UEFA European Championship (Euro), commonly known as the Euro, is a prestigious international football tournament organized by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), held every four years to determine the best team in Europe. This article UU88 provides comprehensive information about the Euro, from history, competition format, to memorable highlights and how to follow the tournament.
What is the UEFA European Championship (Euro)?
The UEFA European Championship is an international football tournament where UEFA member teams compete for the Henri Delaunay Trophy, named after the tournament’s founder. The Euro usually takes place over a month in the summer, with matches held in one or more UEFA member countries.
The tournament attracts millions of fans worldwide thanks to its high quality of play, drama, and diversity of football styles from countries such as Spain, Germany, Italy, to emerging teams such as Iceland or Wales.
The Euro is not only a sporting arena but also a cultural event, promoting the spirit of European solidarity and providing opportunities for teams to experiment with tactics, develop young players, and assert their position on the world football map.
History and development
To better understand the importance of the Euro, it is necessary to explore the origin and development of the tournament.
Origin of formation
The idea of the Euro was proposed by Henri Delaunay, General Secretary of the French Football Federation, in the 1920s, but it was not until 1960 that the tournament officially began as the European Nations’ Cup. The first final was played in Paris, France, between the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia, with the Soviet Union winning 2-1 after extra time. From 1968, the tournament was renamed the UEFA European Championship.
Development
The Euro has expanded in size over the decades:
- 1960-1980:Starting with four teams in the final round, the tournament gradually increased to eight teams from 1980.
- 1996-2012:The number of teams was expanded to 16, allowing more countries to participate.
- 2016-present:Euro 2016 increased the number of teams to 24, giving smaller teams like Iceland and Wales a chance to shine.
In 2020, the first Euro was held in 11 countries across Europe to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the tournament, with Italy winning after beating England on penalties. Euro 2024 in Germany saw Spain win their fourth title, beating England 2-1 in the final with goals from Nico Williams and Mikel Oyarzabal.
Competition format and participating teams
Euro has a clear competition format, ensuring competitiveness and drama.
Competition format
UEFA teams (currently 55 members) compete in qualifying tournaments in the two years leading up to the tournament to select 24 teams for the finals. The host team usually gets a bye-in (except Euro 2020, which has multiple co-hosts).
- Group stage:The 24 teams are divided into six groups of four teams each. Each team plays a round-robin tournament, with three points awarded for a win, one point for a draw, and zero points for a loss. The top two teams in each group and the four best third-placed teams advance to the knockout round.
- Knockout round:Consists of the round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final. Matches last 90 minutes, and can go into extra time or penalties if the result is a draw.
- Championship Cup:The winning team received the Henri Delaunay Trophy, a silver design, 60cm high, weighing 8kg, renewed since 2008.
Participating teams
All 55 UEFA members have a chance to qualify. Top teams like Germany, Spain, Italy, France, England, and the Netherlands are regulars, while smaller teams like Iceland, Wales, and North Macedonia have surprised in recent seasons.
Conclusion
UEFA European Championship (Euro)is a prestigious football tournament, bringing dramatic matches and surprising moments from top European teams. Follow the channels thể thao UU88 Officially, join the fan community, and get ready for Euro 2028 (scheduled for England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland) to continue living your passion for football!