The tournament was founded in 1958.Is the primary association football competition contested by the senior men’s national teams of the members of the Union of European football associations. Is meant to determine the continental champion of Europe. It consists of 24 teams; (55 eligible to enter qualification).
The competition is held every four years since 1960.It was initially called the uefa European nations cup before changing their current name in 1968.The current champions are Portugal who has one title and the most successful teams in the tournament are Germany and Spain each with three titles in total.
Before entering the tournament all teams are required to compete in a qualifying process other than the host nation(s) who qualify automatically. The tournament winner earn the opportunity to compete in FIFA confederations cup.Spain is the only team in history to have won consecutive titles in 2008 and 2012.It is the second most watched tournament after FIFA world cup.
Before 1980,only four teams qualified for the final tournament and 1996 the tournament expanded to 16 teams,since it was easier for European nations to qualify for the world cup than their own continental championship. Out of 24 teams in 1982,1986,1990 world cups were European nations whereas the European championship finals still involved only eight teams.
In 2016 the competition increased to 24 teams after much discussion about an expansion of the tournament spearheaded by Scotland and Netherlands due to increased number of football association across Europe and the break of Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union and the inclusion of Israel and Kazakhstan. On 25th September it was announced by Franz Becknebaner that an agreement had been reached.There would be 24 teams in the next tournament. Since the expansion of the tournament the host country or countries are chosen beforehand and qualify automatically. To qualify a team must finish in one of the qualifying spots or win a playoff after that a team proceeds to host country.
Qualification is played in a league format in groups and teams play each other home and away. Then teams either qualify for the final tournament or to further playoffs depending on their position in the groups. Points are awarded as three for a win and one for a draw like in the most leagues and none for a loss.Sixteen teams progress to the finals and eventually two meet in the finals where the winner is crowned the champion of the tournament. In 2012 Ukraine and Poland were the joint hosts. As I mentioned early Portugal are the current champions after beating France 1-0 at Stade de France, Saint-Denis in France officiated by Mark clattenburg(England).
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