New format Brackets are extremely unfair

Just looked through the bracket which are important in the tournament since it decides exactly pretty much which strong teams if expected wins their groups will face each other in the QF, and so on, and which favourite may avoid another favourite before the final.

Just realized that for example being in Group E is extremely unfair, since if u win that u play second of D, and if you get second you play winner of F. But other group winners, get to play one of the third better places teams? I mean wtf, that is VERY different opponents you meet in the second round.

You could also see other strange scenarios if I am correct, for example if Portugal want to avoid Italy or Belgium who will likely be 1/2 of group E in the second round, they are like purposely become second in their group, since they would just have to play second of B, which are much weaker teams if England wins B. I know these cases have happened in previous tournaments and most of the time teams dont do this, but if you foresee that to happen as results come, you may be tempted.

Anyway, all in all, France have it much easier compared with a team in group E. Some of it just luck of the draw, but definitely the bracket is quite fked imo?

They lightweight ruined the format, IMO. But whatever. Euros will always be exciting.

16 teams format was perfect.

I understand that 24 teams gives more chance for smaller nations... still a shit idea imo.

Yeah, the bracket does give you some a little strange match-ups, like A2 v C2 and F2 v B2. Second-placed teams playing each other is a bit ugh. And like OP pointed out, it doesn't matter do you finish 1st or 2nd in Group F, you're going to play a 2nd placed team in each case (F1 v E2, F2 v B2). And given that Group E is stronger than Group B, it's actually better to finish 2nd in Group F.