History Of UEFA European Football Championship

           History Of UEFA European Football Championship

First played in 1960 under the name of the UEFA European Nations Cup, the thought of this popular European league was first suggested by Henri Delaunay in 1927 who was a member of the French Football Federation. Finally, in 1960, his dream became reality and thus the tournament was held in France. In his honor, the tournament trophy was named Henri Delaunay Trophy. 17 teams participated out of which three teams didn't play- West Germany, England, and Italy. Among the 14 remaining teams, USSR made its way into the last word and won the first tournament trophy by outsmarting Yugoslavia by 2-1.

After that, the name of this tournament was changed to European Football Championship in 1968 than since 1992, this tournament became popular as Euro. Held once every four years; statistical reports show that this is often the third hottest sports tournament within the planet after the Olympic Games and World Cup. So far, 13 tournaments had been played and this Euro 2012 is that the 14th session. Germany is that the foremost successful team during this tournament who had been within the ultimate sixfold and won the championship title 3 times.

In 1964, Spain was the host of the tournament with 29 teams participating within the tournament. The host succeeded in bagging the championship title by defeating the last time champion USSR by 2-1.

In 1968, the tournament name was reframed but the format remained the same with two new teams. Held in Italy, the championship title also visited the host country once they defeated Yugoslavia during a replay match by 2-0. the foremost notable incident therein year was a coin toss to form a choice a semi-final match. This coin toss was the first and thus the sole time incident in Euro history.

Belgium was the host in 1972 when West Germany (now Germany) won the last word beating the Soviet Union by 3-0.

1976 tournament was held in Yugoslavia which was the last word year to put an end for two things- the host team had to be within the ultimate and 4 teams qualifying within the ultimate. That year is additionally notable for the newly introduced penalty shootout. Czechoslovakia won the last word.

The next tournament in 1980 was organized during a replacement format in Italy. The concept of the group came up and eight teams participated with winners of each group getting into the play-offs then to the last word. West Germany won another time and this was their second championship title.

In 1984, the concept of semi-final also emerged which gave totally a replacement format to this tournament. France won the tournament by smashing Spain in 2-0. Michel Platini was then the Captain of France who was a strong player of the tournament. He scored 9 goals in 5 matches.

The two times champion, West Germany hosted the 1988 tournament where the Netherlands defeated the host to win the championship title. This year remains considered as a superb year in football history because Marco van Basten made a spectacular goal over the goalkeeper straight from the right-wing.

Then in Sweden in 1992 when the European Football Championship became Euro 1992 for the first time! Denmark won the league by defeating unified Germany by 2-0. Yugoslavia wasn't allowed to participate in the tournament that year as they were during a state of war.

16 teams participated in UEFA Euro 1996which was organized in England. Germany ousted the newly-formed state Czech Republic by 2-1 and bagged another championship trophy for the third time. apart from unified Germany, this was the first time.

Belgium and the Netherlands were the hosts for Euro 2000 when France was the emperor of football. needless to mention by the entire world, France once more succeeded in retaining their position as champion once they defeated Italy by 2-1.

The championship trophy of UEFA Euro 2004, held in Portugal, was won by Greece who defeated the host team by 1-0 within the ultimate.

Switzerland and Austria, again two countries hosted UEFA Euro 2008 where Spain defeated Germany by 1-0 within the ultimate to become the champion.

Finally 2012! This year Ukraine and Poland will host the tournament where 16 teams are participating from four groups, each group having four teams. Czech Republic, Greece, Poland, and Russia are from A, Denmark, Germany, Portugal, and Holland are from B, Croatia, Spain, Italy, and Ireland are from Group C, and England, France, Sweden, and Ukraine are from Group D. This exciting tournament will start on June 8, 2012, and may continue till Dominion Day, 2012.

Kapila Bhatia is an enthusiastic blogger and contributes regularly to Bhavesh Bhatia's blog. Visit the blog for the most recent international sports news and updates.