Evaluation of the goal scoring patterns in European Championship in Portugal 2004.

The aim of the present study was to study the characteristics of goal scoring patterns in top leveled soccer matches. The sample the study constituted of 32 games of the European Championship (Euro 2004). Cross tabulation and chi-square methods were used for the data analysis. The results revealed that more goals were achieved in the second half (57.4%) than in the first half (42.6%, p<0.05). As far as the type of offense concerned, goals achieved through organized offence presented the higher frequency (44.1%) following goals after a set play (35.6%) and counter-attacks (20.3%). Regarding the actions that occurred prior to the goal, long passes presented the higher frequency (34.1%). More specifically, the kind of dead-ball situations was examined, and the conclusion is that corners and free kicks showed bigger frequency of appearance in the game. Finally, regarding the zone of scoring attempt, the following percentages were presented: 44.4% penalty area, 32.2% goal area, and 20.4% outside the penalty area. The results reveal that coaches should focus on train of the dead-ball situations. Also attention must be given to the fatigue that players appear towards the end of a game, which consequently leads to goal scoring by the opponent team, and to its confrontation through training.