In a decision last night, UEFA (the governing body of Europe) have done the sensible thing and from the European Championships in 2016, there will be 24 teams competing, instead of just 16, the BBC reports.

The vice-chairman of Uefa’s development and technical assistance committee- Franz Beckenbauer - said the following:-

“Yes for sure it’s going to be 24 teams…The European Championships will not lose any quality by that.”

We Say: I for one am delighted. As a Welshman, we have been close on many occassions but never quite made it, and the quality of the teams that didn’t qualify for the latest tournament in Austria/Switzerland shows.

The last time it was expanded was in 1996, after the fall of the Soviet Union. It seems strange since the breakup of Yugoslavia it hasn’t been increased further.

This was Europe in 1992

And this is Europe in 2008

And there was a complete change in Europe, particularly in the Soviet area. I’m very happy at the news, but it will be interesting to see qualification. Will they keep it 8 groups of 6, and let the top 3 (instead of the top 2) qualify? Or come up with something new? Only time will tell.

I’d be up for the top 3, as it’d be more open to shocks.