71 per cent of the event will be spent eliminating 33 per cent of the sides

In theory it is possible to claim one point, not score and reach the last 16

That means two thirds of the field will qualify for the knockout rounds

Instead of 16 teams, 24 will take part in this summer's tournament in France

No goals? No wins? No need to worry... you can still qualify from the group stages of Euro 2016.

With 24 teams at this summer's tournament and 16 of them going into the knockout phase, it's literally easier to go through than not.

In fact, it is theoretically possible that a team might advance having not scored a single goal and having won just one point.

England have the safety net of possibly being able to qualify for the Euro 2016 last 16 without scoring a goal

Gareth Bale and Wales will be hoping to be part of the two-thirds of the field to progress to the knockout rounds

The top two in each of the six groups go through, plus the four third-placed teams with the best records.

For illustrative purposes, imagine in England's group if the two teams highest ranked by FIFA (England, ranked 11) and Slovakia (ranked 24) both beat the other two teams, Wales (26) and Russia (29), to nil. They finish first and second and go through.

Then imagine Wales versus Russia ends 0-0. Wales, or indeed Russia, could have no goals and one point - but still be third and have a chance of progress.

Obviously two or three points would enhance the chances, but theoretically one with no goals could be enough for some.

The countries who finish top of groups A, B, C and D will take on one of those third-placed sides for a spot in the quarter-finals.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Sweden feature in Group E, alongside Italy, Belgium and the Republic of Ireland

Antoine Griezmann, Hugo Lloris and Andre-Pierre Gignac are expect to win Group A with France and, if they do, they will face the third-placed side from groups C, D or E in the second round of the competition

Until the round robin is complete, it will remain unclear which groups' winners and third-placed teams will meet.

Remarkably, of Euro 2016's 51 games, 36 will be spent knocking out just eight teams in the group stages.

EURO 2016 LAST 16 DRAW Match 1: Runner-up A v Runner-up C Match 2: Winner D v 3rd B/E/F Match 3: Winner B v 3rd A/C/D Match 4: Winner F v Runner-up E Match 5: Winner C v 3rd A/B/F Match 6: Winner E v Runner-up D Match 7: Winner A v 3rd C/D/E Match 8: Runner-up B v Runner-up F Advertisement

That's effectively 71 per cent of the tournament being required to eliminate 33 per cent of the competing sides.

In theory, with qualification for the last 16 easier than in any other recent international tournament, matches should be free-flowing as teams play without the pressure of requiring an early win.

Alternatively, the tension generated by the need to sneak a solitary goalless draw to reach the knockout stages could become too much for some. Euro 2016 kicks off on Friday with hosts France playing Albania at the Stade de France.