Fun facts about UEFA's Euros

Been getting into the Euros 2024?

If you're anything like us, you'll be enjoying the nail-biting tension of this year's championship. 

But did you know that the UEFA European Championship, often referred to as the UEFA Euro, is one of the most prestigious football tournaments in the world?

Here are some other interesting facts about the football tournament.

History

The first one was held in 1960 in France. This means it's 64 years old!

Founding

Henri Delaunay, a French football administrator, was a key figure in establishing the tournament. The championship trophy is named after him.

Frequency

The tournament has been held every four years since it began, with the exception of 2020 which was postponed to the next year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Expansion

The tournament started with four teams in 1960, expanded to eight teams in 1980, to 16 teams in 1996 and to 24 teams in 2016.

Most titles

Germany and Spain hold the record for the most championships, with three titles each.

Top scorer

Michel Platini holds the record for most goals in a single tournament, and scored an impressive nine goals in Euro 1984.

Most goals

Cristiano Ronaldo holds the record for most goals scored in UEFA Euro history (combined across all Euro tournaments).

Most appearances

Cristiano Ronaldo also holds the record for the most appearances in Euro matches.

First winner

The Soviet Union won the inaugural tournament in 1960 where they beat Yugoslavia 2–1 .

Underdog victories

Denmark won the 1992 tournament despite not originally qualifying. They were invited to replace Yugoslavia.

Another unexpected moment in history is when Greece achieved a shock victory in 2004 by defeating the hosts Portugal in the final.

Euro 2016

Held in France. Portugal won their first European Championship by defeating France 1-0 in the final.

Euro 2020

Originally scheduled for 2020, it was postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic but retained the name Euro 2020. Italy won the tournament by defeating England in a penalty shootout in the final held at Wembley Stadium in London.

Multi-country hosting

Euro 2020 was unique as it was hosted across multiple countries to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the tournament.

This year

Euro 2024 is currently being hosted by Germany and has featured matches in ten different cities.

Anthems and mascots

Each tournament has its official anthem and mascot, adding to the cultural and entertainment aspects of the event.

Fan engagement

The tournament is known for its passionate fan base, with fans traveling from all over Europe to support their national teams.

The UEFA Euro has grown significantly since its inception, becoming a major event in the football calendar and a celebration of European footballing talent and national pride.

Will England get through to the finals? We will have to wait until 8pm on Wednesday to find out the answer!