50 Fun Facts About UEFA European Championship

What was the tournament originally called before 1968?

The 1960 edition had four finalists from 17 entrants.

In which year did Henri Delaunay first propose a pan-European tournament?

The tournament finally started in 1958, three years after his death, and the trophy bears his name.

In which city was the first final played, in 1960?

The Soviet Union beat Yugoslavia 2–1; the finals had just four teams from 17 entrants.

Which country withdrew from its 1960 quarter-final against the Soviet Union over political protests?

England, the Netherlands, West Germany and Italy did not even enter.

In which stadium did the 1964 hosts beat the Soviet Union in the final?

Greece had withdrawn from qualifying after being drawn against Albania, with whom they were still at war.

How was the 1968 semi-final between Italy and the Soviet Union decided?

It is the only time a match in the tournament has been settled that way.

How was the 1968 final resolved after a 1–1 draw?

Until 1968 draws were broken by a coin toss in every match except the final.

Who scored twice in West Germany's 3–0 win over the Soviet Union in the 1972 final?

Herbert Wimmer got the other goal at Heysel in Brussels.

Whose chipped penalty won the 1976 final for Czechoslovakia?

Uli Hoeneß had just missed; UEFA calls it 'perhaps the most famous spot kick of all time'.

Which edition was the last with only four teams in the finals?

It was also the last time the host was chosen from the four qualifiers.

Who headed West Germany's late winner in the 1980 final in Rome?

He scored both goals in Rome, the second from a Rummenigge corner with two minutes left.

How many goals did Michel Platini score at Euro 1984?

In just five games, including the opener in the final against Spain.

In which year was the third-place play-off last held?

From 1984 both losing semi-finalists simply went home, and later briefly received bronze medals.

In which stadium did the Netherlands win the 1988 final?

Marco van Basten's volley there is often called one of the best goals ever scored.

Denmark were invited to Euro 1992 as a late replacement for which country?

UN sanctions blocked Yugoslavia; the Danes then beat Germany 2–0 in the final.

Euro 1992 was the first major tournament to feature what on players' shirts?

It was also the first tournament for a unified Germany.

Which edition was the first to use the 'Euro [year]' branding?

Hosted by England, it also doubled the field to 16 teams.

Who scored the first golden goal in a major tournament, in the Euro 1996 final?

It beat the Czech Republic 2–1 and gave unified Germany its first title.

Which newly formed nation reached the Euro 1996 final at its first tournament?

They beat Portugal and France in the knockout rounds after the dissolution of Czechoslovakia.

Euro 2000 was the first edition co-hosted by two countries: the Netherlands and which other?

Austria and Switzerland followed in 2008, then Poland and Ukraine in 2012.

Who scored the golden goal that won the Euro 2000 final for France?

Wiltord had equalised in the last minute of normal time against Italy.

Who scored the goal that won Euro 2004 for Greece?

The 57th-minute header beat hosts Portugal, whom Greece had also beaten in the opening game.

Which short-lived rule did Greece use to win their Euro 2004 semi-final?

It replaced the golden goal in 2003 and was itself scrapped soon after the tournament.

Who scored the only goal of the Euro 2008 final in Vienna?

It was Spain's first title since 1964; Xavi was player of the tournament and Villa top scorer.

Euro 2008 was co-hosted by Switzerland and which other country?

The final was played at the Ernst Happel Stadion in Vienna.

Which edition was the first to award the remodelled, larger Henri Delaunay Trophy?

The old trophy was being overshadowed by UEFA's other silverware.

How much does the remodelled trophy weigh?

It is 60 centimetres tall, two kilograms heavier and 18 centimetres longer than the original.

What figure appears on the back of the Henri Delaunay Trophy?

It was restored to the trophy's back from 2016.

By what score did Spain beat Italy in the Euro 2012 final?

It made Spain the first nation to retain the title and the first European side to win three straight major tournaments.

Who became the first player to score in two European Championship finals, in 2012?

He shared the 2012 Golden Boot with five others despite only coming off the bench.

A disallowed goal for which team at Euro 2012 prompted Sepp Blatter to back goal-line technology?

Replays showed the ball had crossed the line against England; Blatter tweeted that GLT was 'a necessity'.

Which two associations first proposed expanding the Euros to 24 teams in 2007?

England and Germany were among only three associations to oppose the expansion.

Which edition was the first with 24 teams?

Hosted by France, who beat Turkey 7–6 in the decisive vote for hosting rights.

Who scored the extra-time winner for Portugal in the Euro 2016 final?

Ronaldo had gone off injured after 25 minutes; it was Portugal's first major trophy.

Where did Portugal finish in its group at Euro 2016 before going on to win the tournament?

The expanded format let four of the six third-placed teams through.

In which city were the Euro 2020 semi-finals and final played?

The tournament was spread across cities in multiple countries and delayed a year by the pandemic.

Which city was dropped as a Euro 2020 host over delays building its Eurostadium?

Dublin was later removed too, and Bilbao was replaced by Seville over spectator guarantees.

Which city replaced Bilbao as a Euro 2020 host?

Bilbao could not guarantee spectators in the stadium.

How did Italy win the Euro 2020 final against England?

It finished 1–1 after extra time; England were first-time finalists.

Which country did Germany beat for the right to host Euro 2024?

It was the third tournament on German territory.

Spain's Euro 2024 final win over England gave it how many titles, a record?

Germany has three; Italy and France two each.

How many different national teams have won the tournament?

Spain has four, Germany three, Italy and France two, and six others one each.

From the 2020 edition, the Euros winner plays the Copa América champion in which match?

It revives the old Artemio Franchi Cup idea of a Europe-versus-South America showdown.

The Euros alternate on a two-year cycle with which national-team competition?

The Euros sit in the even year between World Cups.

In which year was the Player of the Tournament award first given?

The Man of the Match award began the same year; Young Player followed in 2016.

The Euros is the second-most watched football tournament after which event?

It is contested by senior men's national teams of UEFA members.

Which losing semi-finalists received bronze medals at Euro 2008, a first?

Germany and Portugal got them in 2012, but UEFA dropped the practice from 2016.

Which annual competition between England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland began in 1883?

It was the most important tournament for those teams until they entered the World Cup in 1950.

Who was in charge of creating the original Henri Delaunay Trophy?

The trophy is held by the winners for four years until the next tournament.

Who announced in September 2008 that agreement had been reached on expanding to 24 teams?

UEFA's executive committee confirmed the expansion, which took effect at Euro 2016.