This football tournament is also known as the Euros Cup. This competition is organized by Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). It is held once in every four years. The best teams from Europe compete for the coveted title of continental champion.
The UEFA European Football Championship 2024 proved to be the most existing events in the football calendar of 2024.
The buzz around the football championship 2024 grew intensely. Fans were not disappointed, and Euros delivered on expectations.
Since its inception in 1960, the tournament has evolved into a global spectacle. It stood second to the FIFA World Cup in terms of viewership.
The UEFA European Football Championship 2024 undoubtedly continued this tradition. It showcased the immense talent and passion of European football. The matches were broadcast worldwide.
Fans from all corners of the globe tuned in to watch their favourite teams and players battle it out on the grand stage.
The tournament's rich history is filled with legendary performances and iconic victories.
Interesting facts about UEFA European football championship
Before we dive into the nuisances of UEFA 2024, you really need to learn about these interesting facts from the history of the UEFA European Football Championship.
From the existence of the Golden Goal Rule to Who is Michel Platini?, we promise this list will not disappoint you.
- Spain is the only football team in UEFA history to have won two consecutive titles. They managed to achieve this remarkable feat in 2008 and 2012.
- UEFA introduced the Golden Goal rule in 1993. It was used in the 1996 and 2000 UEFA finals. This rule allowed the team that scored first in extra time to win the match immediately. It was abolished after the 2004 tournament.
- The victory of Denmark in 1992 is one of the most remarkable stories of UEFA. They won the tournament despite not initially qualifying. They simply took Yugoslavia's place due to the latter's disqualification.
- Otto Rehhagel is the only coach to have led a team to victory while not being from that country. The German coach led Greece to a surprising victory in 2004.
- In the 2012 UEFA European Football Championship, six players shared the goal- scorer title with three goals each. Fernando Torres was awarded the golden boot due to fewer minutes played compared to Cristiano Ronaldo, Mario Balotelli, Mario Mandzukic, Alan Dzagoev, and Mario Gomez.
- The trophy awarded at the EURO is named the "Henri Delaunay Trophy.” It is in honour of UEFA’s first general secretary. He is the one who proposed the competition. However, in a sad turn of events, he passed away five years before the first tournament in 1960.
- Spain is the only team to have successfully defended its title in the UEFA European Football Championship. They won consecutive tournaments in 2008 and 2012.
- Michel Platini holds the record for the most goals scored in a single UEFA tournament. He scored nine goals in 1984, leading France to their first title.
Everything to know about UEFA European Football Championship 2024
The 2024 UEFA European Football Championship marked the 17th edition of this prestigious quadrennial tournament. This tournament is hosted by Germany.
The championship spanned from June 14 to July 14, 2024. It features 24 teams, including Georgia, which made its debut in the European Championship.
This was the third time that the European Championship matches were played in Germany. However, it is the second in a reunified nation. West Germany hosted the 1988 tournament. Munich hosted four matches during the multi-national Euro 2020.
Notably, UEFA Euro 2024 was the first major football event held in what was formerly East Germany, with Leipzig as one of the host cities. This edition also marked the first major tournament since the 2006 FIFA World Cup that Germany hosted independently.
The tournament returned to its traditional four-year cycle after the 2020 edition was postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Host Selection Process for UEFA 2024
The selection process for the host nation of UEFA Euro 2024 began on March 8, 2017. UEFA announced that Germany and Turkey had submitted their bids. The decision was made by the UEFA Executive Committee through a confidential ballot.
This requires a simple majority to determine the host. In the event of a tie, the final decision would be made by UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin.
Out of the 20 committee members, 17 were eligible to vote, with Reinhard Grindel (Germany) and Servet Yardımcı (Turkey) being ineligible due to their national affiliations and Lars-Christer Olsson (Sweden) absent due to illness.
On September 27, 2018, in Nyon, Switzerland, Germany was selected as the host nation for UEFA Euro 2024. This decision reaffirmed Germany’s capability and enthusiasm for hosting major football events.
Although no formal interest had been announced by May 2012, they followed their initial plans to fully host Euro 2020.
The tournament of UEFA European Football Championship 2024
The UEFA European Football Championship 2024 lived up to the hype. The EURO 2024 teams were divided into six groups (A to F).
The initial group stage saw 24 teams compete fiercely to advance to the knockout rounds. Group divisions are as follows:
| Group A | Germany | Switzerland | Hungary | Scotland |
| Group B | Spain | Italy | Croatia | Albania |
| Group C | England | Denmark | Slovenia | Serbia |
| Group D | Austria | France | Netherlands | Poland |
| Group E | Romania | Belgium | Slovakia | Ukraine |
| Group F | Portugal | Turkey | Georgia | Czech Republic |
The Round Of 16 happened between Switzerland and Italy, Germany and Denmark, England and Slovakia, Spain and Georgia, France and Belgium, Portugal and Slovenia, Romania and Netherlands, and Austria and Turkey.
The quarter-finalists were Spain and Germany, Portugal and France, England and Switzerland, and Netherlands and Turkey.
The semi-final matchups were intense. Spain faced France and Netherlands clashed with England. Both matches were closely contested. Spain and England emerged victorious. They managed to secure their spots in the final.
The final match between Spain and England was the spectacular culmination of UEFA 2024. Spain triumphed in a tightly contested game. They add another prestigious title to their UEFA European Football Championship winners list.
UEFA European Football Championship winner
Spain had a remarkable journey and emerged as the winner of the UEFA European Football Championship 2024. Here's a detailed overview of their performance from the group stage to the final.
Spain Vs Croatia
Result: Spain 3 – 0 Croatia
The venue for the match was the Olympiastadion in Munich. This was a dominant match from Spain. They were ruthless in the first half, with three goals to their name.
In the second half, they showed a lot of solidity in defence. Fabian Ruiz was awarded the Player of the Match.
Spain Vs Italy
Result: Spain 1–0 Italy
The venue for the match was Veltins-Arena, Gelsenkirchen. Nico Williams was the Player of the match.
In the tense last few minutes, Spain emerged victorious. They topped Group B with this match Unfortunately for Italy, they did put a late fightback but they were not in the game for the majority of it.
Spain have been quite impressive and they have guaranteed their spot in the knockout stage.
Albania Vs Spain
Result: Albania 0 – 1 Spain
Spain beat Albania 1-0 to complete its group stage with three wins out of three games at the Düsseldorf Arena on Monday. Ferran Torres was the Player of the match.
Round of 16: Spain Vs Georgia
Result: Spain 4 – 1 Georgia
Spain won the match 4-1 and secured a spot in the quarterfinals. The match was held at the RheinEnergiestadion, Cologne. Rodri was the player of the match.
Quarterfinals: Spain Vs Germany
Result: Spain 2 – 1 Germany
The venue for the match was MHPArena, Stuttgart. Dani Olmo was the player of the match.
Spain beat Germany 2-1 in Extra Time. Spain opened the scoring with Dani Olmo, who shot into Beuer’s corner. Germany have been knocked out by Spain as a last-minute goal from Merino seals a semi-final spot for Luis de la fuente's side.
Semi-Finals: Spain Vs France
Result: Spain 2 - 1 France
Spain beat France 2-1 to complete the Finals of UEFA 2024 at the Allianz Arena, Munich. 16-year-old Laine Yamal was the Player of the Match and became the youngest ever scorer at the continental tournament.
France took an early lead when Randal Kolo Muani headed in a cross from Kylian Mbapp, who played without a mask, before Yamal's moment of brilliance in the 21st minute. Dani Olmo scored the clincher four minutes later.
Finals: Spain Vs England
Result: Spain 2 – 1 England
The venue for the UEFA 2024 finals was the Olympiastadion in Berlin.
It was an intense first-half as Spain dominated but England soaked up the pressure and held them to a 0-0 scoreline.
In the second-half, Spain struck early, as Neco Williams scored in the 47th-minute to give his side a 1-0 lead.
But Cole Palmer equalised in the 73rd minute, bringing England back to the game. Spain substitute Mikel Oyarzabal scored a late winner in the 86th minute as his side won 2-1.
Nico Williams was the player of the match. Lamine Yamal gets the Young Player of the Tournament award. Rodri receives the Player of the Tournament award.
The Golden Boot was shared by six players: Harry Kane (ENG), Dani Olmo (ESP), Georges Mikautadze (GEO), Cody Gakpo (NED), Ivan Schranz (SVK), and Jamal Musiala (GER).
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