How the Tournament Began

The idea of the European Championships was first though of in 1927 by Henri Delaunay. Delaunay was the head of the French Football Federation when he told people his idea, but the fact that the World Cup was being thought of was more important. When UEFA (Union of European Football Associations) was set up Delaunay became the general secretary. He began to set up two competitons - The European Cup for club teams and The European Nations Cup. Qualifying for the European Nations Cup - now known as the European Championship - started in 1958. The first finals were held in 1960. Sadly, Henri Dulaunay died in 1955 before he could see his dream but the trophy is named The Henri Dulaunay Cup in his honour.

1960

Only 17 nations took part in the first European Nations Cup but Spain withdrew from the competition at the last minute. Victor Ponedalnik scored the winner for the USSR in extra-time to make them the campions of the first European Nations Cup. All the results and stats from the 1960 tournament can be found here.

1964

For the EURO Championships in Spain, 29 teams entered. Denmark, Hungary, Spain and the USSR battled into the semi-fianls. Spain eventually beat the USSR in the final infront of 120,000 fans

1968

In 1966, the European Nations Cup was officially renamed the European Championships. Thirty-one teams enetered for the competition in Italy. They were arranged into 8 qualifying groups. The winners of each group went into the quarter-finals. The final was a close fought contest, with Italy needing a replay to beat Yugoslavia.

1972

The USSR maintained their record of reaching a semi-final in every championship so far. They defeated Yugoslavia but couldn't beat West Germany in the final. They got beat 3 - 0.

1976

Czechoslovakia's championship begam with a 3 - 0 defeat to England, but a series of good results after this saw they reach the final. The final against West Germany was a 2 - 2 draw, at full time and a 2 - 2 draw at the end of extra-time so, the first ever penalty shoot-out took place in the Euro Championships. Czechoslovakia won 5 - 3 on penalties.

1980

In 1966, the European Nations Cup was officially renamed the European Championships. Thirty-one teams enetered for the competition in Italy. They were arranged into 8 qualifying groups. The winners of each group went into the quarter-finals. The final was a close fought contest, with Italy needing a replay to beat Yugoslavia.

1972

The European Championships saw major changes in 1980. It was chosen as the host nation and was given automatic entry into the final stages of the competition but this didn't help them get to the final. West Germany again got to the final, and this time beat Belgium 2 - 1.

1984

For the first time in the Championships, the teams were grouped instead of having a knock-out competition. Out of the two groups of four, the winners and runners up progressed into the semi-finals. The final saw France and Spain meet where France defeated Spain 2 - 1.

1988

In the semis, the Dutch beat the Germans in a close game while the USSR comfortably beat Italy 2-0. The Dutchmen won the final 2 - 0 after Marco Van Basten scored "the best goal in the history of the Championship". The other goal was scored by Ruud Gullet.

1992

Just eleven days before the Championships were about to start, Denmark who had finished runner up in the qualifying group were on a team holiday. However, Yugoslavia were in the middle of a civil war and UEFA decided they could not compete. Denmark took their place an amazingly reached the final. They easily beat Germany 2 - 0.

1996

The 1996 finals were hosted in England - 30 years on from the World Cup victory. There were high hopes for England but a Gareth Southgate penalty miss in the semi-final saw Germany go on to the final. The final between Germany and the Czech Republic saw Germany win 2 - 1.

2000

The Euro Championships was co-hosted for the first time by Belgium and The Netherlands. England were woefully knocked out in the group stages despite beating Germany. But the winners were France, the World Champions, who beat Italy on a golden goal in the final. All the results and stats from the 2000 tournament can be found here.