European Championship

The European Championship is the main national football competition of the UEFA nations. Held every four years since 1960 it was originally called the European Nations Cup, changing to the current name in 1968.

Until 1976 only four teams entered the final tournament. From 1980 eight teams competed and from 1996 sixteen teams played in the tournament. The competing teams are chosen by a series of qualifying games, in 1960 and 1964 home and away play-offs but from 1968 qualifying leagues and also play-off games, the host country qualifies automatically.

Winners

• 2000 France
• 1996 Germany
• 1992 Denmark
• 1988 Netherlands
• 1984 France
• 1980 West Germany
• 1976 Czechoslovakia
• 1972 West Germany
• 1968 Italy
• 1964 Spain
• 1960 USSR

Hosts

• 2008 Austria/Switzerland
• 2004 Portugal
• 2000 Belgium/Netherlands
• 1996 England
• 1992 Sweden
• 1988 West Germany
• 1984 France
• 1980 Italy
• 1976 Yugoslavia
• 1972 Belgium
• 1968 Italy
• 1964 Spain
• 1960 France