Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann has said he would not welcome a return to 16 teams at the European Championship because the 24-team format offers smaller teams a better chance to shine.
The complicated system with four third-place finishers reaching the knock-outs along with the top two of the six groups, which also led to several final group games being not exciting, had raised questions whether the format in place since 2016 is a good solution.
But Nagelsmann told reporters ahead of Saturday's last 16 match against Denmark that he would not back a return to the previous format of 16 teams from which the top two reach the knock-outs.
"I think it is important for smaller nations to participate at such a big tournament. That is always interesting, if you for instance look at Georgia who have improved with every match and now face Spain," Nagelsmann said.
"I like to see different national teams. I think it is good the way it is."
There have also been suggestions, including from Kicker sports magazine, to expand the Euros to 32 teams with eight groups, from which then only the top two would advance again.
Looking at the knock-outs, Nagelsmann said that the other half of the draw "is a little easier on paper" but that "things can change now in the knock-outs" after some teams played better than the expected favourites.
If Germany beat Denmark they could face Spain, the best team in the group stage, in the quarter-finals, and France or Portugal in the semis.
The most prominent teams in the other half are title holders Italy, England and the Netherlands, who have all not impressed so far.
