EUROPEAN FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS
The UEFA European Football Championship is the main football competition of the men's national football teams governed by UEFA (the Union of European Football Associations).
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. Specific championships are often referred to in the form "Euro 2008" or whichever year is appropriate, although this phrasing was not used before Euro 96.
The winners earn the opportunity to compete in the following FIFA Confederations Cup, but are not obliged to do so.The idea for a pan-European football tournament was first proposed by the French Football Federation's Henri Delaunay in 1927, however it was not until 1958 that the tournament was started.
In honour of Delaunay, the trophy awarded to the champions is named after him. The 1960 Tournament, held in France, had 4 teams competing in the finals, out of 17 that entered the competition. It was won by the Soviet Union. The 2008 edition, hosted by Austria and Switzerland marked the second time that two nations co-hosted. 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. This is their first title since the 1964 tournament.
The 2012 Finals were jointly held in Poland and Ukraine and qualification matches started in Autumn 2010 with the Finals themselves taking place from 8th June to 1st July 2012. These Finals in Poland & Ukraine will be the last to feature 16 teams as the number of participants will increase to 24 from the 2016 Finals in France onwards.