the other teams in their group. The top two teams from each group, along with the four best thirdplaced teams, advance to the knockout stage.

2. Qualification Criteria:

To determine the best thirdplaced teams, the following factors are considered:

a. Points earned in group matches

b. Goal difference in all group matches

c. Goals scored in all group matches

d. Fair play conduct (fewest points deducted for yellow/red cards)

e. UEFA national team coefficient ranking

3. Knockout Stage:

The knockout stage consists of the Round of 16, Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and the Final. Here is the progression of teams at each stage:

a. Round of 16: 16 teams compete in singleelimination matches. The winners advance to the Quarterfinals.

b. Quarterfinals: The eight winners from the Round of 16 play in singleelimination matches. The winners advance to the Semifinals.

c. Semifinals: The four winners from the Quarterfinals compete in singleelimination matches. The winners advance to the Final.

d. Final: The two winning teams from the Semifinals face off to determine the champion.

4. Historical Overview:

Since the expansion of the tournament to 24 teams in 2016, the number of teams advancing to the knockout stage increased from 16 to 16 plus the four best thirdplaced teams. This change provided more opportunities for teams to progress further in the competition.

Conclusion:

In the UEFA European Championship (Euro), 16 teams from the group stage, comprising the top two teams from each group and the four best thirdplaced teams, advance to the knockout stage. The tournament structure allows for thrilling matches and exciting moments as teams compete to become the European champion.