UEFA European Championship
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The UEFA European Championship, commonly referred to 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. The competition has been held every four years since 1960, with the exception of 2020, which was postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
History[edit | edit source]
The idea for a pan-European football tournament was first proposed by the French Football Federation's secretary-general, Henri Delaunay, in 1927. However, it was not until 1958 that the tournament was officially established, with the first finals held in France in 1960. The Soviet Union won the inaugural tournament, defeating Yugoslavia 2-1 in the final.
Format[edit | edit source]
The tournament initially featured four teams, but it has expanded over the years. The current format involves 24 teams competing in the finals, which are held in a host country or countries. The teams are divided into six groups of four, with the top two teams from each group, along with the four best third-placed teams, advancing to the knockout stage.
Qualification[edit | edit source]
Teams qualify for the UEFA European Championship through a qualification process that takes place over the two years preceding the tournament. The qualification process involves a series of group stages and playoffs, with the top teams from each group earning a place in the finals.
Notable Tournaments[edit | edit source]
- 1960: The first tournament, held in France, was won by the Soviet Union.
- 1976: The final, held in Yugoslavia, was decided by a penalty shootout for the first time, with Czechoslovakia defeating West Germany.
- 1992: Denmark won the tournament despite not originally qualifying, replacing Yugoslavia due to the latter's disqualification.
- 2004: Greece won the tournament in a major upset, defeating Portugal in the final.
Records and Statistics[edit | edit source]
- Most Titles: Germany and Spain (3 titles each)
- Top Scorer: Michel Platini (9 goals in 1984)
- Most Appearances: Cristiano Ronaldo (21 matches)
Host Countries[edit | edit source]
The tournament has been hosted by various countries across Europe. Notable hosts include:
- 1960: France
- 1996: England
- 2008: Austria and Switzerland
- 2012: Poland and Ukraine
- 2020: Multiple cities across Europe
Related Pages[edit | edit source]
See Also[edit | edit source]
- List of UEFA European Championship winners
- UEFA European Championship records and statistics
- UEFA European Championship qualifying
- UEFA European Championship Final
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