How many winners does UEFA EURO have? Who has the most UEFA EURO titles?
Today, we’ll give answers to these and other questions about UEFA EURO all the winners!
Short answer: Ten countries have won UEFA EURO since the first tournament in 1960. Spain have won the most titles, 4 (1964, 2008, 2012 and 2024), followed by Germany with 3 and Italy and France with 2 each. Spain won EURO 2024, beating England 2-1 in the final.
Key Takeaways
- Overview of UEFA EURO winners
- Historical context and significance
- Detailed list of winners by year
- Notable moments and records
How did the UEFA EURO Championship begin?
The UEFA European Football Championship, often called the Euros, began with an idea from Henri Delaunay, the French Football Federation’s secretary-general, back in 1927. However, the first tournament was held in 1960 in France, three years after Delaunay’s death, with only four teams competing in the finals.
The Soviet Union won the first tournament, defeating Yugoslavia 2-1 in the final.
Evolution of the Tournament Format
Over the years, the format of the UEFA EURO Championship has evolved significantly:
1960-1976: Initially, the tournament featured only four teams in the final stages. The format was simple, with semi-finals, a third-place playoff, and a final.
1980: The competition expanded to include eight teams, featuring a group stage followed by knockout rounds. With this change, more countries were able to participate in the tournament, which increased the tournament’s prestige.
1996: The number of teams doubled to 16, introducing a more comprehensive group stage and knockout rounds, which made the tournament more competitive and exciting.
2016: The latest expansion saw the tournament grow to 24 teams, improving its inclusivity and offering more thrilling matches in the group stages and beyond.
Which countries have won UEFA EURO?
Since the UEFA European Championship first tournament in 1960, 10 countries have become European winners.
Here’s a complete list of all the winners, from the teams with the most titles to those with fewer victories:
So, which country has won the most UEFA EURO titles?
Spain have won the most UEFA EURO titles: 4, after winning EURO 2024.
1. Spain (4 Titles)
- 1964
- 2008
- 2012
- 2024
2. Germany (3 Titles)
- 1972: West Germany
- 1980: West Germany
- 1996: Germany
3. Italy (2 Titles)
- 1968
- 2020
4. France (2 Titles)
- 1984
- 2000
5. Soviet Union (1 Title)
- 1960
6. Czechoslovakia (1 Title)
- 1976
7. Netherlands (1 Title)
- 1988
8. Denmark (1 Title)
- 1992
9. Greece (1 Title)
- 2004
10. Portugal (1 Title)
- 2016
Each of these teams has left a significant mark on the history of the UEFA EURO Championship, showing football excellence and providing unforgettable moments for fans around the world.
Who won UEFA EURO in each year?
Here’s a detailed year-by-year list of all the UEFA EURO winners since the tournament began in 1960:
1960: Soviet Union
- The first UEFA EURO was held in France, and the Soviet Union claimed the inaugural title by defeating Yugoslavia 2-1 in the final.
1964: Spain
- Hosted by Spain, the tournament saw the home team emerge victorious, beating the defending champions, the Soviet Union, 2-1 in the final.
1968: Italy
- Italy hosted and won the tournament, defeating Yugoslavia in a replayed final after the first match ended in a draw. Italy won the replay 2-0.
1972: West Germany
- West Germany won their first European title, defeating the Soviet Union 3-0 in the final held in Belgium.
1976: Czechoslovakia
- Held in Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia won the championship, famously defeating West Germany in a penalty shootout with Antonín Panenka’s iconic chipped penalty.
1980: West Germany
- Italy hosted the tournament, and West Germany secured their second title by beating Belgium 2-1 in the final.
1984: France
- France, led by Michel Platini, won their first major title on home soil, defeating Spain 2-0 in the final.
1988: Netherlands
- West Germany hosted the tournament, and the Netherlands won their first major title by defeating the Soviet Union 2-0 in the final, highlighted by Marco van Basten’s stunning volley.
1992: Denmark
- In a tournament held in Sweden, Denmark, who only qualified due to the disqualification of Yugoslavia, triumphed over Germany 2-0 in the final.
1996: Germany
- England hosted the tournament, and Germany won their third title, defeating the Czech Republic 2-1 with the first-ever golden goal in a major tournament, scored by Oliver Bierhoff.
2000: France
- The tournament was co-hosted by the Netherlands and Belgium, and France won by beating Italy 2-1 in the final with a golden goal by David Trezeguet.
2004: Greece
- Portugal hosted the tournament, and Greece pulled off a major upset by defeating the host nation 1-0 in the final.
2008: Spain
- Hosted by Austria and Switzerland, Spain won their second title by defeating Germany 1-0 in the final, with a goal by Fernando Torres.
2012: Spain
- Co-hosted by Poland and Ukraine, Spain became the first team to win back-to-back European Championships, defeating Italy 4-0 in the final.
2016: Portugal
- France hosted the tournament, and Portugal won their first major title by defeating France 1-0 in the final, with a goal in extra time by Éder.
2020: Italy
- The tournament, postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic but retaining the name EURO 2020, was held across multiple European cities. Italy won their second title, defeating England 3-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the final at Wembley Stadium.
2024: Spain
- EURO 2024 was hosted by Germany, and Spain won a record fourth title by beating England 2-1 in the final in Berlin, with goals from Nico Williams and Mikel Oyarzabal. Spain won all seven of their matches.
What are the UEFA EURO records?
These are the main team and player records in European Championship history, updated after EURO 2024:
- Most titles: Spain, 4 (1964, 2008, 2012, 2024).
- Most final tournaments: Germany (including West Germany), 14, every edition since 1972.
- Most matches played and won: Germany, 58 matches and 30 wins.
- Most wins at one tournament: Spain, 7 out of 7 at EURO 2024.
- Most goals at one tournament: Spain, 15 at EURO 2024.
- Only team to defend the title: Spain, in 2008 and 2012.
- Biggest win in a final: Spain 4-0 Italy (2012).
- Hosts who won the tournament: Spain (1964), Italy (1968) and France (1984).
- Lost two finals without ever winning: Yugoslavia (1960, 1968) and England (2020, 2024).
- Most appearances: Cristiano Ronaldo, 30, across a record six tournaments.
- Most goals: Cristiano Ronaldo, 14. The most at one tournament is 9, by Michel Platini in 1984.
- Youngest and oldest players: Lamine Yamal, 16 years 338 days, and Pepe, 41 years 130 days, both at EURO 2024.
For the full player lists, see the EURO most appearances and top scorers.
What are the most memorable UEFA EURO matches?
The UEFA EURO Championship has been the stage for many unforgettable matches and moments. Here are some of the most significant in the tournament’s history:
Highlight Significant Matches in UEFA EURO History
- 1960 Final: Soviet Union vs. Yugoslavia
- The inaugural final saw the Soviet Union win 2-1 in extra time, setting the stage for future European Championships.
- 1976 Final: Czechoslovakia vs. West Germany
- Famous for Antonín Panenka’s audacious penalty, Czechoslovakia won 5-3 in a shootout after a 2-2 draw.
- 1984 Semi-Final: France vs. Portugal
- Michel Platini scored a dramatic extra-time winner, leading France to a 3-2 victory and eventually their first EURO title.
- 1992 Final: Denmark vs. Germany
- Denmark, surprise qualifiers, won 2-0 against reigning World Cup champions Germany, completing a fairytale run.
- 2000 Final: France vs. Italy
- David Trezeguet’s golden goal secured a 2-1 victory for France, making them the first reigning world champions to win the EURO.
- 2004 Final: Greece vs. Portugal
- Greece shocked the world by beating hosts Portugal 1-0, a victory that remains one of the greatest upsets in football history.
- 2016 Final: Portugal vs. France
- Éder’s extra-time goal gave Portugal their first major title, defeating host nation France 1-0.
- 2020 Final: Italy vs. England
- Held in 2021 due to the pandemic, Italy won 3-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw at Wembley, marking their second EURO title.
- 2024 Final: Spain vs. England
- Mikel Oyarzabal’s 86th-minute winner gave Spain a 2-1 victory in Berlin and a record fourth European title, after Cole Palmer had equalised for England.
Key Turning Points and Dramatic Finishes
- 1968 Semi-Final: Italy vs. Soviet Union
- The match was decided by a coin toss after a 0-0 draw, with Italy advancing to and eventually winning the final.
- 1996 Semi-Final: England vs. Germany
- England’s hopes were dashed in a penalty shootout, with Gareth Southgate missing the crucial kick.
- 2008 Quarter-Final: Turkey vs. Croatia
- Turkey scored an equalizer in the 122nd minute and won 3-1 on penalties, showcasing the unpredictability of football.
- 2012 Final: Spain vs. Italy
- Spain’s 4-0 demolition of Italy set a record for the largest margin of victory in a EURO final, highlighting their dominance.
Historic Goals and Outstanding Performances
- Marco van Basten’s Volley (1988)
- Considered one of the best goals in football history, van Basten’s volley against the Soviet Union in the final is legendary.
- Michel Platini’s Hat-trick (1984)
- Platini scored nine goals in five matches, including a hat-trick against Yugoslavia, leading France to their first title.
- David Villa’s Goals (2008)
- Villa was the top scorer with four goals, playing a crucial role in Spain’s triumphant campaign.
- Cristiano Ronaldo’s Influence (2016)
- Despite being injured in the final, Ronaldo inspired his team from the sidelines, helping Portugal to their first major victory.
Conclusion
The UEFA EURO Championship has a rich history filled with memorable matches, dramatic finishes, and outstanding performances. Knowing the past winners not only enhances our appreciation of the tournament but also celebrates the excellence and competitive spirit that define European football.
