After 51 matches and 108 goals, Euro 2016 came to an end on Sunday night with Portugal's 1-0 win over France in the final.
There were plenty of memorable moments, but not many games that will go down in history as tournament classics. Euro 2016 again showed that international football lags behind the club game in terms of tactical innovation and attacking quality.
It was still an enjoyable month, though, and one that Portuguese fans in particular will never forget.
English football correspondent Greg Lea recalls the highs and lows of the 2016 European Championships.
Best match
• Germany 0-2 France was a captivating watch, with two top-quality sides producing some excellent football as they attacked in different ways.
Worst match
• Wales' 1-0 victory over Northern Ireland in the first knockout round was dull, but the fact that both sides were at least playing for their place in the competition means Italy's uneventful 1-0 defeat of Sweden in the group stage takes the award.
Best team performance
• Italy's showing against Spain in the round of 16 was superb, as was Germany's in the first half of their semi-final with France, but Wales' magnificent display in beating Belgium in the last eight means they edge out their more illustrious counterparts.
Best individual performance
• Eden Hazard was simply unplayable in Belgium's 4-0 thrashing of Hungary in the last 16.
Overachievers
• Wales did brilliantly to reach the semi-finals in their first ever European Championship appearance, but Iceland's progression to the last eight was even more impressive given the size of the country.
Underachievers
• Austria failed to live up to the hype in Group F, but England suffered the most ignominious exit at the hands of Iceland in the round of 16.
Best player
• Antoine Griezmann started the competition slowly but was France's key man in the knockout stage. The Atletico Madrid forward thrived after being moved into a more central role, with his six goals helping his team to the final.
Most disappointing player
• Thomas Muller is still awaiting his first goal at the Euros, while his all-round performances were extremely poor by his high standards.
Best goal
• Xherdan Shaqiri's overhead kick for Switzerland against Poland was a stunning piece of technique.
Biggest disappointment
• It was a great shame to see the outbreaks of hooliganism in the early stages of the competition.
Best moment
• Iceland’s Viking Clap was an excellent addition to the tournament, and the players’ and fans’ rendition after their last 16 defeat of England was particularly special.
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Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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China
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UAE
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Japan
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Norway
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Canada
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Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
%E2%80%98FSO%20Safer%E2%80%99%20-%20a%20ticking%20bomb
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Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere
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GIANT REVIEW
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THE BIO
Family: I have three siblings, one older brother (age 25) and two younger sisters, 20 and 13
Favourite book: Asking for my favourite book has to be one of the hardest questions. However a current favourite would be Sidewalk by Mitchell Duneier
Favourite place to travel to: Any walkable city. I also love nature and wildlife
What do you love eating or cooking: I’m constantly in the kitchen. Ever since I changed the way I eat I enjoy choosing and creating what goes into my body. However, nothing can top home cooked food from my parents.
Favorite place to go in the UAE: A quiet beach.
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
