Match variables related to the outcome of the Football European Championship (France, 2016)
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2018-01-19
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This study aimed to identify the game statistics that best discriminate the outcome of the matches played in the Football European Championship (France, 2016). The analysis was carried on all matches of the competition and all the variables available on the official UEFA website. A two-step cluster analysis was performed to identify different clusters amongst the game statistics. Afterwards, a discriminant analysis identified the most powerful variables in distinguishing the previously identified clusters. Results revealed that Distance Covered in the first half (Structure coefficient SC=0.742) and the Fouls Committed in the second half (SC=0.367) were the variables that most contributed to distinguish the clusters, suggesting the importance of defensive combativeness and physical conditioning. This type of analysis is important because the variables provide a lot of information about the teams, such as their tactical model or playing styles, which gives the coaches/analysts an increased knowledge about football's performance indicators.