Podolski critical of 'stupid' expanded Euro 2016 format


Football Soccer - Germany v Slovakia - EURO 2016 - Round of 16 - Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Lille, France - 26/6/16 Germany's Lukas Podolski celebrates at the end of the match REUTERS/Lee Smith Livepic

(Reuters) - Germany forward Lukas Podolski has criticised the new 24-team format for the European Championship, labelling it 'stupid' as it created a great deal of confusion among the players.

European football's governing body UEFA have added eight places to the finals tournament since it was last hosted in 2012, when only the top-two sides from the four groups advanced straight into the quarter-finals.

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