With Euro 2012 complete, let’s take a look at how each team performed in terms of offensive and defensive efficiency. In particular we will be taking a look at how each team performed in terms of shots created and overall goals scored from those shots.
The chart above displays how each team performed in terms of overall efficiency. The vertical axis represents how each team performed +/- overall shooting efficiency. For example Greece achieved a +7.2% in overall attack/defensive efficiency. They did so by scoring in 15.6% of their shots (5 from 32) while conceding a goal to their opponents in 8.4% of their shots conceded (7 from 83).
The horizontal axis represents how each team performed +/- overall share of shots created in matches they competed in. For example, Italy record a +7.9% share of overall shots created. The equates to them creating 53.95% of all shots taken by them and their opponents in matches they competed in.
Teams in Green – Spain, Germany and Russia.
The teams in green are those that achieved both a positive share of shots taken coupled with a positive overall efficiency. As we might have expected, Spain were the stand-outs of the tournament in terms of offense created and efficiency. The defending champions recorded a +16.7% in share of shots created, a tournament best, while simultaneously recording a tournament best of +10.1% in overall efficiency.
We might have also expected a solid performance from the Germans who recorded a +8.8% in share of shots created while achieving a +1.8% in terms of overall efficiency. We might not have expected to see Russia join both Germany and Spain as recording a positive in both categories. Through their three group stage matches, the Russians posted +9.6% in share of total shots taken and a +1.0 in overall efficiency.
Teams in Blue – Ukraine, Italy, Poland, Netherlands, France and Portugal.
Only Spain saw a greater share of shots created than France who recorded a +13.1% in share of total shots. Unfortunately, the French were only ahead of Ireland in terms of overall efficiency, posting a mark of -8.5%.
Portugal almost joined the Spanish, Germans and Russians amongst the Green posting a share of shots created of +11.7% while dipping slightly into the negative in terms of overall efficiency with a mark of -0.5%. Meanwhile runners-up Italy posted the eighth best share of shots created with a mark of +7.9% while conceding an overall efficiency of -3.3%.
Lastly, the Netherlands recorded the third worst overall efficiency, with a mark of -8.3% only ahead of both France and Ireland.
Teams in Red – Czech Republic and Ireland.
Just two teams were unfortunate to record both a negative share of overall shots created and a negative overall efficiency. The Czech Republic were perhaps unlucky to be in the same company as the Irish, posting a share of shots created of -9.8% while just below the break-even in terms of overall efficiency, recording a -0.1%.
Ireland on the other hand were well and away the worst performed in terms of shots created and overall efficiency. Through their three bleak group matches, Ireland recorded a share of shots created of -20.8% which was 2nd worst just ahead of Greece, while their overall efficiency of -9.7% was a tournament low.
Teams in Black – Greece, Denmark, England, Sweden and Croatia.
Five teams took advantage of their limited opportunities during Euro 2012, recording a negative share of shots created while achieving a positive overall efficiency. England record the 3rd worst mark in terms of share of shots, with a -18.8% while at the same time recording the 2nd highest mark in terms of overall efficiency, posting a +9.1%.
Greece were only one of two teams (the other being England) to reach the knock-out stage. Through their four matches, the Greeks posted the worst overall number in terms of shots created with a -22.2% while being only behind Spain and England in terms of overall efficiency with a +7.2%.
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“Greece were the only of these teams to reach the knock-out stage”. I seem to recall England reaching the knock-out stage and parking 3 buses against Italy.
Andrew, I should have said I found the data interesting. You could add value to the article by offering an interpretation of the data though. Of course we saw with our own eyes how each team played, but the data provide a more objective basis for confirming or confounding our perceptions – hence an interpretive commentary would be good.
Thanks for the feedback Jambonz (and yes, my error on the excluding England from knockout stage play….and yes, I think your estimate of 3 buses was about right).
The data is more to show how each team either succeeded or failed during the tournament. Greece, England and the Czech Republic were opportunistic, yet playing in such a way will only get you so far. Generally, the more that a team creates shots, the quality of shots will also increase.
The main problem with such analysis during a tournament like the Euros is the small sample size of matches. I plan to offer some more intriguing analysis of the major European leagues throughout the season which I hope you’ll enjoy also.