UEFA European Championship - wikipedia UEFA European Championship For other uses, see European Championship in football. UEFA European Championship Founded 1960 Region Europe ( UEFA ) Number of teams 24 ( finals ) 55 ( eligible to enter qualification ) Qualifier for FIFA Confederations Cup Current champions Portugal ( 1st title ) Most successful team ( s ) Germany Spain ( 3 titles each ) Website Official website UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying UEFA Euro 2016 match between France and Romania Tournaments 1960 1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 2000 2008 2012 2016 2020 2024 The UEFA European Championship ( known informally as the Euros ) is the primary association football competition contested by the senior men 's national teams of the members of the Union of European Football Associations ( UEFA ), determining the continental champion of Europe. Held every four years since 1960, in the even - numbered year between World Cup tournaments, it was originally called the UEFA European Nations ' Cup, changing to the current name in 1968. Starting with the 1996 tournament, specific championships are often referred to in the form `` UEFA Euro ( year ) '' ; this format has since been retroactively applied to earlier tournaments. Prior to entering the tournament all teams other than the host nations ( which qualify automatically ) compete in a qualifying process. The championship winners earn the opportunity to compete in the following FIFA Confederations Cup, but are not obliged to do so. The 15 European Championship tournaments have been won by ten national teams : Germany and Spain each have won three titles, France has two titles, and Soviet Union, Italy, Czechoslovakia, Netherlands, Denmark, Greece and Portugal have won one title each. To date, Spain is the only team in history to have won consecutive titles, doing so in 2008 and 2012. It is the second most watched football tournament in the world after the FIFA World Cup. The Euro 2012 final was watched by a global audience of around 300 million. The most recent championship, hosted by France in 2016, was won by Portugal, who beat France 1 -- 0 in the final at the Stade de France in Saint - Denis after extra time. The final also attracted 284 million viewers which is the second most viewed game in European tournament history. Contents 1 History 1.1 Beginnings 1.2 Expansion to 8 teams 1.3 Expansion to 16 teams 1.4 Expansion to 24 teams 2 Trophy 3 Format 3.1 The competition 3.2 Qualifying 3.3 Final tournament 4 Results 5 Summary 6 Records and statistics 7 See also 8 References 9 External links History Beginnings Map of countries ' best results. 10 countries have won, counting Germany and West Germany as one 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. In honour of Delaunay, the trophy awarded to the champions is named after him. The 1960 tournament, held in France, had four teams competing in the finals out of 17 that entered the competition. It was won by the Soviet Union, beating Yugoslavia 2 -- 1 in a tense final in Paris. Spain withdrew from its quarter - final match against the USSR because of two political protests. Of the 17 teams that entered the qualifying tournament, notable absentees were England, the Netherlands, West Germany and Italy. Spain held the next tournament in 1964, which saw an increase in entries to the qualification tournament, with 29 entering ; West Germany was a notable absentee once again and Greece withdrew after being drawn against Albania, with whom they were still at war. The hosts beat the title holders, the Soviet Union, 2 -- 1 at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid. The tournament format stayed the same for the 1968 tournament, hosted and won by Italy. For the first and only time a match was decided on a coin toss ( the semi-final Italy vs. Soviet Union ) and the final went to a replay, after the match against Yugoslavia finished 1 -- 1. Italy won the replay 2 -- 0. More teams entered this tournament ( 31 ), a testament to its burgeoning popularity. Belgium hosted the 1972 tournament, which West Germany won, beating the USSR 3 -- 0 in the final, with goals coming from Gerd Müller ( twice ) and Herbert Wimmer at the Heysel Stadium in Brussels. 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 Champions. The 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 had to qualify. Czechoslovakia beat West Germany in the newly introduced penalty shootout. After seven successful conversions, Uli Hoeneß missed, leaving Czechoslovakian Antonín Panenka with the opportunity to score and win the tournament. An `` audacious '' chipped shot, described by UEFA as `` perhaps the most famous spot kick of all time '' secured the victory as Czechoslovakia won 5 -- 3 on penalties. Expansion to 8 teams The competition was expanded to eight teams in the 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. West Germany won their second European title by beating Belgium 2 -- 1, with two goals scored by Horst Hrubesch at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. 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. France won their first major title at home in the 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. 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. West Germany hosted UEFA Euro 1988, but lost 2 -- 1 to the Netherlands, their traditional rivals, in the semi-finals, which sparked vigorous celebrations in the Netherlands. The Netherlands went on to win the tournament in a rematch of their first game of the group stage, beating the USSR 2 -- 0 at the Olympia Stadion in Munich, a match in which Marco van Basten scored one of the most memorable goals in football history, a spectacular volley over the keeper from the right wing. UEFA Euro 1992 was held in Sweden, and was won by Denmark, who were only in the finals because UEFA did not allow Yugoslavia to participate as some of the states constituting the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia were at war with each other. The Danes beat holders the Netherlands on penalties in the semi-finals, then defeated world champion Germany 2 -- 0. This was the first tournament in which a unified Germany took part and also the first major tournament to have the players ' names printed on their backs. Expansion to 16 teams 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. The hosts, in a replay of the 1990 FIFA World Cup semi-final, were knocked out on penalties by Germany, who would go on to win in the Final 2 -- 1 against the newly formed Czech Republic thanks to the first golden goal ever in a major tournament, scored by Oliver Bierhoff. 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. France, the reigning World Cup champions, were favoured to win, and they lived up to expectations when they beat Italy 2 -- 1 after extra time, having come from being 1 -- 0 down : Sylvain Wiltord equalised in the very last minute of the game and David Trezeguet scored the winner in extra time. The UEFA Euro 2004 opening ceremony in Portugal. UEFA Euro 2004, like 1992, produced an upset : Greece, who had only qualified for one World Cup ( 1994 ) and one European Championship ( 1980 ) before, beat hosts 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 that they had been given odds of 150 -- 1 to win before it began ( being the second least likely team to have any success after Latvia ). On their way to the Final, they also beat holders France as well as the Czech Republic with a silver goal, a rule which replaced the previous golden goal in 2003, before being abolished itself shortly after this tournament. The 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. It commenced on 7 June and finished on 29 June. The Final between Germany and Spain was held at the Ernst Happel Stadion in Vienna. Spain defeated Germany 1 -- 0, with a goal scored by Fernando Torres in the 33rd minute, sparking much celebration across the country. 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 was awarded the player of the tournament, and nine Spanish players were picked for the team of the tournament. The UEFA Euro 2012 tournament was co-hosted by Poland and Ukraine. Spain defeated Italy 4 -- 0 in the final, thus becoming the first nation to defend a European Championship title and the first nation to win three major international tournaments in succession ( Euro 2008, 2010 World Cup, Euro 2012 ). In scoring the third goal of the Final, Fernando 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 England versus Ukraine group game which replays showed had crossed the goal line, and which prompted President of FIFA Sepp Blatter to tweet, `` GLT ( Goal - line technology ) is no longer an alternative but a necessity '', thus reversing his long - held reluctance to embrace such technology ; and some crowd violence in group games. Expansion to 24 teams 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. Out of the 54 member associations of UEFA, only three including England and Germany opposed the expansion. On 28 May 2010, UEFA announced that Euro 2016 would be hosted by France. France beat bids of Turkey ( 7 -- 6 in voting in second voting round ) and Italy, which had the least votes in first voting round. UEFA Euro 2016 was the first to have 24 teams in the finals. 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 final, thanks to a goal from 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. For the 2020 tournament, three bids were proposed, including a bid from Turkey, a joint bid from the Republic of Ireland, Scotland and Wales, and a joint bid from Georgia and Azerbaijan. In December 2012, however, UEFA announced that the 2020 tournament would be hosted in several cities in various countries across Europe. The venues were selected and announced by UEFA on 19 September 2014. However, Brussels was removed as a host city on 7 December 2017 due to delays with the building of the Eurostadium. Trophy The current trophy The Henri Delaunay Trophy, which is awarded to the winner of the European Championship, 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 prior to the first tournament in 1960. His son, Pierre, was in charge of creating the trophy. Since the first tournament it has been awarded to the winning team for them to keep for four years, until the next tournament. For the 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 8 kilograms ( 18 lb ) and is 60 centimetres ( 24 in ) tall, being seven inches longer and one pound heavier 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 plinth are now engraved on the back of the trophy. 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 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, and did the same in the 2012 edition when Germany and Portugal received bronze medals. However, UEFA decided that losing semi-finalists would no longer receive medals from the 2016 edition onwards. Bronze medals were previously awarded for winners of the third place play - off, the last of which was held in 1980. 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 World Cup than their own continental championship ; 14 of the 24 teams at the 1982, 1986 and 1990 World Cups had been European, whereas the European Championship finals still involved only eight teams. For 2016, the competition has increased to 24 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 and 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. 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. The competing teams are chosen by a series of qualifying games : in 1960 and 1964 through home and away play - offs ; from 1968 through a combination of both 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 1980, the host country, or countries, have been chosen beforehand and qualify automatically. Qualifying Main article : UEFA European Championship qualifying To qualify, a team must finish in one of the 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 qualifying phase begins in the autumn after the preceding FIFA World Cup, almost two years before the finals. The groups for qualification are drawn by a UEFA committee using seeding. Seeded teams include reigning champions, and other teams on the basis of 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 2012, the group qualifying phase consists of nine groups ; six 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. Teams then either qualify for the final tournament or to further playoffs depending on their position in the group. As with most leagues, 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 2012 tournament. They were joint hosts Poland and 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, subject to qualification, and those with the best points per game coefficients over the qualifying phase of the tournament and the previous World Cup qualifying. Other finalists were assigned to by means of a draw, using 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. 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 progresses 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 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 Year Hosts Final Third place playoff Number of teams Winners Score Runners - up Third place Score Fourth place 1960 Details France Soviet Union 2 -- 1 ( a.e.t. ) Yugoslavia Czechoslovakia 2 -- 0 France 1964 Details Spain Spain 2 -- 1 Soviet Union Hungary 3 -- 1 ( a.e.t. ) Denmark 1968 Details Italy Italy 1 -- 1 ( a.e.t. ) 2 -- 0 ( replay ) Yugoslavia England 2 -- 0 Soviet Union 1972 Details Belgium West Germany 3 -- 0 Soviet Union Belgium 2 -- 1 Hungary 1976 Details Yugoslavia Czechoslovakia 2 -- 2 ( a.e.t. ) ( 5 -- 3 p ) West Germany Netherlands 3 -- 2 ( a.e.t. ) Yugoslavia 1980 Details Italy West Germany 2 -- 1 Belgium Czechoslovakia 1 -- 1 ( 9 -- 8 p ) Italy 8 Year Host Final Losing semi-finalists Number of teams Winner Score Runner - up 1984 Details France France 2 -- 0 Spain Denmark and Portugal 8 1988 Details West Germany Netherlands 2 -- 0 Soviet Union Italy and West Germany 8 1992 Details Sweden Denmark 2 -- 0 Germany Netherlands and Sweden 8 Details England Germany 2 -- 1 ( a.g.g.e.t. ) Czech Republic England and France 16 2000 Details Belgium & Netherlands France 2 -- 1 ( a.g.g.e.t. ) Italy Netherlands and Portugal 16 Details Portugal Greece 1 -- 0 Portugal Czech Republic and Netherlands 16 2008 Details Austria & Switzerland Spain 1 -- 0 Germany Russia and Turkey 16 2012 Details Poland & Ukraine Spain 4 -- 0 Italy Germany and Portugal 16 2016 Details France Portugal 1 -- 0 ( a.e.t. ) France Germany and Wales 24 2020 Details Pan-European 24 2024 Details Germany 24 Jump up ^ No extra time was played. Jump up ^ No third place play - off has been played since 1980 ; losing semi-finalists are listed in alphabetical order. Summary See also : UEFA European Championship comprehensive team results by tournament Map of winners. Germany : twice as West Germany and once as united Germany, Russia as Soviet Union and Czech Republic as Czechoslovakia Team Winners Runners - up Germany ^ 3 ( 1972, 1980, 1996 ) 3 ( 1976, 1992, 2008 ) Spain 3 ( 1964 *, 2008, 2012 ) 1 ( 1984 ) France 2 ( 1984 *, 2000 ) 1 ( 2016 * ) Soviet Union 1 ( 1960 ) 3 ( 1964, 1972, 1988 ) Italy 1 ( 1968 * ) 2 ( 2000, 2012 ) Portugal 1 ( 2016 ) 1 ( 2004 * ) Czechoslovakia 1 ( 1976 ) -- Netherlands 1 ( 1988 ) -- Denmark 1 ( 1992 ) -- Greece 1 ( 2004 ) -- Yugoslavia -- 2 ( 1960, 1968 ) Belgium -- 1 ( 1980 ) Czech Republic -- 1 ( 1996 ) * = hosts ^ = includes results representing West Germany between 1960 and 1988 # = states that have since split into two or more independent nations Records and statistics Main article : List of UEFA European Championship records See also Football continental championships British Home Championship Central European International Cup National team appearances in the UEFA European Championship List of UEFA European Championship goalscorers UEFA European Championship Teams of the Tournament UEFA Women 's Championship UEFA European Under - 21 Championship UEFA European Under - 19 Championship UEFA European Under - 17 Championship UEFA European Championship mascot UEFA Nations League, a tournament commencing in 2018 References Jump up ^ `` 2005 / 2006 season : final worldwide matchday to be 14 May 2006 ''. 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British Broadcasting Corporation. 27 May 2004. Retrieved 25 February 2012. Jump up ^ `` Schmeichel helps Denmark down Netherlands ''. UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 5 October 2003. Retrieved 26 February 2012. Jump up ^ `` Gatecrashing Denmark down Germany ''. UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 5 October 2003. Retrieved 26 February 2012. Jump up ^ `` Football comes home for Germany ''. UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 1 February 2012. Retrieved 25 February 2012. Jump up ^ `` Hosts denied by Germany in epic semi-final ''. UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 6 October 2003. Retrieved 26 February 2012. Jump up ^ `` Bierhoff hero of Germany 's EURO ' 96 win ''. UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 6 October 2003. Retrieved 26 February 2012. Jump up ^ `` England 1996 ''. BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 17 May 2004. Retrieved 25 February 2012. Jump up ^ Lister, Graham ( 1 December 2011 ). `` Euro 2012 History : The 2000 finals ''. Goal.com. Retrieved 11 June 2012. Jump up ^ `` Golden boy Trezeguet relives France 's 2000 glory ''. UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 20 December 2011. Retrieved 25 February 2012. Jump up ^ McNulty, Phil ( 20 December 2004 ). `` Greece defy the odds at Euro 2004 ''. BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 25 February 2012. Jump up ^ `` France 0 -- 1 Greece ''. BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 25 June 2004. Retrieved 25 February 2012. Jump up ^ `` Greece 1 -- 0 Czech Rep ''. BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 1 July 2004. Retrieved 25 February 2012. Jump up ^ `` Dellas delight stuns Czech Republic ''. UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 2 July 2004. Retrieved 25 February 2012. Jump up ^ `` Limit on international substitutions ''. UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 28 February 2004. Retrieved 25 February 2012. Jump up ^ `` All New Supersized Trophy for Euro 2008 ''. worldcupblog.org. 2 May 2008. Retrieved 25 February 2012. Jump up ^ `` UEFA EURO 2008 -- Match Schedule '' ( PDF ). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. Retrieved 25 February 2012. Jump up ^ `` Euro 2008 venues ''. BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 27 May 2008. Retrieved 25 February 2012. Jump up ^ McNulty, Phil ( 29 June 2008 ). `` Germany 0 -- 1 Spain ''. BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 25 February 2012. Jump up ^ `` EURO joy for Poland and Ukraine ''. UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 19 April 2007. Retrieved 10 January 2012. Jump up ^ 4 -- 0 FT. `` Spain v Italy live football scores Soccer scores and live video ''. ESPNFC.com. Archived from the original on 15 January 2013. Retrieved 2 July 2012. Jump up ^ `` Sepp Blatter confident of positive goal - line technology vote ''. BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 21 June 2012. Retrieved 2 July 2012. Jump up ^ `` Uefa to expand Euro Championship ''. BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 26 September 2008. Retrieved 6 December 2017. Jump up ^ `` EURO expands to 24 ''. UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 26 September 2008. Retrieved 23 February 2014. Jump up ^ `` Michel Platini annoyed at England after they opposed expansion of Euro 2016 ''. The Guardian. 22 February 2014. Retrieved 23 February 2014. Jump up ^ `` France beat Turkey and Italy to stage Euro 2016 ''. BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 28 May 2010. Retrieved 11 January 2012. Jump up ^ `` UEFA approves 24 - team Euro from 2016 ''. UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 27 September 2008. Retrieved 22 June 2012. Jump up ^ `` TFF Başkanı'ndan Açıklama '' ( TFF President Announcement ) ( in Turkish ). Turkish Football Federation. 17 April 2012. Retrieved 11 June 2012. Jump up ^ `` Scotland and Wales consider late joint bid to stage Euro 2020 ''. The Guardian. Guardian Media Group. 14 May 2012. Retrieved 11 June 2012. Jump up ^ `` Georgia makes solo bid for Euro 2020 ''. AFP. 15 May 2012. Retrieved 11 June 2012. Jump up ^ `` UEFA EURO 2020 to be held across continent ''. UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 6 December 2012. Retrieved 24 January 2013. Jump up ^ `` Wembley to stage UEFA EURO 2020 final ''. UEFA.com. 19 September 2014. Jump up ^ `` EURO 2020 to open in Rome, more London games, venues paired ''. UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 7 December 2017. Retrieved 7 December 2017. Jump up ^ Harrold, Michael ( 27 January 2006 ). `` You wo n't find a superior trophy ''. UEFA.com. London : Union of European Football Associations. Retrieved 13 January 2012. Jump up ^ `` New trophy for UEFA EURO 2008 ''. UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 24 January 2006. Retrieved 13 January 2012. Jump up ^ `` Regulations of the UEFA European Football Championship 2006 / 08 '' ( PDF ). 2.08 : UEFA. p. 3. Retrieved 11 July 2016. Jump up ^ `` Regulations of the UEFA European Football Championship 2010 -- 12 '' ( PDF ). 3.08 : UEFA. p. 4. Retrieved 4 July 2012. ^ Jump up to : `` Regulations of the UEFA European Football Championship 2014 -- 16 '' ( PDF ). 4.08 : UEFA. p. 11. Retrieved 2 September 2016. Jump up ^ `` Uefa sets deadline over Euro 2012 ''. BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 28 June 2008. Retrieved 13 May 2011. Jump up ^ `` Uefa to expand Euro Championship ''. BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 26 September 2008. Retrieved 13 May 2011. External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to European Football Championship. Official website at Union of European Football Associations UEFA European Championship history at Union of European Football Associations UEFA European Championship Tournaments France 1960 Spain 1964 Italy 1968 Belgium 1972 Yugoslavia 1976 Italy 1980 France 1984 West Germany 1988 Sweden 1992 England 1996 Belgium / Netherlands 2000 Portugal 2004 Austria / Switzerland 2008 Poland / Ukraine 2012 France 2016 Pan-European 2020 Germany 2024 TBA 2028 Qualifying 1960 1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 2000 2008 2012 2016 2020 Finals 1960 1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 2000 2008 2012 2016 Squads 1960 1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 2000 2008 2012 2016 Bids 1960 1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 2000 2008 2012 2016 2020 2024 2028 Tournament statistics 1960 1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 2000 2008 2012 2016 Broadcasting rights 1960 1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 2000 2008 2012 2016 2020 Records and lists Team appearances Goalscorers Hat - tricks Own goals Penalty shoot - outs Records Red cards Miscellaneous Awards Anthems and Songs Mascots Balls Video games Qualifying broadcasting rights UEFA European Championship symbols Albums 1996 : The Beautiful Game 2000 : Euro 2000 : The Official Album 2004 : Vive O 2004 ! Songs 1992 : `` More Than a Game '' 1996 : `` We 're in This Together '' 2000 : `` Campione 2000 '' 2004 : `` Força '' 2008 : `` Can You Hear Me '' 2012 : `` Endless Summer '' 2016 : `` This One 's for You '' Mascots 1980 : Pinocchio 1984 : Péno 1988 : Berni 1992 : Rabbit 1996 : Goaliath 2000 : Benelucky 2004 : Kinas 2008 : Trix and Flix 2012 : Slavek and Slavko 2016 : Super Victor Balls 1968 : Telstar Elast 1972 : Telstar Durlast 1976 : Telstar Durlast 1980 : Tango River Plate 1984 : Tango Mundial 1988 : Tango Europa 1992 : Etrusco Unico 1996 : Questra Europa 2000 : Terrestra Silverstream 2004 : Roteiro 2008 : Europass 2012 : Tango 12 2016 : Beau Jeu ( group stage ) & Fracas ( knockout phase ) Video games 1988 : Euro'88 1992 : Euro'92 1996 : Euro'96 2000 : UEFA Euro 2000 2004 : UEFA Euro 2004 2008 : UEFA Euro 2008 2012 : UEFA Euro 2012 2016 : Pro Evolution Soccer : UEFA Euro 2016 France Countries at the UEFA European Championship Team appearances Albania Austria Belgium Bulgaria Croatia Czech Republic Denmark England France Germany Greece Hungary Iceland Italy Latvia Netherlands Northern Ireland Norway Poland Portugal Republic of Ireland Romania Russia Scotland Serbia Slovakia Slovenia Spain Sweden Switzerland Turkey Ukraine Wales Considered a successor team by FIFA, or have competed under another name ( s ). International association football FIFA Federations Teams Competitions World Cup U-20 U-17 Confederations Cup Olympics Youth Olympics Universiade World Rankings The Best FIFA Football Awards Timeline of association football Comparison of association football and futsal Africa CAF -- Africa Cup of Nations U-23 U-20 U-17 Regional ( CECAFA, CEMAC, COSAFA, WAFU ) Intercontinental ( UAFA ) Asia AFC -- Asian Cup U-23 U-19 U-16 U-14 Regional ( ASEAN, EAFF, SAFF, CAFA, WAFF ) Intercontinental ( UAFA ) Europe UEFA -- European Championship U-21 U-19 U-17 Nations League North America, Central America and the Caribbean CONCACAF -- Gold Cup U-20 U-17 U-15 Nations League Regional ( CFU, UNCAF ) Oceania OFC -- Nations Cup U-19 U-17 South America CONMEBOL -- Copa América U-20 U-17 U-15 Non-FIFA NF - Board -- Viva World Cup CONIFA -- ConIFA World Football Cup ConIFA European Football Cup IIGA -- Island Games Games African Games Asian Games Central America Central America and Caribbean East Asian Games Francophonie Games Indian Ocean Island Lusophony Games Mediterranean Games Pan American Games Pan Arab Games Pacific Games South Asian Games Southeast Asian Games West Asian Games See also Geography Codes Player / Club of the Century Women 's football European Championships Olympic sports Team sports Association football Men Women Men 's club Women 's club Baseball Men Men 's club Basketball Men Women Men 's club Women 's club 3x3 Beach volleyball Curling Field hockey Men Women Men 's club Women 's club Handball Men Women Men 's club Women 's club Ice hockey Men Women Women 's club Rugby sevens Men Women Softball Women Volleyball Men Women Men 's club Women 's club Water polo Men Women Men 's club Women 's club Individual sports Archery Athletics Badminton Biathlon Bobsleigh & skeleton Boxing Canoeing Slalom Sprint Cycling BMX Mountain bike Road Track Diving Equestrian Dressage Eventing Show jumping Fencing Figure skating Golf Men Women Team Gymnastics Men 's artistic Women 's artistic Rhythmic Trampoline Judo Karate Luge Modern pentathlon Rowing Sailing Shooting Skateboarding Speed skating Short track Sport climbing Surfing Swimming Open water swimming Synchronised swimming Table tennis Taekwondo Triathlon Weightlifting Wrestling Non-Olympic sports Team sports American football Australian rules football Beach handball Beach soccer League WC qual. Cup Canoe polo Cricket Men Women Fistball Floorball Futsal UEFA men 's national teams UEFA men 's club UEFA women 's national teams UEFS men UEFS women Indoor field hockey Korfball Lacrosse Minifootball Pitch and putt Quidditch Roller hockey Men Women Men 's club Women 's club Rugby league Rugby union Men 's six nations Women 's six nations Men 's club Softball Men Co-Ed ( SP ) Tchoukball Individual sports Athletics Cross-country Indoor Mountain running Skyrunning Team Ballooning Billiards Pool Three - cushion Brazilian jiu - jitsu Canoeing Marathon Wildwater Ocean racing Chess Individual Team Cyclo - cross Dance sports Formation Latin Darts Go Gliding Gymnastics Acrobatic Aerobic Team gymnastics TeamGym Kendo Kickboxing Luge ( natural track ) Orienteering Racquetball Roller sports Artistic skating Freestyle skating Inline skating Sambo Short course swimming Ski mountaineering Snooker ( amateurs ) Squash Individual Team Sumo Water skiing Wushu Paralympic sports Disabled sports Athletics CP Football Judo Sledge hockey Swimming Wheelchair basketball Wheelchair rugby Sitting volleyball Motor sports Cars Formula 3 Hillclimbing Karting KF1 Radio - controlled racing Rallycross Rallying Sportscar ELMS GT3 GT4 Touring car Truck racing Motorcycles Speedway Individual Pairs Club Ice Supermoto Powered aviation Aerobatics Air racing Multi-sports events European Championships ( 2018 ) European Games Olympic sports without European Championships : Alpine skiing Cross-country skiing Freestyle skiing Nordic combined Ski jumping Snowboarding UEFA competitions Football National teams European Championship U-21 U-19 U-17 Nations League Women 's Championship U-19 U-17 Meridian Cup ( defunct ) Clubs Champions League Europa League Super Cup Youth League Cup Winners ' Cup ( defunct ) Intertoto Cup ( defunct ) Intercontinental Cup ( defunct ) Intercontinental Champions ' Supercup ( defunct ) Women 's Champions League Amateurs Regions ' Cup Amateur Cup ( defunct ) Futsal National teams Futsal Championship U-21 ( defunct ) U-19 Women 's Futsal Championship Clubs Futsal Champions League UEFA club competitions Records and statistics Winning teams Winning managers UEFA coefficient UEFA European Championship winners 1960 : Soviet Union 1964 : Spain 1968 : Italy 1972 : West Germany 1976 : Czechoslovakia 1980 : West Germany 1984 : France 1988 : Netherlands 1992 : Denmark 1996 : Germany 2000 : France 2004 : Greece 2008 : Spain 2012 : Spain 2016 : Portugal UEFA European Championship top scorers 1960 : Galić, Heutte, Ivanov, Jerković & Ponedelnik 1964 : Bene, Novák & Pereda 1968 : Džajić 1972 : G. Müller 1976 : D. Müller 1980 : Allofs 1984 : Platini 1988 : Van Basten 1992 : Bergkamp, Brolin, Larsen & Riedle 1996 : Shearer 2000 : Kluivert & Milošević 2004 : Baroš 2008 : Villa 2012 : Balotelli, Dzagoev, Gómez, Mandžukić, Ronaldo & Torres 2016 : Griezmann * : Golden Boot award winner ( when goals scored are tied ) UEFA European Championship -- Player of the Tournament 1996 : Sammer 2000 : Zidane 2004 : Zagorakis 2008 : Xavi 2012 : Iniesta 2016 : Griezmann WorldCat Identities BNF : cb11971219h ( data ) GND : 1035242 - 9 VIAF : 146042341 Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=UEFA_European_Championship&oldid=866059181 '' Categories : UEFA European Championship Recurring sporting events established in 1960 UEFA competitions European championships Quadrennial sporting events Hidden categories : CS1 Turkish - language sources ( tr ) EngvarB from August 2018 Use dmy dates from May 2011 Commons category with local link different than on Wikidata Wikipedia articles with BNF identifiers Wikipedia articles with GND identifiers Wikipedia articles with VIAF identifiers Talk Contents About Wikipedia Afrikaans Aragonés Asturianu Azərbaycanca বাংলা Беларуская Беларуская ( тарашкевіца ) ‎ Български Boarisch Bosanski Català Čeština Cymraeg Dansk Deutsch Eesti Ελληνικά Español Esperanto Euskara فارسی Føroyskt Français Frysk Gaeilge Galego 한국어 Հայերեն हिन्दी Hrvatski Bahasa Indonesia Italiano עברית ಕನ್ನಡ ქართული Қазақша Лезги Latviešu Lëtzebuergesch Lietuvių Limburgs Magyar मैथिली മലയാളം Malti मराठी მარგალური Bahasa Melayu Baso Minangkabau Монгол Nederlands नेपाली 日本 語 Norsk Occitan Polski Português Română Русский Scots Shqip Slovenčina Slovenščina کوردی Српски / srpski Srpskohrvatski / српскохрватски Suomi Svenska தமிழ் ไทย Türkçe Українська اردو Tiếng Việt West - Vlams 吴语 粵語 中文 70 more Edit links This page was last edited on 28 October 2018, at 00 : 17 ( UTC ). 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Question: who has won the most uefa euro cups
Answer: Germany