Spain won the 2012 Euros in style, and in case you missed it, take a look at this video summary from Spanish supporter and LMA member, Rafa Benitez.

Now that you're all caught up, we present below some interesting data on all aspects of the Euros, paying particular attention to the "First Goal."

Comparative Analysis of Previous Competitions

Chart summary:

• Forty-five percent of all "First Goals" (in open play and from set plays) came directly from headed goals
• Only  two "First Goals' were scored from outside the penalty area
• Teams winning at half time had an 82 percent chance of winning the game
• Teams winning by two goals at half time had a 100 percent chance of winning the game (occurred seven times)

The data also showed the following:

• The team having the most strikes on target (Spain) won the competition
• Comparing the 2008 Euros with the 2012 Euros, the average number of passes per game in 2012 rose by 40 percent from 501 to 707 passes per game 
• Comparing the 2008 Euros with the 2012 Euros, the average number of passes per shot per game in 2012 rose by over 60 percent from 27 to 44 passes per game for each shot

Recommended Additional References

• http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/season=2012/statistics/round=15172/teams/index.html
• http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/spain/9370469/Euro-2012-how-Spain-passed-their-way-to-the-European-Championship-title.html
• http://www.matchstudy.com/EURO2012teamQ.aspx?team=Spain&no=03&item=1

OK, So what?.....What implications are there for coaches?

1. Can you establish if there are similar trends to these in the competitions and tournaments in which your team plays?
2. Does your team’s style reflect the need to take the initiative and score the first goal?
3. Does the time you devote in your  team practice to attacking and defending set plays reflect the special importance of set plays in scoring (or conceding) the first goal?
4. What is your team’s efficiency in transition when your team gain and lose possession of the ball. What percentage of first goals and all goals do you score (and concede) within 20 seconds of possession changing?
5. In open play, is your attacking team organization arranged to maximize the value of counterattacks, dribbling, turning and attacks from the flanks. Do you recognize the need to minimize these risks in how your team defends?

Every team at the 2012 Euros had a backup team of analysts to provide data and video to support the coaching staff and players. So what are the benefits of using performance evaluation?

Here are two videos to answer that question. The first from England Manager Roy Hodgson (filmed when he was Manager at West Bromwich Albion FC) and the second from Gavin Fleg the Head of Performance Analysis at Premier League Champions, Manchester City FC.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Adb_5xDecSs&feature=plcp

http://youtu.be/7vtu5Uh5mXo

Chris Carling is the Performance Analyst for FC Lille, which won the French League and Cup double in 2011. He outlines his belief in the benefits of performance evaluation in this video. There is also a very good article here from the NSCAA Soccer Journal (November /December 2010) on the value of performance evaluation.

The English League Managers Association (LMA) at the beginning of 2012 launched an online education course in conjunction with Prozone Sports on "Performance Evaluation." Since this course was launched at the beginning of 2012, more than 200 coaches and managers from across the world have enrolled.

Focusing on improving how coaches evaluate players and teams, the course highlights good practice in English, French, Dutch and Turkish clubs with over 300 video interview clips from 15 respected experts including LMA Managers, Youth Academies Directors and respected Performance Analysts. For further details of the course click here and for details of the discount available to NSCAA members click here. 

Coach John Pascarella of Sporting Kansas City recently completed the course and wrote the following:

"The course information is outstanding.  It gives coaches some ideas on how to take your own style of play and then create KPI's that apply to that given style. The benchmarks/statistics give us an idea of what to shoot for in relation to high level teams. It has created some thought and ideas about what we want to do here in KC with the help of our IT/analysis people and the first step is generating some league-wide statistics to use as our benchmarks”

To read what other coaches felt about this course please click here.

We hope you have enjoyed these articles on the 2012 UEFA Euros. For more information about the League Managers Association go to http://www.leaguemanagers.com and for LMA online courses go to www.sportspath.com

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