View source for UEFA European Championship

{{short description|Association football tournament}}
{{about|the men's tournament|the women's tournament|UEFA Women's Championship||European Championship in football (disambiguation){{!}}European Championship in football}}
{{Redirect|Euro Cup||EuroCup (disambiguation){{!}}EuroCup}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2025}}
{{Infobox football tournament
| name                 = UEFA European Championship
| image                = Coupe Henri Delaunay 2017.jpg
| imagesize            = 
| caption              = The Henri Delaunay Trophy, awarded to the winner of the UEFA European Championship
| organiser            = [[UEFA]]
| founded              = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1958}}
| number of teams      = 24 (finals)<br />54 (eligible to enter qualification)
| region               = Europe
| current champions    = {{nowrap|{{fb|ESP}} (4th title)}}
| most successful team = {{fbaicon|ESP}} Spain (4 titles)
| website              = {{URL|https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/|uefa.com/uefaeuro}}
| qualifier for        = [[Finalissima]]
| current              = 
}}
{{Season sidebar
| image   = [[File:Euro 2016 stade de France France-Roumanie (27307532960).jpg|200px]]
| caption = A [[UEFA Euro 2016]] match between [[France national football team|France]] and [[Romania national football team|Romania]]
| title   = Tournaments
| list    = 
* [[1960 European Nations' Cup|1960]]
* [[1964 European Nations' Cup|1964]]
* [[UEFA Euro 1968|1968]]
* [[UEFA Euro 1972|1972]]
* [[UEFA Euro 1976|1976]]
* [[UEFA Euro 1980|1980]]
* [[UEFA Euro 1984|1984]]
* [[UEFA Euro 1988|1988]]
* [[UEFA Euro 1992|1992]]
* [[UEFA Euro 1996|1996]]
* [[UEFA Euro 2000|2000]]
* [[UEFA Euro 2004|2004]]
* [[UEFA Euro 2008|2008]]
* [[UEFA Euro 2012|2012]]
* [[UEFA Euro 2016|2016]]
* [[UEFA Euro 2020|2020]]
* [[UEFA Euro 2024|2024]]
* ''[[UEFA Euro 2028|2028]]''
* ''[[UEFA Euro 2032|2032]]''
}}
The '''UEFA European Football Championship''',<ref name="regulations">{{cite web |url=https://documents.uefa.com/v/u/WVKcnryVkASzztwJjPBcIw |title=Regulations of the UEFA European Football Championship 2018–20 |website=[[UEFA]] |publisher=Union of European Football Associations |date=9 March 2018 |access-date=11 May 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511180320/https://documents.uefa.com/internal/api/webapp/documents/WVKcnryVkASzztwJjPBcIw/content |archive-date=11 May 2021}}</ref> less formally the '''European Championship''' and informally the '''Euro''' or '''Euros''',<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/article/2024/jun/03/euro-2024-team-guides-part-1-germany |title=Euro 2024 team guides part one: Germany |last=Horn |first=Nicolas |date=3 June 2024 |access-date=5 June 2024 |work=The Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/england-euro-2024-squad-prediction-b2556337.html |title=England's Euro 2024 squad: Who's on the plane, who's in contention and who will miss out? |last=Ostlere |first=Lawrence |date=4 June 2024 |access-date=5 June 2024 |work=The Independent}}</ref> is the primary [[association football]] tournament organised by the Union of European Football Associations ([[UEFA]]). The competition is contested by UEFA members' senior [[List of men's national association football teams|men's national teams]], determining the [[Football continental championships|continental champion]] of Europe.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Pandit |first=Rupa |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RNVgEAAAQBAJ&dq=The+competition+is+contested+by+UEFA+members'+senior+men's+national+teams,+determining+the+continental+champion+of+Europe&pg=PT226 |title=Physical Education: Textbook for ICSE Class 10 |date=2022-02-23 |publisher=Oswal Publishers |isbn=978-93-90278-47-3}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Authors |first=Panel of |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jmp7EAAAQBAJ&dq=The+competition+is+contested+by+UEFA+members'+senior+men's+national+teams,+determining+the+continental+champion+of+Europe&pg=PA1558 |title=Arun Deep's 10 Years Solved Papers For ICSE Class 10 Exam 2023 - Comprehensive Handbook Of 15 Subjects - Year-Wise Board Solved Question Papers, Revised Syllabus 2023 |publisher=Ravinder Singh and sons |pages=1558}}</ref> It is the second-most watched football tournament in the world after the [[FIFA World Cup]]; the [[UEFA Euro 2016 final|Euro 2016 final]] was watched by a global audience of around 600 million.<ref>{{cite news |date=15 December 2016 |title=Euro 2016 seen by 2 billion on TV; 600m watch final |url=https://www.espn.in/football/story/_/id/37506217/euro-2016-seen-2bn-tv-600m-watch-final |website=[[ESPN]] |access-date=16 February 2024}}</ref> The competition has been held every four years since [[1960 European Nations' Cup|1960]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=UEFA EURO 24 – The biggest European football tournament is here again after four years! {{!}} EXIsport Eshop EU |url=https://www.exisport.eu/smartblog/473_uefa-euro-24-the-biggest-european-football-to.html |access-date=2024-03-21 |website=www.exisport.eu-us}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Pyta |first1=W. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_G2LDAAAQBAJ&dq=UEFA+European+Championship+has+been+held+every+four+years+since+1960&pg=PA59 |title=European Football and Collective Memory |last2=Havemann |first2=N. |date=2015-03-25 |publisher=Springer |isbn=978-1-137-45015-9 |pages=59}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Dunmore |first=Tom |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9j1wbp2t1usC&dq=UEFA+European+Championship+has+been+held+every+four+years+since+1960&pg=PA250 |title=Historical Dictionary of Soccer |date=2011-09-16 |publisher=Scarecrow Press |isbn=978-0-8108-7188-5 |pages=250}}</ref> except for [[UEFA Euro 2020|2020]], when it was postponed until 2021 due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Europe]], but kept the name Euro 2020. Scheduled to be in the even-numbered year between FIFA World Cup tournaments, it was originally called the '''European Nations' Cup''' before changing to its current name in [[UEFA Euro 1968|1968]]. Since 1996, the individual events have been branded as "'''UEFA Euro [year]'''".

Before entering the tournament, all teams other than the host nations (which qualify automatically) compete in a [[UEFA European Championship qualifying|qualifying process]]. Until 2016, the championship winners could compete in the following year's [[FIFA Confederations Cup]], but were not obliged to do so.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/aboutfifa/organisation/news/newsid=95756/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120712091406/http://www.fifa.com/aboutfifa/organisation/news/newsid=95756/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=12 July 2012 |title=2005/2006 season: final worldwide matchday to be 14 May 2006 |website=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |date=19 December 2004 |access-date=13 January 2012}}</ref> From the 2020 edition onwards, the winner competes in the [[CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions]].<ref>{{cite web |date=15 December 2021 |title=UEFA and CONMEBOL renew and extend Memorandum of Understanding |url=https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/0270-13f6f29ca74e-264305ef4e74-1000/ |access-date=21 November 2024|website=[[UEFA]] |publisher=Union of European Football Associations}}</ref>

The seventeen European Championship tournaments have been won by ten national teams: [[Spain national football team|Spain]] have won four titles, [[Germany national football team|Germany]] have won three titles, [[Italy national football team|Italy]] and [[France national football team|France]] have won two titles, and the [[Soviet Union national football team|Soviet Union]], [[Czechoslovakia national football team|Czechoslovakia]], the [[Netherlands national football team|Netherlands]], [[Denmark national football team|Denmark]], [[Greece national football team|Greece]] and [[Portugal national football team|Portugal]] have won one title each. To date, Spain is the only team to have won consecutive titles, doing so in 2008 and 2012.

The [[UEFA Euro 2024|most recent championship]], held in Germany in 2024, was won by Spain, who lifted a record fourth [[List of UEFA European Championship finals|European title]] after beating [[England national football team|England]] 2–1 in the [[UEFA Euro 2024 Final|final]] at the [[Olympiastadion (Berlin)|Olympiastadion]] in [[Berlin]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Morse|first=Ben|date=14 July 2024|title=Spain wins Euro 2024, defeating England 2–1 in a dramatic final to win record fourth European Championship|url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/14/sport/spain-england-euro-2024-final-spt-intl/index.html|access-date=14 July 2024|website=[[CNN]]}}</ref>

==History==
===Beginnings (1960–1976)===
Regional tournaments for national teams existed before the advent of a truly pan-European competition. Starting in 1883, the [[British Home Championship]] was an annual competition contested between the [[United Kingdom]]'s four national teams, [[England national football team|England]], [[Scotland national football team|Scotland]], [[Wales national football team|Wales]], and [[Ireland national football team (1882–1950)|Ireland]]. Until these national teams entered the [[FIFA World Cup]] in [[1950 FIFA World Cup|1950]], it was the most important international tournament these nations competed in. Similarly, from 1927 until 1960, the [[Central European International Cup]] was held six times. It brought together the national teams of [[Austria national football team|Austria]], [[Hungary national football team|Hungary]], [[Italy national football team|Italy]], [[Czechoslovakia national football team|Czechoslovakia]], [[Switzerland national football team|Switzerland]], and [[Yugoslavia national football team|Yugoslavia]]. The idea for a pan-European football tournament was first proposed by the [[French Football Federation]]'s secretary-general [[Henri Delaunay]] in 1927, but it was not until 1958 that the tournament was started, three years after Delaunay's death.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/season=1960/overview/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120122102025/http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/season=1960/overview/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 January 2012 |title=Delaunay's dream realised in France |work=[[UEFA]] |publisher=Union of European Football Associations |date=30 January 2012 |access-date=24 February 2012}}</ref> In honour of Delaunay, the trophy awarded to the champions is named after him.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro-2020/news/0258-0e51de1a172f-12472925ce41-1000--the-biggest-prize-in-2020/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191228114423/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro-2020/news/0258-0e51de1a172f-12472925ce41-1000--the-biggest-prize-in-2020/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 December 2019 |title=The Henri Delaunay Cup |work=[[UEFA]] |publisher=Union of European Football Associations |date=28 January 2012 |access-date=24 February 2012}}</ref> The [[1960 European Nations' Cup|1960 tournament]], held in France, had four teams competing in the finals out of 17 that entered the competition.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/season=1960/teams/index.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130205133830/http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/season=1960/teams/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 February 2013 |title=1960 UEFA European Championship – Teams |work=[[UEFA]] |publisher=Union of European Football Associations |access-date=24 February 2012}}</ref> It was won by the [[Soviet Union national football team|Soviet Union]], beating Yugoslavia 2–1 in a tense final in [[Paris]].<ref>{{cite web|date=1 October 2003|title=Ponedelnik heads Soviet Union to glory|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro-2020/news/0253-0d7b300e90b1-d0e35cbedac8-1000--ponedelnik-heads-soviet-union-to-glory/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812212539/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro-2020/news/0253-0d7b300e90b1-d0e35cbedac8-1000--ponedelnik-heads-soviet-union-to-glory/|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 August 2020|access-date=26 February 2012|work=[[UEFA]]|publisher=Union of European Football Associations}}</ref> [[Spain national football team|Spain]] withdrew from its quarter-final match against the Soviet Union because of two political protests.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/17680769 |title=Euro 1960: Lev Yashin leads Soviets to glory in France |work=BBC Sport |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=11 June 2012 |first=Tom |last=Rostance |date=21 May 2012}}</ref> Of the 17 teams that entered the qualifying tournament, notable absentees were England, the [[Dutch national football team|Netherlands]], [[Germany national football team|West Germany]] and Italy.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/euro_2004/history/3078333.stm |title=France 1960 |date=17 May 2004 |work=BBC Sport |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=24 February 2012}}</ref>

Spain held the next tournament in [[1964 European Nations' Cup|1964]], which saw an increase in entries to the qualification tournament, with 29 entering;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/season=1964/overview/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120127202141/http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/season=1964/overview/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 January 2012 |title=Spain savour home comforts |work=[[UEFA]] |publisher=Union of European Football Associations |date=21 December 2011 |access-date=24 February 2012}}</ref> West Germany was a notable absentee once again and [[Greece national football team|Greece]] withdrew after being drawn against [[Albania national football team|Albania]], with whom they were still at war.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/euro_2004/history/3078417.stm |title=Spain 1964 |date=17 May 2004 |work=BBC Sport |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=24 February 2012}}</ref> The hosts beat the title holders, the Soviet Union, 2–1 at the [[Santiago Bernabéu Stadium]] in [[Madrid]].<ref>{{cite web|date=2 October 2003|title=Spain's Marcelino stoops to conquer Europe|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro-2020/news/0253-0d7d219213ee-7a37c69c0d3e-1000--marcelino-stoops-to-conquer-for-spain/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809135319/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro-2020/news/0253-0d7d219213ee-7a37c69c0d3e-1000--marcelino-stoops-to-conquer-for-spain/|url-status=dead|archive-date=9 August 2020|access-date=26 February 2012|work=[[UEFA]]|publisher=Union of European Football Associations}}</ref>

The tournament format stayed the same for the [[UEFA Euro 1968|1968 tournament]], hosted and won by Italy.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/season=1968/overview/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111206013846/http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/season=1968/overview/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 December 2011 |title=Italy make most of good fortune |work=[[UEFA]] |publisher=Union of European Football Associations |date=20 December 2011 |access-date=24 February 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/euro_2004/history/3078455.stm |title=Italy 1968 |date=17 May 2004 |work=BBC Sport |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=24 February 2012}}</ref> For the first and only time, a match was decided on a [[coin toss]] (the semi-final between Italy and the Soviet Union)<ref>{{cite web|date=2 October 2003|title=Italy through to final after coin toss|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro-2020/news/0253-0d7b2f5adb06-fa5820ecb86b-1000--italy-through-to-final-after-coin-toss/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200317194655/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro-2020/news/0253-0d7b2f5adb06-fa5820ecb86b-1000--italy-through-to-final-after-coin-toss/|url-status=dead|archive-date=17 March 2020|access-date=26 February 2012|work=[[UEFA]]|publisher=Union of European Football Associations}}</ref> and the final went to a [[Replay (sports)|replay]], after the match against Yugoslavia finished 1–1.<ref>{{cite web|date=2 October 2003|title=Hosts Italy earn final replay against Yugoslavia|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro-2020/news/0253-0d7b2f5cc895-397374efc71d-1000--italy-earn-final-replay-against-yugoslavia/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200317194653/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro-2020/news/0253-0d7b2f5cc895-397374efc71d-1000--italy-earn-final-replay-against-yugoslavia/|url-status=dead|archive-date=17 March 2020|access-date=26 February 2012|work=[[UEFA]]|publisher=Union of European Football Associations}}</ref> Italy won the replay 2–0.<ref>{{cite web|date=2 October 2003|title=Riva steers Italy to EURO 1968 final replay win against Yugoslavia|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro-2020/news/0253-0d7b30305868-f37cf2b58b1d-1000--riva-return-sparks-italy-triumph/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200317194652/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro-2020/news/0253-0d7b30305868-f37cf2b58b1d-1000--riva-return-sparks-italy-triumph/|url-status=dead|archive-date=17 March 2020|access-date=26 February 2012|work=[[UEFA]]|publisher=Union of European Football Associations}}</ref> More teams entered this tournament (31), a testament to its burgeoning popularity.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/season=1968/teams/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204153143/http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/season=1968/teams/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 February 2012 |title=1968 UEFA European Championship – Teams |work=[[UEFA]] |publisher=Union of European Football Associations |access-date=24 February 2012}}</ref>

Belgium hosted the [[UEFA Euro 1972|1972 tournament]], which West Germany won, beating the Soviet Union 3–0 in the [[UEFA Euro 1972 final|final]], with goals coming from [[Gerd Müller]] (twice) and [[Herbert Wimmer]] at the [[Heysel Stadium]] in [[Brussels]].<ref>{{cite web|date=3 October 2003|title=Müller strikes twice as West Germany beat USSR in 1972 EURO final|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro-2020/news/0253-0d7b3004cb83-b521fb90279e-1000--muller-the-menace-in-german-masterclass/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812212344/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro-2020/news/0253-0d7b3004cb83-b521fb90279e-1000--muller-the-menace-in-german-masterclass/|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 August 2020|access-date=26 February 2012|work=[[UEFA]]|publisher=Union of European Football Associations}}</ref> This tournament would provide a taste of things to come, as the German side contained many of the key members of the [[1974 FIFA World Cup]]-winning team.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/season=1972/overview/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204072136/http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/season=1972/overview/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 February 2012 |title=West Germany make their mark |work=[[UEFA]] |publisher=Union of European Football Associations |date=20 December 2011 |access-date=24 February 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/euro_2004/history/3078533.stm |title=Belgium 1972 |date=17 May 2004 |work=BBC Sport |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=24 February 2012}}</ref>

The [[UEFA Euro 1976|1976 tournament]] in Yugoslavia was the last in which only four teams took part in the final tournament, and the last in which the hosts were chosen from the four qualified teams. Czechoslovakia beat West Germany in the newly introduced [[Penalty shoot-out (association football)|penalty shootout]]. After seven successful conversions, [[Uli Hoeneß]] missed, leaving Czechoslovakian [[Antonín Panenka]] with the opportunity to score and win the tournament. An "audacious" [[Panenka (penalty kick)|chipped shot]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/2010-07-02-917701650_x.htm |work=[[USA Today]] |agency=[[Associated Press]] |date=2 July 2010 |first=Graham |last=Dunbar |access-date=9 June 2012 |title=Abreu's 'Panenka' penalty revives 1976 classic}}</ref> described by UEFA as "perhaps the most famous spot kick of all time" secured the victory as Czechoslovakia won 5–3 on penalties.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/season=1976/overview/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204000146/http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/season=1976/overview/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 February 2012 |title=Panenka the hero for Czechoslovakia |date=27 February 2008 |access-date=9 June 2012 |work=[[UEFA]] |publisher=Union of European Football Associations}}</ref>

===Expansion to 8 teams (1980–1992)===
The competition was expanded to eight teams in the [[UEFA Euro 1980|1980 tournament]], again hosted by Italy. It involved a group stage, with the winners of the groups going on to contest the final, and the runners-up playing in the third place play-off.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/euro_2004/history/3083203.stm |title=Italy 1980 |date=17 May 2004 |work=BBC Sport |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=24 February 2012}}</ref> West Germany won their second European title by beating [[Belgium national football team|Belgium]] 2–1, with two goals scored by [[Horst Hrubesch]] at the [[Stadio Olimpico]] in [[Rome]].<ref>{{cite web|date=4 October 2003|title=Hrubesch turns West Germany's unlikely hero|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro-2020/match/3585--belgium-vs-west-germany/postmatch/report/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200622191144/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro-2020/match/3585--belgium-vs-west-germany/postmatch/report/|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 June 2020|access-date=26 February 2012|work=[[UEFA]]|publisher=Union of European Football Associations}}</ref> Horst Hrubesch scored early in the first half before [[René Vandereycken]] equalised for Belgium with a penalty in the second half. With two minutes remaining, Hrubesch headed the winner for West Germany from a [[Karl-Heinz Rummenigge]] [[Corner kick|corner]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/season=1980/overview/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120408210743/http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/season=1980/overview/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 April 2012 |title=Hrubesch crowns West German win |date=21 June 2008 |access-date=9 June 2012 |work=[[UEFA]] |publisher=Union of European Football Associations}}</ref>

[[France national football team|France]] won their first major title at home in the [[UEFA Euro 1984|1984 tournament]], with their captain [[Michel Platini]] scoring 9 goals in just 5 games, including the opening goal in the final, in which they beat Spain 2–0.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/season=1984/overview/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111223141024/http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/season=1984/overview/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 December 2011 |title=Platini shines for flamboyant France |work=[[UEFA]] |publisher=Union of European Football Associations |date=20 December 2011 |access-date=24 February 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro-2020/news/0253-0d7bc6ae8332-462b43181bbe-1000--platini-shines-for-flamboyant-france/?iv=true |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812214453/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro-2020/news/0253-0d7bc6ae8332-462b43181bbe-1000--platini-shines-for-flamboyant-france/?iv=true |url-status=dead |archive-date=12 August 2020 |title=Platini shines for flamboyant France |work=[[UEFA]] |publisher=Union of European Football Associations |date=20 December 2011 |access-date=24 February 2012}}</ref> The format also changed, with the top two teams in each group going through to a semi-final stage, instead of the winners of each group going straight into the final. The [[third place play-off]] was also abolished. The losing teams from the semi-finals win the bronze medal.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/euro_2004/history/3083327.stm |title=France 1984 |work=BBC Sport |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=11 June 2012 |date=17 May 2004}}</ref>

[[File:Huldiging Nederlands elftal na Europees kampioenschap 1988 te Munchen in Amsterd, Bestanddeelnr 934-2747.jpg|thumb|[[Ruud Gullit]] and the Netherlands team celebrating their victory in 1988]]
West Germany hosted [[UEFA Euro 1988]], but lost 2–1 to the [[Netherlands national football team|Netherlands]], their [[Germany–Netherlands football rivalry|traditional rivals]], in the semi-finals, which sparked vigorous celebrations in the Netherlands.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/season=1988/overview/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204004127/http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/season=1988/overview/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 February 2012 |title=Van Basten sparks Netherlands joy |work=[[UEFA]] |publisher=Union of European Football Associations |date=20 December 2011 |access-date=24 February 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/euro_2004/history/3083427.stm |title=West Germany 1988 |date=17 May 2004 |work=BBC Sport |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=24 February 2012}}</ref> The Netherlands went on to win the tournament in a rematch of their first game of the group stage, beating the Soviet Union 2–0 at the [[Olympic Stadium (Munich)|Olympiastadion]] in [[Munich]].<ref>{{cite web|date=5 October 2003|title=Van Basten ends Dutch wait|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro-2020/news/0253-0d7b2f78ca99-40f24ef873fd-1000--van-basten-ends-dutch-wait/|access-date=26 February 2012|work=[[UEFA]]|publisher=Union of European Football Associations}}{{dead link|date=March 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> [[Marco van Basten]] scored the second goal, a volley over the keeper from the right wing which is often considered one of the best goals ever scored.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro-2020/news/0253-0d8162342da4-964ee372d4bf-1000--ten-great-euro-moments-van-basten-s-volley/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200902121708/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro-2020/news/0253-0d8162342da4-964ee372d4bf-1000--ten-great-euro-moments-van-basten-s-volley/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 September 2020 |title=Van Basten's volley |work=[[UEFA]] |publisher=Union of European Football Associations |date=20 December 2011 |access-date=24 February 2012}}</ref>

[[UEFA Euro 1992]] was held in Sweden, and was won by [[Denmark national football team|Denmark]], who had been invited to the finals after [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 757|UN sanctions]] prevented Yugoslavia's participation as some of the states constituting the [[Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia]] were [[Yugoslav Wars|at war with each other]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/season=1992/overview/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204043311/http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/season=1992/overview/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 February 2012 |title=Denmark late show steals spotlight |work=[[UEFA]] |publisher=Union of European Football Associations |date=30 January 2012 |access-date=25 February 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/euro_2004/history/3083439.stm |title=Sweden 1992 |date=27 May 2004 |work=BBC Sport |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=25 February 2012}}</ref> The Danes beat holders the Netherlands on penalties in the semi-finals,<ref>{{cite web|date=5 October 2003|title=Schmeichel helps Denmark down Netherlands|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro-2020/match/6097--netherlands-vs-denmark/postmatch/report/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812212507/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro-2020/match/6097--netherlands-vs-denmark/postmatch/report/|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 August 2020|access-date=26 February 2012|work=[[UEFA]]|publisher=Union of European Football Associations}}</ref> then defeated [[1990 FIFA World Cup|world champions]] Germany 2–0.<ref>{{cite web|date=5 October 2003|title=Gatecrashing Denmark down Germany|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/history/news/0253-0d7b301f026e-4388f32eaa87-1000--gatecrashing-denmark-down-germany-in-euro-1992-final/|access-date=26 February 2012|work=[[UEFA]]|publisher=Union of European Football Associations}}</ref> This was the first tournament in which a [[German reunification|unified Germany]] took part and also the first major tournament to have the players' names printed on their backs.

===Expansion to 16 teams (1996–2012)===
England hosted [[UEFA Euro 1996]], the first tournament to use the [[nomenclature]] "Euro [year]" and would see the number of teams taking part double to 16.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/season=1996/overview/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107071809/http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/season=1996/overview/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=7 January 2012 |title=Football comes home for Germany |work=[[UEFA]] |publisher=Union of European Football Associations |date=1 February 2012 |access-date=25 February 2012}}</ref> The hosts, in a replay of the [[1990 FIFA World Cup]] semi-final, were knocked out on penalties by Germany.<ref>{{cite web|date=6 October 2003|title=Hosts denied by Germany in epic semi-final|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro-2020/news/0253-0d7b301cbfd1-46785d59fbda-1000--germany-beat-england-on-penalties-to-reach-euro-96-final/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812214336/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro-2020/news/0253-0d7b301cbfd1-46785d59fbda-1000--germany-beat-england-on-penalties-to-reach-euro-96-final/|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 August 2020|access-date=26 February 2012|work=[[UEFA]]|publisher=Union of European Football Associations}}</ref> The surprise team of the tournament was the newly formed [[Czech Republic national football team|Czech Republic]], participating on its first international competition following the dissolution of Czechoslovakia, which reached the final after beating Portugal and France in the knockout stage. Germany would go on to win the [[UEFA Euro 1996 final|final]] 2–1 thanks to the first [[golden goal]] ever in a major tournament, scored by [[Oliver Bierhoff]] five minutes into extra time.<ref>{{cite web|date=6 October 2003|title=Bierhoff hero of Germany's EURO '96 win|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro-2020/match/52917--czech-republic-vs-germany/postmatch/report/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200625034221/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro-2020/match/52917--czech-republic-vs-germany/postmatch/report/|url-status=dead|archive-date=25 June 2020|access-date=26 February 2012|work=[[UEFA]]|publisher=Union of European Football Associations}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/euro_2004/history/3083531.stm |title=England 1996 |date=17 May 2004 |work=BBC Sport |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=25 February 2012}}</ref> This was Germany's first title as a unified nation.

[[UEFA Euro 2000]] was the first tournament to be held by two countries, in the Netherlands and Belgium.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/2898/euro-2012/2011/12/01/2782770/euro-2012-history-the-2000-finals |title=Euro 2012 History: The 2000 finals |date=1 December 2011 |first=Graham |last=Lister |publisher=Goal.com |access-date=11 June 2012}}</ref> France, the reigning [[1998 FIFA World Cup|World Cup champions]], were favoured to win, and they lived up to expectations when they beat Italy 2–1 after [[Overtime (sports)#Association football|extra time]], having come from being 1–0 down: [[Sylvain Wiltord]] equalised in the last minute of regular time and [[David Trezeguet]] scored the winning golden goal in extra time.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro-2020/news/0253-0d7ff3c5bce4-6e73f8d0a4cc-1000--golden-boy-trezeguet-relives-france-s-2000-glory/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810220411/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro-2020/news/0253-0d7ff3c5bce4-6e73f8d0a4cc-1000--golden-boy-trezeguet-relives-france-s-2000-glory/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 August 2020 |title=Golden boy Trezeguet relives France's 2000 glory |work=[[UEFA]] |publisher=Union of European Football Associations |date=20 December 2011 |access-date=25 February 2012}}</ref>

[[File:Euro2004OpeningCeremony.jpg|thumb|The [[UEFA Euro 2004]] opening ceremony in [[Portugal]].]]
[[UEFA Euro 2004]], like 1992, produced an upset: [[Greece national football team|Greece]], who had only qualified for one World Cup ([[1994 FIFA World Cup|1994]]) and one European Championship ([[UEFA Euro 1980|1980]]) before, beat hosts [[Portugal national football team|Portugal]] 1–0 in the final (after having also beaten them in the opening game) with a goal scored by [[Angelos Charisteas]] in the 57th minute to win a tournament for which they were considered among the biggest underdogs.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/4021041.stm |title=Greece defy the odds at Euro 2004 |first=Phil |last=McNulty |date=20 December 2004 |work=BBC Sport |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=25 February 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/euro-2004-a-tournament-to-remember-1.507862 |title=Euro 2004 a tournament to remember |date=5 July 2004 |publisher=CBC Sports |access-date=26 June 2024}}</ref> On their way to the [[UEFA Euro 2004 final|final]], they also beat holders France<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/euro_2004/3830575.stm |title=France 0–1 Greece |date=25 June 2004 |work=BBC Sport |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=25 February 2012}}</ref> as well as the Czech Republic with a [[silver goal]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/euro_2004/3844467.stm |title=Greece 1–0 Czech Rep |date=1 July 2004 |work=BBC Sport |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=25 February 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro-2020/news/0253-0d7b43e4d6d3-1e43d840c0a8-1000--dellas-delight-stuns-czech-republic/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926214228/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro-2020/news/0253-0d7b43e4d6d3-1e43d840c0a8-1000--dellas-delight-stuns-czech-republic/|url-status=dead|archive-date=26 September 2020|title=Dellas delight stuns Czech Republic |work=[[UEFA]] |publisher=Union of European Football Associations |date=2 July 2004 |access-date=25 February 2012}}</ref> a rule which replaced the previous golden goal in 2003, before being abolished itself shortly after this tournament.

The [[UEFA Euro 2008|2008 tournament]], hosted by Austria and Switzerland, marked the second time that two nations co-hosted and the first edition where the new trophy was awarded.<ref>{{cite web |title=New UEFA EURO Trophy to be unveiled |url=https://www.uefa.com/newsfiles/387827.pdf |access-date=2 April 2023 |date=23 January 2006|work=[[UEFA]] |publisher=Union of European Football Associations}}</ref> It commenced on 7 June and finished on 29 June.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/MultimediaFiles/Download/competitions/euro/360459_download.pdf |title=UEFA EURO 2008 – Match Schedule |access-date=25 February 2012|work=[[UEFA]] |publisher=Union of European Football Associations |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051104103533/https://www.uefa.com/MultimediaFiles/Download/competitions/euro/360459_download.pdf |archive-date=4 November 2005 |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[UEFA Euro 2008 final|final]] between Germany and Spain was held at the [[Ernst Happel Stadion]] in [[Vienna]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/4634960.stm |title=Euro 2008 venues |date=27 May 2008 |work=BBC Sport |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=25 February 2012}}</ref> Spain defeated Germany 1–0, with a goal scored by [[Fernando Torres]] in the 33rd minute, sparking much celebration across the country.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/euro_2008/7363545.stm |title=Germany 0–1 Spain |date=29 June 2008 |work=BBC Sport |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=25 February 2012 |first=Phil |last=McNulty}}</ref> This was their first title since the 1964 tournament. Spain were the highest scoring team with 12 goals scored and [[David Villa]] finished as the top scorer with four goals. [[Xavi (footballer, born 1980)|Xavi]] was awarded the player of the tournament, and nine Spanish players were picked for the [[UEFA Euro 2008#Awards|team of the tournament]].

The [[UEFA Euro 2012]] tournament was co-hosted by Poland and Ukraine.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/history/news/0254-0d7b9f3ca38e-cfc74c21c1f1-1000--euro-joy-for-poland-and-ukraine/ |title=EURO joy for Poland and Ukraine |work=[[UEFA]] |publisher=Union of European Football Associations |date=19 April 2007 |access-date=10 January 2012}}</ref> Spain defeated Italy 4–0 in the [[UEFA Euro 2012 final|final]], thus becoming the first nation to defend a European Championship title, as well as the first European team to win three consecutive major tournaments.<ref>{{cite web |title=Record-breaking Spain retain European title |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/731302/record-breaking-spain-retain-european-title |website=[[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]] |access-date=24 October 2021 |date=3 July 2012}}</ref> In scoring the third goal of the final, Torres became the first player to score in two European Championship finals. He was equal top scorer for the tournament with three goals in total, along with [[Mario Balotelli]], [[Alan Dzagoev]], [[Mario Gómez]], [[Mario Mandžukić]], and [[Cristiano Ronaldo]], despite only being used as a substitute player. The tournament was otherwise notable for having the most headed goals in a Euro tournament (26 out of 76 goals in total); a disallowed goal in the [[UEFA Euro 2012 Group D|England versus Ukraine]] group game which replays showed had crossed the goal line, and which prompted [[List of presidents of FIFA|President of FIFA]] [[Sepp Blatter]] to [[Twitter|tweet]], "GLT ([[Goal-line technology]]) is no longer an alternative but a necessity",<ref>{{cite web |title=Sepp Blatter confident of positive goal-line technology vote |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/18520916 |work=BBC Sport |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |date=21 June 2012 |access-date=2 July 2012}}</ref> thus reversing his long-held reluctance to embrace such technology; and some crowd violence in group games.

===Expansion to 24 teams (2016–present)===
In 2007, the [[Football Association of Ireland]] and [[Scottish Football Association]] proposed the expansion of the tournament, which was later confirmed by the UEFA Executive Committee in September 2008.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/7636495.stm |title=Uefa to expand Euro Championship |website=[[BBC Sport]] |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |date=26 September 2008 |access-date=6 December 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=EURO expands to 24 |url=http://www.uefa.com/news/newsid=754239.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302232022/http://www.uefa.com/news/newsid=754239.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 March 2014 |work=[[UEFA]] |publisher=Union of European Football Associations |access-date=23 February 2014 |date=26 September 2008}}</ref> Out of the 54 member associations of UEFA, only three, including [[The Football Association|England]] and [[German Football Association|Germany]], opposed the expansion.<ref name="platini-annoyed">{{cite web |title=Michel Platini annoyed at England after they opposed expansion of Euro 2016 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/feb/22/michel-platini-england-germany-european-championships |work=The Guardian|access-date=23 February 2014 |date=22 February 2014}}</ref> On 28 May 2010, UEFA announced that [[UEFA Euro 2016]] would be hosted by France. France beat bids of Turkey (7–6 in voting in the second voting round) and Italy, which had the fewest votes in the first voting round.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/8711016.stm |title=France beat Turkey and Italy to stage Euro 2016 |date=28 May 2010 |work=BBC Sport |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=11 January 2012}}</ref> Euro 2016 was the first to have 24 teams in the finals.<ref>{{cite news|date=27 September 2008|title=UEFA approves 24-team Euro from 2016|work=[[UEFA]]|publisher=Union of European Football Associations|url=https://www.uefa.com/MultimediaFiles/Download/PressRelease/uefa/UEFAMedia/75/42/19/754219_DOWNLOAD.pdf|access-date=22 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100704224415/https://www.uefa.com/multimediafiles/download/pressrelease/uefa/uefamedia/75/42/19/754219_download.pdf|archive-date=4 July 2010|url-status=live}}</ref> This was the third time France have hosted the competition. Portugal, which qualified for the knock-out phase despite finishing third in its group, went on to win the championship by defeating heavily favoured host team France 1–0 in the [[UEFA Euro 2016 final|final]], thanks to a goal from [[Eder (footballer, born 1987)|Eder]] in the 109th minute. Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal's world-renowned striker, came out of the game due to injury in the 25th minute. This was the first time Portugal won a major tournament.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Taylor |first=Daniel |date=10 July 2016 |title=Portugal beat France to win Euro 2016 final with Éder's extra-time goal |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/jul/10/france-portugal-euro-2016-match-report |access-date=21 November 2024|work=The Guardian|issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

For the [[UEFA Euro 2020|2020 tournament]], three bids were proposed, including a bid from Turkey,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.tff.org/default.aspx?pageID=285&ftxtID=14970 |title=TFF Başkanı'ndan Açıklama |trans-title=TFF President Announcement |date=17 April 2012 |language=tr |publisher=[[Turkish Football Federation]] |access-date=11 June 2012}}</ref> a joint bid from the Republic of Ireland, Scotland and Wales,<ref>{{cite web |title=Scotland and Wales consider late joint bid to stage Euro 2020 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/may/14/scotland-wales-bid-euro-2020?CMP=twt_gu |work=[[The Guardian]]|date=14 May 2012 |access-date=11 June 2012}}</ref> and a joint bid from Georgia and Azerbaijan.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5g2s4PRvCs36vHKqMSAIzif5zRozA?docId=CNG.05a104bb30d984d0f13d44f4a28dec46.371 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120525084521/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5g2s4PRvCs36vHKqMSAIzif5zRozA?docId=CNG.05a104bb30d984d0f13d44f4a28dec46.371 |url-status=dead |archive-date=25 May 2012 |title=Georgia makes solo bid for Euro 2020 |date=15 May 2012 |work=AFP |access-date=11 June 2012}}</ref> In December 2012, however, UEFA announced that the 2020 tournament would be hosted in several cities in various countries across Europe, with the semi-finals and final being played in London.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro-2020/news/0252-0ce05d361003-69d37557d56a-1000--uefa-euro-2020-to-be-held-across-continent/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731185756/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro-2020/news/0252-0ce05d361003-69d37557d56a-1000--uefa-euro-2020-to-be-held-across-continent/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=31 July 2020 |title=UEFA EURO 2020 to be held across continent |access-date=24 January 2013 |date=6 December 2012 |work=[[UEFA]] |publisher=Union of European Football Associations}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro-2020/news/0256-0dd74d2cf7cc-56813840afe0-1000--euro-2020-host-cities/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191105043420/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro-2020/news/0256-0dd74d2cf7cc-56813840afe0-1000--euro-2020-host-cities/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 November 2019 |title=EURO 2020: host cities and stadiums |access-date=20 August 2020 |date=30 November 2019 |work=[[UEFA]] |publisher=Union of European Football Associations}}</ref> The venues were selected and announced by UEFA on 19 September 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro-2020/news/newsid=2151146.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140920055643/http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro-2020/news/newsid=2151146.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=20 September 2014 |title=Wembley to stage UEFA EURO 2020 final |website=[[UEFA]] |publisher=Union of European Football Associations |date=19 September 2014}}</ref> However, [[Brussels]] was removed as a host city on 7 December 2017 due to delays with the building of the [[Eurostadium]].<ref name="opening match">{{cite news |url=http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro-2020/news/newsid=2525102.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171207172424/http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro-2020/news/newsid=2525102.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=7 December 2017 |title=EURO 2020 to open in Rome, more London games, venues paired |website=[[UEFA]] |publisher=Union of European Football Associations |date=7 December 2017 |access-date=7 December 2017}}</ref> On 17 March 2020, UEFA announced that Euro 2020 would be delayed by a year due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Europe]], and proposed it take place from 11 June to 11 July 2021. The competition was postponed in order to reduce pressure on the public services in affected countries and to provide space in the calendar for the completion of domestic leagues that had been suspended.<ref name="postponed">{{cite news|date=17 March 2020|title=UEFA postpones EURO 2020 by 12 months|website=[[UEFA]]|publisher=Union of European Football Associations|url=https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/025b-0f8e76aef315-8506a9de10aa-1000--uefa-postpones-euro-2020-by-12-months/|access-date=17 March 2020}}</ref> Before the Euro 2020, [[Dublin]] was also removed as one of the host cities due to its inability to guarantee spectators to the stadium, while [[Bilbao]] was replaced by [[Seville]] for the same reason.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Fallon|first=John|title=Euro 2020: Why has Dublin lost hosting rights? What happens if I have tickets?|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/international/euro-2020-why-has-dublin-lost-hosting-rights-what-happens-if-i-have-tickets-1.4545809|access-date=2021-06-01|newspaper=The Irish Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.football-espana.net/2021/04/16/euro-2020-seville-to-replace-bilbao-as-spanish-host-city|title=Euro 2020: Seville to replace Bilbao as Spanish host city – Football Espana|date=16 April 2021}}</ref> In the [[UEFA Euro 2020 final|final]], Italy defeated maiden finalists England 3–2 on penalties, after the game was tied 1–1 after extra time, to win their second European Championship.<ref>{{cite web |title=Euro 2020 final: England beaten by Italy on penalties |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/51198762 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=6 June 2022 |date=11 July 2021}}</ref>

The [[UEFA Euro 2024|2024 tournament]] returned to its usual four-year cycle after the 2020 edition was postponed to 2021 due to the pandemic. Germany would beat Turkey for tournament hosting rights, marking the third time it would take place on German territory.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/45666950 |title=Euro 2024: Germany beats Turkey to host tournament |date=27 September 2018 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=26 April 2025|archive-date=12 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240212031520/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/45666950 |url-status=live }}</ref> Spain went on to win the tournament for a record fourth time after defeating England 2–1 in the [[UEFA Euro 2024 final|final]].<ref>{{cite news |date=14 July 2024 |title=Spain 2–1 England: Late Oyarzabal winner earns La Roja record fourth EURO crown |url=https://www.uefa.com/euro2024/news/028f-1b5e5c2b7b67-d5faab9be20b-1000--spain-2-1-england-late-oyarzabal-winner-earns-la-roja-reco/ |access-date=26 April 2025|website=[[UEFA]] |publisher=Union of European Football Associations}}</ref>

==Trophy==
[[File:UEFA Euro 2020 Trophy (cropped).jpg|thumb|200px|The trophy on display in 2021]]
The Henri Delaunay Trophy, which is awarded to the winner of the European Championship,<ref>{{Cite web |title=What is the UEFA Euro 2024 trophy? |url=https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/what-is-the-uefa-euro-2024-trophy-germany-henri-delaunay-cup-26610 |access-date=2024-03-21 |website=bundesliga.com - the official Bundesliga website}}</ref> is named in honour of [[Henri Delaunay]], the first General Secretary of UEFA, who came up with the idea of a European championship but died five years before the first tournament in 1960. His son [[Pierre Delaunay|Pierre]] was in charge of creating the trophy.<ref>{{cite web|last=Harrold|first=Michael|date=27 January 2006|title=You won't find a superior trophy|url=https://www.uefa.com/news/newsid=389177.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130402065204/https://www.uefa.com/news/newsid=389177.html|archive-date=2 April 2013|access-date=13 January 2012|work=[[UEFA]]|publisher=Union of European Football Associations|location=London}}</ref> Since the first tournament it has been awarded to the winning team for them to keep for four years, until the next tournament. This trophy bore the words ''Coupe d'Europe'' ("European Cup"), ''Coupe Henri Delaunay'' ("Henri Delaunay Cup"), and ''Championnat d'Europe'' ("European Championship") on the front and a juggling boy on the back.

For the [[UEFA Euro 2008|2008 tournament]], the Henri Delaunay Trophy was remodelled to make it larger, as the old trophy was overshadowed by UEFA's other trophies such as the new [[European Champion Clubs' Cup]]. The new trophy, which is made of sterling silver, now weighs {{convert|8|kg}} and is {{convert|60|cm}} tall, being {{convert|2|kg}} heavier and {{convert|18|cm}} longer than the old one. The marble plinth that was serving as base was removed. The new silver base of the trophy had to be enlarged to make it stable. The names of the winning countries that had appeared on the plaques glued to the plinth are now engraved on the back of the trophy,<ref>{{cite web|date=24 January 2006|title=New trophy for UEFA EURO 2008|url=https://www.uefa.com/news/newsid=387580.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130402070756/https://www.uefa.com/news/newsid=387580.html|archive-date=2 April 2013|access-date=13 January 2012|work=[[UEFA]]|publisher=Union of European Football Associations}}</ref> under the word ''Coupe Henri Delaunay'' and are written in English rather than French its predecessor had. Since 2016, the juggling boy was returned on the trophy's back.

The players and coaches of the winning team and the runner-up team are awarded gold and silver medals, respectively. Each association that competes in the final tournament receives a commemorative plaque. Each time the team losing semi-finalist, as well as each finalist, receive a dedicated plaque. Though there is no longer a [[third place play-off]], UEFA decided in the 2008 edition to award the semi-final losers (Turkey and Russia) bronze medals for the first time,<ref>{{cite web |title=Regulations of the UEFA European Football Championship 2006/08 |url=https://www.uefa.com/newsfiles/19079.pdf |publisher=UEFA |access-date=11 July 2016 |location=2.08 |page=3 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031010220110/http://www.uefa.com/newsfiles/19079.pdf |archive-date=10 October 2003 |url-status=live }}</ref> and did the same in the 2012 edition when Germany and Portugal received bronze medals.<ref>{{cite web |title=Regulations of the UEFA European Football Championship 2010–12 |url=https://www.uefa.com/MultimediaFiles/Download/competitions/euro/91/87/57/918757_download.pdf |publisher=UEFA |access-date=4 July 2012 |location=3.08 |page=4 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100215034039/https://www.uefa.com/MultimediaFiles/Download/competitions/euro/91/87/57/918757_download.pdf |archive-date=15 February 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> However, UEFA decided that losing semi-finalists would no longer receive medals from the 2016 edition onwards.<ref name="regulations 2016">{{cite web |title=Regulations of the UEFA European Football Championship 2014–16 |url=https://www.uefa.com/MultimediaFiles/Download/Regulations/uefaorg/Regulations/02/03/92/81/2039281_DOWNLOAD.pdf |publisher=UEFA |access-date=2 September 2016 |location=4.08 |page=11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219025616/https://www.uefa.com/MultimediaFiles/Download/Regulations/uefaorg/Regulations/02/03/92/81/2039281_DOWNLOAD.pdf |archive-date=19 December 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Bronze medals were previously awarded for winners of the third place play-off, the last of which was held in 1980.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-10-28 |title=SportMob – Everything you need to know about UEFA EURO history |url=https://sportmob.com/en/article/901356-everything-you-need-to-know-about-uefa-euro-history |access-date=2024-03-21 |website=SportMob |archive-date=28 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240228063759/https://sportmob.com/en/article/901356-everything-you-need-to-know-about-uefa-euro-history |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Format==
===The competition===
Before 1980, only four teams qualified for the final tournament. From 1980, eight teams competed. In 1996 the tournament expanded to 16 teams, since it was easier for European nations to qualify for the [[FIFA World Cup|World Cup]] than their own continental championship; 14 of the 24 teams at the [[1982 FIFA World Cup|1982]], [[1986 FIFA World Cup|1986]] and [[1990 FIFA World Cup|1990]] World Cups had been European, whereas the European Championship finals still involved only eight teams.

In 2007, there was much discussion about an expansion of the tournament to 24 teams, started by [[Scotland]] and the [[Republic of Ireland]], due to the increased number of football associations in Europe after the break-ups of [[Czechoslovakia]], [[Yugoslavia]] and the [[Soviet Union]], and the inclusion of [[Israel national football team|Israel]] and [[Kazakhstan national football team|Kazakhstan]]. The new president of [[UEFA]], [[Michel Platini]], was reported to be in favour of expansion which proved an accurate assumption. Whilst on 17 April 2007, UEFA's executive committee formally decided against expansion in 2012, Platini indicated in June 2008 that UEFA will increase participation from 16 to 24 teams in future tournaments, starting from 2016.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/7479293.stm |title=Uefa sets deadline over Euro 2012 |work=BBC Sport |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |date=28 June 2008 |access-date=13 May 2011}}</ref> On 25 September, it was announced by [[Franz Beckenbauer]] that an agreement had been reached, and the expansion to 24 teams would be officially announced the next day.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/7636495.stm |title=Uefa to expand Euro Championship |work=BBC Sport |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |date=26 September 2008 |access-date=13 May 2011}}</ref>

The competing teams are chosen by a series of qualifying games: in [[1960 European Nations' Cup|1960]] and [[1964 European Nations' Cup|1964]] through home and away [[Playoffs#Association football|play-offs]]; from [[UEFA Euro 1968|1968]] through a combination of both [[Tournament#Group tournaments|qualifying groups]] and play-off games. The host country was selected from the four finalists after they were determined through qualifying.

Since the expansion of the final tournament starting from [[UEFA Euro 1980|1980]], the host country, or countries, have been chosen beforehand and qualify automatically.

In most tournaments, the tournament consists of a [[Round-robin tournament|round-robin]] group stage followed by a [[single-elimination]] knockout stage.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
!rowspan=2 width=60| Year
!rowspan=2| Teams
!colspan=2| Matches
!rowspan=2| Format
|-
! {{abbr|Min.|Minimum possible matches, if no match had been replayed}}
! {{abbr|Act.|Actual number of matches, including all replays}}
|-
! [[1960 European Nations' Cup|1960]]
! 4
!colspan=2| 4
|rowspan=5| semi-finals, 3rd-place match, final
|-
! [[1964 European Nations' Cup|1964]]
! 4
!colspan=2| 4
|-
! [[UEFA Euro 1968|1968]]
! 4
! 4
! 5
|-
! [[UEFA Euro 1972|1972]]
! 4
!colspan=2| 4
|-
! [[UEFA Euro 1976|1976]]
! 4
!colspan=2| 4
|-
! [[UEFA Euro 1980|1980]]
! 8
!colspan=2| 14
| 2 groups of 4, 3rd-place match, final
|-
! [[UEFA Euro 1984|1984]]
! 8
!colspan=2| 15
|rowspan=3| 2 groups of 4, semi-finals, final
|-
! [[UEFA Euro 1988|1988]]
! 8
!colspan=2| 15
|-
! [[UEFA Euro 1992|1992]]
! 8
!colspan=2| 15
|-
! [[UEFA Euro 1996|1996]]
! 16
!colspan=2| 31
|rowspan=5| 4 groups of 4, quarter-finals, semi-finals, final
|-
! [[UEFA Euro 2000|2000]]
! 16
!colspan=2| 31
|-
! [[UEFA Euro 2004|2004]]
! 16
!colspan=2| 31
|-
! [[UEFA Euro 2008|2008]]
! 16
!colspan=2| 31
|-
! [[UEFA Euro 2012|2012]]
! 16
!colspan=2| 31
|-
! [[UEFA Euro 2016|2016]]
! 24
!colspan=2| 51
|rowspan=5| 6 groups of 4, round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, final
|-
! [[UEFA Euro 2020|2020]]
! 24
!colspan=2| 51
|-
! [[UEFA Euro 2024|2024]]
! 24
!colspan=2| 51
|-
! [[UEFA Euro 2028|2028]]
! 24
!colspan=2| 51
|-
! [[UEFA Euro 2032|2032]]
! 24
!colspan=2| 51
|-
|}

Up to 1968 draws were to be broken via a coin toss in all matches but the final, draw in final match was resolved via a replay.

No third place play-off has been played since 1980.

===Qualifying===
{{Main|UEFA European Championship qualifying}}
To qualify, a team must finish in one of the direct qualifying spots or win a play-off. After this, a team proceeds to the finals round in the host country, although hosts qualify for the tournament automatically.

The groups for qualification are drawn by a UEFA committee using [[Seed (sports)|seeding]]. Seeded teams include reigning champions and other teams based on their performance in the preceding FIFA World Cup qualifying and the last European Championship qualifying. To obtain an accurate view of the teams' abilities, a ranking is produced. This is calculated by taking the total number of points won by a particular team and dividing it by the number of games played, i.e. points per game. In the case of a team having hosted one of the two previous competitions and therefore having qualified automatically, only the results from the single most recent qualifying competition are used. If two teams have equal points per game, the committee then bases their positions in the rankings on:

# Coefficient from the matches played in its most recent qualifying competition.
# Average goal difference.
# Average number of goals scored.
# Average number of away goals scored.
# Drawing of lots.

The qualifying phase is played in a group format, the composition of the groups is determined through means of a draw of teams from pre-defined seeded bowls. The draw takes place after the preceding World Cup's qualifying competition. For [[UEFA Euro 2020]], the group qualifying phase consisted of ten groups; five of six teams and the remainder of five teams each.

Each group is played in a league format with teams playing each other home and away. The top two teams then qualified for the final tournament, with remaining places decided by playoffs depending on their ranking in the [[UEFA Nations League]]. As with most leagues, [[Three points for a win|the points are awarded as three for a win]], one for a draw, and none for a loss. In the eventuality of one or more teams having equal points after all matches have been played, the following criteria are used to distinguish the sides:

# Higher number of points obtained in the group matches played among the teams in question.
# Superior goal difference from the group matches played among the teams in question.
# Higher number of goals scored in the group matches played among the teams in question.
# Higher number of goals scored away from home in the group matches played among the teams in question.
# Results of all group matches:
## Superior goal difference
## Higher number of goals scored
## Higher number of goals scored away from home
## Fair play conduct.
# Drawing of lots.

===Final tournament===
Sixteen teams progressed to the final tournament for the [[UEFA Euro 2012|2012 tournament]]. They were joint hosts [[Poland national football team|Poland]] and [[Ukraine national football team|Ukraine]], the winners and the highest ranked second-placed team from the nine qualifying groups as well as the winners of four play-off matches between the runners-up of the other groups. These sixteen teams were divided equally into four groups, A, B, C and D, each consisting of four teams. The groups were drawn up by the UEFA administration, again using seeding. The seeded teams being the host nations, the reigning champions, should they qualify, and those with the best points per game coefficients over the qualifying phase of the tournament and the previous [[FIFA World Cup qualification|World Cup qualifying]]. Other finalists were assigned to by means of a draw, using [[UEFA coefficient|coefficients]] as a basis.

For the 2016 tournament, the expansion to 24 teams means that the teams will be drawn into six groups of four, with the six group winners, six group runners-up and the four best third-placed teams advancing to the round of 16 when it becomes a knockout competition.<ref name="regulations 2016"/>

The groups are again played in a league format, where a team plays its opponents once each. The same points system is used (three points for a win, one point for a draw, no points for a defeat). A schedule for the group matches will be drawn up, but the last two matches in a group must kick off simultaneously. The winner and runner-up of each group progress to the next round, where a knockout system is used (the two teams play each other once, the winner progresses), this is used in all subsequent rounds as well. The winners of the quarter-finals matches progress to the semi-finals, where the winners play in the final. If in any of the knockout rounds, the scores are still equal after normal playing time, extra time and [[Penalty shoot-out (association football)|penalties]] are employed to separate the two teams. Unlike the [[FIFA World Cup]], this tournament no longer has a [[third place playoff]].

==Results==
{{See also|List of UEFA European Championship finals}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center; width: 100%;"
! rowspan="2" width="2%" |{{abbr|Ed.|Edition}}
! rowspan="2" width="5%" |Year
! rowspan="2" width="10%" |Host
| rowspan="22" width="1%" style="background-color:#ffffff;border-top-style:hidden;border-bottom-style:hidden;" |
! colspan="3" |Final
| rowspan="22" width="1%" style="background-color:#ffffff;border-top-style:hidden;border-bottom-style:hidden;" |
! colspan="3" |Third place playoff
| rowspan="22" width="1%" style="background-color:#ffffff;border-top-style:hidden;border-bottom-style:hidden;" |
! rowspan="2" width="4%" |Number of teams
|-
! width="14%" |Winners
! width="10%" |Score
! width="14%" |Runners-up
! width="14%" |Third place
! width="10%" |Score
! width="14%" |Fourth place
|- style="height: 5em;"
!1
| [[1960 European Nations' Cup|1960]]
| align="left" |{{flag|France|1830}}
|{{fb-big|Soviet Union|1955}}
|[[1960 European Nations' Cup final|2–1]] {{aet}}
|{{fb-big|Yugoslavia}}
|{{fb-big|Czechoslovakia}}
| 2–0
|{{fb-big|France|1830}}
|4
|- style="height: 5em;"
!2
| [[1964 European Nations' Cup|1964]]
| align="left" |{{flag|Spain|1945}}
|{{fb-big|Spain|1945}}
|[[1964 European Nations' Cup final|2–1]]
|{{fb-big|Soviet Union|1955}}
|{{fb-big|Hungary}}
| 3–1 {{aet}}
|{{fb-big|Denmark}}
|4
|- style="height: 5em;"
!3
| [[UEFA Euro 1968|1968]]
| align="left" |{{flag|Italy}}
|{{fb-big|Italy}}
|[[UEFA Euro 1968 Final|1–1]] {{aet}}<br />2–0 ([[Replay (sports)#Association football|replay]])
|{{fb-big|Yugoslavia}}
|{{fb-big|England}}
| 2–0
|{{fb-big|Soviet Union|1955}}
|4
|- style="height: 5em;"
!4
| [[UEFA Euro 1972|1972]]
| align="left" |{{flag|Belgium}}
|{{fb-big|West Germany}}
|[[UEFA Euro 1972 final|3–0]]
|{{fb-big|Soviet Union|1955}}
|{{fb-big|Belgium}}
| 2–1
|{{fb-big|Hungary}}
|4
|- style="height: 5em;"
!5
| [[UEFA Euro 1976|1976]]
| align="left" |{{flag|Yugoslavia}}
|{{fb-big|Czechoslovakia}}
|[[UEFA Euro 1976 final|2–2]] {{aet}}<br />{{pso|5–3}}
|{{fb-big|West Germany}}
|{{fb-big|Netherlands}}
|3–2 {{aet}}
|{{fb-big|Yugoslavia}}
|4
|- style="height: 5em;"
!6
| [[UEFA Euro 1980|1980]]
| align="left" |{{flag|Italy}}
| {{fb-big|West Germany}}
| [[UEFA Euro 1980 final|2–1]]
| {{fb-big|Belgium}}
|{{fb-big|Czechoslovakia}}
| 1–1{{Efn|No extra time was played.}}<br />{{pso|9–8}}
|{{fb-big|Italy}}
|8
|-
! rowspan="2" |7
| rowspan="2" |[[UEFA Euro 1984|1984]]
| rowspan="2" align="left" |{{flag|France|1974}}
| rowspan="2" |{{fb-big|France|1974}}
| rowspan="2" |[[UEFA Euro 1984 final|2–0]]
| rowspan="2" |{{fb-big|Spain}}
! colspan="3" |Losing semi-finalists{{efn|No third place play-off has been played since 1980; losing semi-finalists are listed in alphabetical order.}}{{efn|At the [[UEFA Euro 2008|Euro 2008]], UEFA awarded bronze medals to the losing semi-finalists, Russia and Turkey, for the first time. Four years later, at [[UEFA Euro 2012|Euro 2012]], Germany and Portugal also received this recognition after their semi-final exits. Since 2016, UEFA no longer awards bronze medals to the losing semi-finalists.<ref>{{cite web |title=Is there a third-place playoff at Euro 2024? And are there bronze medals? |url= https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5627940/2024/07/10/euro-2024-third-place-playoff-bronze/ |website=[[The Athletic]] |publisher= [[The New York Times]] |access-date=24 July 2025 |date=10 July 2024}}</ref>}}
| rowspan="2" |8
|- style="height: 4em;"
| colspan="3" |{{fb|Denmark}} and {{fb|Portugal}}
|- style="height: 5em;"
!8
| [[UEFA Euro 1988|1988]]
| align="left" |{{nowrap|{{flag|West Germany}}}}
|{{fb-big|Netherlands}}
|[[UEFA Euro 1988 final|2–0]]
|{{fb-big|Soviet Union}}
| colspan="3" |{{fb|Italy}} and {{fb|West Germany}}
|8
|- style="height: 5em;"
!9
| [[UEFA Euro 1992|1992]]
| align="left" |{{flag|Sweden}}
|{{fb-big|Denmark}}
|[[UEFA Euro 1992 Final|2–0]]
|{{fb-big|Germany}}
| colspan="3" |{{fb|Netherlands}} and {{fb|Sweden}}
|8
|- style="height: 5em;"
!10
| [[UEFA Euro 1996|1996]]
| align="left" |{{flag|England}}
|{{fb-big|Germany}}
|[[UEFA Euro 1996 final|2–1]] {{aet|g=yes}}
|{{fb-big|Czech Republic}}
| colspan="3" |{{fb|England}} and {{fb|France|1974}}
|16
|- style="height: 5em;"
!11
| [[UEFA Euro 2000|2000]]
| align="left" |{{flag|Belgium}}<br />{{nowrap|{{flag|Netherlands}}}}
|{{fb-big|France|1974}}
|[[UEFA Euro 2000 final|2–1]] {{aet|g=yes}}
|{{fb-big|Italy}}
| colspan="3" |{{fb|Netherlands}} and {{fb|Portugal}}
|16
|- style="height: 5em;"
!12
| [[UEFA Euro 2004|2004]]
| align="left" |{{flag|Portugal}}
|{{fb-big|Greece}}
|[[UEFA Euro 2004 final|1–0]]
|{{fb-big|Portugal}}
| colspan="3" |{{fb|Czech Republic}} and {{fb|Netherlands}}
|16
|- style="height: 5em;"
!13
| [[UEFA Euro 2008|2008]]
| align="left" |{{flag|Austria}}<br />{{nowrap|{{flag|Switzerland}}}}
|{{fb-big|Spain}}
|[[UEFA Euro 2008 final|1–0]]
|{{fb-big|Germany}}
| colspan="3" |{{fb|Russia}} and {{fb|Turkey}}
|16
|- style="height: 5em;"
!14
| [[UEFA Euro 2012|2012]]
| align="left" |{{flag|Poland}}<br />{{nowrap|{{flag|Ukraine}}}}
|{{fb-big|Spain}}
|[[UEFA Euro 2012 final|4–0]]
|{{fb-big|Italy}}
| colspan="3" |{{fb|Germany}} and {{fb|Portugal}}
|16
|- style="height: 5em;"
!15
| [[UEFA Euro 2016|2016]]
| align="left" |{{flag|France|1974}}
|{{fb-big|Portugal}}
|[[UEFA Euro 2016 final|1–0]] {{aet}}
|{{fb-big|France|1974}}
| colspan="3" |{{fb|Germany}} and {{fb|Wales}}
|24
|- style=" height: 5em;"
!16
| [[UEFA Euro 2020|2020]]{{efn|Postponed to 2021 due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Europe]].}}
| align="left" |{{flag|Europe|name=Pan-Europe}}{{efn|Pan–European edition hosted by eleven countries: Azerbaijan, Denmark, England, Germany, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Romania, Russia, Scotland and Spain.}}
|{{fb-big|Italy}}
|[[UEFA Euro 2020 final|1–1]] {{aet}}<br />{{pso|3–2}}
|{{fb-big|England}}
| colspan="3" |{{fb|Denmark}} and {{fb|Spain}}
|24
|- style="height: 5em;"
!17
| [[UEFA Euro 2024|2024]]
| align="left" |{{flag|Germany}}
|{{fb-big|Spain}}
|[[UEFA Euro 2024 final|2–1]]
|{{fb-big|England}}
| colspan="3" |{{fb|France}} and {{fb|Netherlands}}
|24
|- style="height: 5em;"
!18
| ''[[UEFA Euro 2028|2028]]''
| align="left" |{{flag|England}}<br/> {{flag|Republic of Ireland}} <br/> {{flag|Scotland}}<br />{{flag|Wales}}
|
|
|
| colspan="3" |
|24
|- style="height: 5em;"
!19
| ''[[UEFA Euro 2032|2032]]''
| align="left" |{{flag|Italy}}<br />{{flag|Turkey}}
|
|
|
| colspan="3" |
|24
|}
'''Notes'''
{{notelist}}

==Summary==
{{See also|UEFA European Championship records and statistics#Comprehensive team results by tournament}}
[[File:European Football Championship winners.svg|thumb|320x320px|Map of winners]]
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+ Performances in the UEFA European Championship by team
|-
! scope="col" | Team
! scope="col" | Title(s)
! scope="col" | Runners-up
! scope="col" | Years won
! scope="col" | Years runner-up
|-
|{{fb|ESP}}
| style="text-align:center;" | 4
| style="text-align:center;" | 1
|[[1964 European Nations' Cup|1964]],{{efn|name=host|Hosts}} [[UEFA Euro 2008|2008]], [[UEFA Euro 2012|2012]], [[UEFA Euro 2024|2024]]
|[[UEFA Euro 1984|1984]]
|-
|{{fb|GER}}{{efn|Including West Germany}}
| style="text-align:center;" | 3
| style="text-align:center;" | 3
|[[UEFA Euro 1972|1972]], [[UEFA Euro 1980|1980]], [[UEFA Euro 1996|1996]]
|[[UEFA Euro 1976|1976]], [[UEFA Euro 1992|1992]], [[UEFA Euro 2008|2008]]
|-
|{{fb|ITA}}
| style="text-align:center;" | 2
| style="text-align:center;" | 2
|[[UEFA Euro 1968|1968]],{{efn|name=host}} [[UEFA Euro 2020|2020]]{{efn|name=host}}
|[[UEFA Euro 2000|2000]], [[UEFA Euro 2012|2012]]
|-
|{{fb|FRA}}
| style="text-align:center;" | 2
| style="text-align:center;" | 1
|[[UEFA Euro 1984|1984]],{{efn|name=host}} [[UEFA Euro 2000|2000]]
|[[UEFA Euro 2016|2016]]{{efn|name=host}}
|-
|{{fb|RUS}}{{efn|Including [[Soviet Union national football team|Soviet Union]]}}
| style="text-align:center;" | 1
| style="text-align:center;" | 3
|[[1960 European Nations' Cup|1960]]
|[[1964 European Nations' Cup|1964]], [[UEFA Euro 1972|1972]], [[UEFA Euro 1988|1988]]
|-
|{{fb|CZE}}{{efn|name=cz|Including [[Czechoslovakia national football team|Czechoslovakia]]}}
| style="text-align:center;" | 1
| style="text-align:center;" | 1
|[[UEFA Euro 1976|1976]]
|[[UEFA Euro 1996|1996]]
|-
|{{fb|POR}}
| style="text-align:center;" | 1
| style="text-align:center;" | 1
|[[UEFA Euro 2016|2016]]
|[[UEFA Euro 2004|2004]]{{efn|name=host}}
|-
|{{fb|SVK}}{{efn|name=cz}}
| style="text-align:center;" | 1
| style="text-align:center;" | —
|[[UEFA Euro 1976|1976]]
| style="text-align:center;" | —
|-
|{{fb|NED}}
| style="text-align:center;" | 1
|{{Sdash}}
|[[UEFA Euro 1988|1988]]
|{{Sdash}}
|-
|{{fb|DEN}}
| style="text-align:center;" | 1
|{{Sdash}}
|[[UEFA Euro 1992|1992]]
|{{Sdash}}
|-
|{{fb|GRE}}
| style="text-align:center;" | 1
|{{Sdash}}
|[[UEFA Euro 2004|2004]]
|{{Sdash}}
|-
|{{fb|SRB}}{{efn|Including [[Yugoslavia national football team|Yugoslavia]]}}
|{{Sdash}}
| style="text-align:center;" | 2
|{{Sdash}}
|[[1960 European Nations' Cup|1960]], [[UEFA Euro 1968|1968]]
|-
|{{Fb|ENG}}
|{{Sdash}}
| style="text-align:center;" | 2
|{{Sdash}}
|[[UEFA Euro 2020|2020]],{{efn|name=host}} [[UEFA Euro 2024|2024]]
|-
|{{fb|BEL}}
|{{Sdash}}
| style="text-align:center;" | 1
|{{Sdash}}
|[[UEFA Euro 1980|1980]]
|}
{{notelist}}

==Records and statistics==
{{Main|UEFA European Championship records and statistics}}
{{See also|UEFA European Championship awards|List of UEFA European Championship winning managers|List of European players with the most matches and goals at major tournaments}}

=== Top goalscorers ===
{{Main|UEFA European Championship top goalscorers}}
{{#section-h:UEFA European Championship top goalscorers|Overall top goalscorers}}

==Awards==
{{Main|UEFA European Championship awards}}
There are currently five post-tournament awards, and one given during the tournament:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/history/news/026b-12bea58fde6b-0f8e557a671a-1000--uefa-euro-2020-at-a-glance/|title=UEFA EURO 2016 at a glance|website=[[UEFA]]|publisher=Union of European Football |date=11 July 2016|access-date=28 November 2016}}</ref>
*Player of the Tournament award for the best player, first awarded in [[UEFA Euro 1996|1996]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=1996 FIFA Awards |url=https://www.topendsports.com/sport/soccer/awards/fifa-1996.htm#:~:text=Best%20Player%20Award:%20The%201996,d'Or%20was%20Matthias%20Sammer. |access-date=2024-03-21 |website=Topend Sports}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Percival |first=Holly |title=Euro 2020 player of the tournament: Who decides award after England vs Italy tonight? |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4206406/2021/07/10/capello-moyes-keane-the-famous-faces-who-decide-the-best-player-of-euro-2020/ |access-date=2024-03-21}}</ref>
*Top Scorer award (currently named [[Alipay]] Top Scorer award for sponsorship reasons) for the most prolific goal scorer.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-06-13 |title=UEFA Top Scorer trophy presented by Alipay unveiled for UEFA Nations League {{!}} UEFA Nations League |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefanationsleague/news/0282-184568a955f9-fa20b852667c-1000--uefa-top-scorer-trophy-presented-by-alipay-unveiled-for-uefa/ |access-date=2024-03-21|website=[[UEFA]]|publisher=Union of European Football}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-06-10 |title=Alipay Top Scorer trophy unveiled for UEFA EURO 2020 |url=https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/026a-127c2251876f-35ab1bb63f57-1000--alipay-top-scorer-trophy-unveiled-for-uefa-euro-2020/ |access-date=2024-03-21|website=[[UEFA]]|publisher=Union of European Football}}</ref>
*Young Player of the Tournament (currently named [[SOCAR]] Young Player of the Tournament for sponsorship reasons) for the best player under the age of 21, first awarded in [[UEFA Euro 2016|2016]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-06-09 |title=Bernardo Silva and Frenkie de Jong win Nations League awards {{!}} UEFA Nations League |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefanationsleague/news/0253-0d81efc3f60a-0d39c305041d-1000--bernardo-silva-and-frenkie-de-jong-win-nations-league-awards/ |access-date=2024-03-21|website=[[UEFA]]|publisher=Union of European Football}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Lamine Camara Chosen as Best Young Player in AFCON Group Stage |url=https://www.beinsports.com/en-us/soccer/africa-cup-of-nations/articles-video/for-this-reason-lamine-camara-chosen-as-best-young-player-in-afcon-group-stage-2024-01-25 |access-date=2024-03-21 |website=beIN SPORTS}}</ref>
*Man of the Match award for outstanding performance during each game of the tournament, first awarded in 1996.
*Team of the Tournament award for the best combined team of players in the tournament.

==See also==
*[[British Home Championship]]
*[[Central European International Cup]]
*[[UEFA European Championship mascot]]
*[[UEFA European Championship records and statistics]]
*[[UEFA European Championship top goalscorers]]
*[[UEFA European Championship Teams of the Tournament]]
*[[UEFA European Under-17 Championship]]
*[[UEFA European Under-19 Championship]]
*[[UEFA European Under-21 Championship]]
*[[UEFA Women's Championship]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website|https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/}}
* [https://www.rsssf.org/tablese/eurochamp.html European Championship results] at the [[RSSSF]]

{{UEFA European Football Championship}}
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[[Category:UEFA European Championship| ]]
[[Category:Men's continental association football competitions in Europe|Championship]]
[[Category:Men's international association football competitions in Europe|Championship]]
[[Category:UEFA competitions for men's national teams|Championship]]
[[Category:European championships in association football|European Championship]]
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