Euro Championship History: 84 years
The last edition of the tournament was postponed due to the COVID pandemic. Nevertheless, we did cover it even under those conditions. Now, the next edition is fast approaching with Germany hosting the event for the first time since its reunification. Hence, there is a sense of anticipation for a championship that will leave a lasting mark in its history. From its first conception in 1927 to the modern day, the Euro Championship History has recorded memorable moments from legendary players and a path to evolution that we will take a look at.
Euro Championship History: From Conception to Realization
The idea first came in 1927, to the mind of the secretary general of the French Football Federation, Henri Delaunay. Sadly, it would take several years of planning and negotiations, before the first tournament could happen. It took 33 years before the first European Nations Cup was first held in France. Since then, it has become the third most anticipated football tournament in the world. For the record, the rivals for the first final were the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia with the first winning 2-1 at extra time.
In the 1960 Championship, only four teams participated: France, Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, and the Soviet Union. In addition, the first tournament happened in France, and the Soviet Union won it by beating Yugoslavia 2-1 in Paris during extra time. Until its dissolution, the Soviet Union participated in three more finals, while their opponents only once.
From 4 to 32
Over the years, the tournament has grown in size and popularity. The first change to happen was in 1980 when the tournament expanded to include eight teams instead of four. Basically, this decision was made to allow more nations to showcase their talent and increase the level of competition. In 2016 the tournament underwent another significant change expanding to 24 teams. The next expansion is scheduled for 2028 and the stadiums of England, the two Irelands, Scottland and Wales. Another 8 countries will be represented, bringing the total to 32.
Past Winners
60's
- Year: 1960
- Host country: France
- Participants: 4
- Champions: Soviet Union
- Runners-up: Yugoslavia
- Final Score: 2-1 in extra time
- Scorers: Galić (YUG) 43’, Metreveli (USR) 49’, Ponedelnik (USR) 113’
- Venue: Parc des Princes
- Attendance: 17,966
- MVP: Josef Masopust
- Year: 1964
- Host country: Spain
- Participants: 4
- Champions: Spain
- Runners-up: Soviet Union
- Final Score: 2-1 in regulation
- Scorers: Pereda (ESP) 6’, Khusainov (USR) 8’, Marcelino (ESP) 84’.
- Venue: Santiago Bernabéu
- Attendance: 79,115
- MVP: Jesus Maria Pereda
- Year: 1968
- Host country: Italy
- Participants: 4
- Champions: Italy
- Runners-up: Yugoslavia
- Final Score: 1-1 after extra time & 2-0 after the final was replayed
- Scorers: Džajić (YUG) 39’, Domenghini (ITA) 80’, Riva (ITA) 12’, Anastasi (ITA) 31’
- Venue: Stadio Olimpico
- Attendance: 68,817
- MVP: Giacinto Facchetti
70's
- Year: 1972
- Host country: Belgium
- Participants: 4
- Champions: West Germany
- Runners-up: Soviet Union
- Final Score: 3-0 in regulation
- Scorers: Müller (FRG) 27’, 58’, Wimmer (FRG) 52’
- Venue: Heysel Stadium
- Attendance: 43,437
- MVP: Gerd Müller
- Year: 1976
- Host country: Yugoslavia
- Participants: 4
- Champions: Czechoslovakia
- Runners-up: West Germany
- Final Score: 2-2 in extra time, 5-3 penalty shootout
- Scorers: Švehlík (CZ) 8’, Dobiaš (CZ) 25’, Müller (FRG) 28’, Hölzenbein (FRG) 89’
- Venue: Red Star Stadium
- Attendance: 30,790
- MVP: Antonin Panenka
80's
- Year: 1980
- Host country: Italy
- Participants: 8
- Champions: Germany (as West Germany)
- Runners-up: Belgium
- Final Score: 2-1 in regulation
- Scorers: Hrubesch (FRG) 10’, Vandereycken (BEL) 75’ (penalty), Hrubesch (FRG) 88’
- Venue: Stadio Olimpico
- Attendance: 47,860
- MVP: Horst Hrubesch
- Year: 1984
- Host country: France
- Participants: 8
- Champions: France
- Runners-up: Spain
- Final Score: 2-0 in regulation
- Scorers: Platini (FRA) 57’, Bellone (FRA) 90’
- Venue: Parc des Princes
- Attendance: 47,368
- MVP: Michel Platini
- Year: 1988
- Host country: West Germany
- Participants: 8
- Champions: Netherlands
- Runners-up: Soviet Union
- Final Score: 2-0 in regulation
- Scorers: Gullit (NET) 32’, Van Basten (NET) 54'
- Venue: Olympiastadion
- Attendance: 62,770
- MVP: Marco van Basten
90's
- Year: 1992
- Host country: Sweden
- Participants: 8
- Champions: Denmark
- Runners-up: Germany
- Final Score: 2-0 in regulation
- Scorers: Jesen (DEN) 18’, Vilfort (DEN) 78’
- Venue: Nya Ullevi Stadium
- Attendance: 37,800
- MVP: Peter Schmeichel
Note: From this tournament and onwards the logos changed from the previous uniform configuration to free designer.
- Year: 1996
- Host country: England
- Participants: 16
- Champions: Germany
- Runners-up: Czech Republic
- Final Score: 1-1 in regulation, 2-1 in extra time on Golden Goal Rule
- Scorers: Berger (CZ) 59’ (penalty), Bierhoff (GER) 73’, 96’
- Venue: Wembley Stadium
- Attendance: 73,611
- MVP: Oliver Bierhoff
00's
- Year: 2000
- Host country: Belgium - Netherlands
- Participants: 16
- Champions: France
- Runners-up: Italy
- Final Score: 1-1 in regulation, 2-1 in extra time on Golden Goal Rule
- Scorers: Delvecchio (ITA) 55’, Wiltord (FRA) 90+4’, Trezeguet (FRA) 103’
- Venue: De Kuip Stadion
- Attendance: 48,100
- MVP: Zinedine Zidane
- Year: 2004
- Host country: Portugal
- Participants: 16
- Champions: Greece
- Runners-up: Portugal
- Final Score: 1-0 in regulation
- Scorers: Charisteas (GRE) 57’
- Venue: Estádio da Luz
- Attendance: 62,865
- MVP: Angelos Basinas
- Year: 2008
- Host country: Austria - Switzerland
- Participants: 16
- Champions: Spain
- Runners-up: Germany
- Final Score: 1-0 in regulation
- Scorers: Torres (ESP) 33’
- Venue: Ernst Happel Stadion
- Attendance: 51,428
- MVP: Xavi Hernandez
10's
- Year: 2012
- Host country: Poland - Ukraine
- Participants: 16
- Champions: Spain
- Runners-up: Italy
- Final Score: 4-0 in regulation
- Scorers: Silva (ESP) 14’, Alba (ESP) 41’, Torres (ESP) 84’, Mata (ESP) 88’
- Venue: Olympic Stadium
- Attendance: 63,170
- MVP: Andres Iniesta
- Year: 2016
- Host country: France
- Participants: 24
- Champions: Portugal
- Runners-up: France
- Final Score: 1-0 in extra time
- Scorers: Eder (POR) 109’
- Venue: Stade de France
- Attendance: 75,868
- MVP: Antoine Griezmann
20's
- Year: 2021 (postponed from 2020 due to covid-19)
- Host country: 11 countries in Europe
- Participants: 24
- Champions: Italy
- Runners-up: England
- Final Score: 1-1 after regulation and extra time, 3-2 penalty shootouts
- Scorers: Shaw (ENG) 2’, Bonucci (ITA) 67’
- Venue: Wembley Stadium
- Attendance: 67,176
- MVP: Gianluigi Donnarumma
Euro Championship History: The Final Thoughts
To summarize, Euro Championships have a rich history filled with iconic goals, remarkable comebacks, or unexpected victories. It never fails to deliver excitement and drama on the biggest stage and level of European football. Equally, it offers great opportunities for profit and fun for those who open an account at the best betting agent.