Euro minnows put a smile on our face

It’s not too fashionable to praise Michel Platini at the moment but among the Good, the Bad and the Ugly to come out of the Nyon fiefdom over the past few years, the decision to expand the UEFA European Championship to 24 teams, is beginning to look inspired.

Gareth Bale celebrates Wales qualification for Euro 2016. Source: Getty Images

Admittedly, at the time, it seemed crazy. Easier qualification for the big boys. More dead rubbers. Bloated schedules. But as we draw the curtain on the first qualifying campaign, it appears that the key component of the “Carre Magique” may have pulle doff a masterstroke.

A quick look at the qualifiers for France 2016 tells a tale. Iceland, Wales, Slovakia, Northern Ireland, Romania, Austria, Wales, Albania. All unlikely to make it in the old format.

The list of those missing or forced to go through the play-offs is even more striking. This was supposed to be the “easiest” qualifying route ever, and yet somehow Holland, Ukraine, Ireland, Greece, Sweden, Bulgaria, Denmark and Serbia have failed to take advantage of it.

The total collapse of Greek International football is overshadowed by the remarkable fall from grace of the Dutch.  Just 15 months ago, both these nations hit the high note in Brazil, with the Dutch running roughshod over Brazil to claim 3^rd place. Today it is a rabble, and no longer will pundits in the Lowlands agonise over a loss of identity or style. Today it’s about a loss of its very soul.

But this isn’t about the big boys failing.  This is about the new wave of countries who have made it.  Of Albania, once the butt of Norman Wisdom gags in the English tabloids, now a slayer of Portugal. Or Wales, nearly 60 years since its last tournament, or more remarkably Northern Ireland. Just 30 years for them, but it may as well be 300 given the decline in the nations footballing fortunes.

Or how about Iceland. A nation of 330,000. Of 20,000 registered players. A nation who 15 years ago looked to the future and invested in indoor pitches and youth coaching, with remarkable results.

These are the stories that make you feel warm inside, and after all, isn’t that what football is about, or should be?  Think of the scenes around Palestine in the Asian Cup. A nation, just happy to be there, and supporters, who can’t believe they are. I heard an anecdote on the Football Ramble podcast of a Welsh fan, suddenly struck dumb.  When asked why he said “There’s going to be Wales Panini stickers!”.

We bemoan the commercialisation of the game at club level. The lack of loyalty, the cynicism. But this Euro campaign has shone the light on a different side of the game. At a time when international football seemed moribund. An antiquated relic of another age, love for your country, passion for your shirt has overcome it all. Even a relative power like Belgium, stayed on the pitch singing and celebrating with their fans, as the group who have been together since teenage years, revelled in its continual evolution.

It made me smile. And that’s something football is supposed to do.