Germany unhappy with level of competition at Euros

Germany’s football coach has criticised the level of competition at Euro 2016 under the new format, which saw 24 teams involved.

Joachim Low was speaking after his team lost to France in Thursday’s semi-final.

They had progressed through a group which featured Northern Ireland, as well as Poland and Ukraine, before beating Slovakia and Italy in the knockout rounds.

"I think 24 teams are too many," Low toldsport1.de.

"The World Cup's going to be increased to 40 teams and it's getting more and more, and that's a problem in the long term.

"Sometimes you get the feeling it's not doing football any good. The quality is suffering."

Meanwhile defender Mats Hummels said Germany believe too many games were against inferior opponents who limited themselves to trying to defend a goalless draw.

He said: “The level at this European Championship was not what we had hoped for.

"There were many teams who didn't want to do anything with the ball and just packed men behind the ball."