Germany's Low unimpressed with 24-team Euros

Germany manager Joachim Low believes this year's swelled version of the European Championship is not as exciting as its predecessors.

Formerly featuring 16 teams, the continent's major international tournament now has 24-team format for 2016 - and Low isn't a fan.

"The 16 teams was ideal. It made for great matches from day one," said Low.

"This is a different situation and a return to the old system is obviously not possible anymore. So we have to accept that."

The minnows of the competition, such as Albania and Iceland, have produced admirable defensive work yet ultimately flaccid attacking football at Euro 2016, and Low believes it's because teams are trying to prevent losing points rather than trying to impose themselves on the competition.

"There are teams playing ultra defensively. But they do that well," continued Low.

"The smaller nations like Albania or Wales are defensively very well schooled. They see their chance in that, so that is why we had only up to two goals per game until yesterday's Spain win (3-0) over Turkey."

Germany itself encountered a stout defensive performance in the 0-0 draw against Poland on Thursday, but Low suggested that his side will continue to take the pitch chasing a win.

"Teams with one point from two matches still have a chance for the Round of 16," the 56-year-old World Cup winner added.

"That is not very fair but it is what it is. So we just have to accept it and use the time we have to prepare for any opponent."

A draw will be enough to secure a Round of 16 berth when Germany takes on Northern Ireland in Paris on Tuesday.