As the Euro 2024 tournament kicks off in Germany, media takes a look at the competition’s eventful 64-year history.
The European Football Championship, informally known as ‘The Euros,’ is UEFA’s flagship competition for its member nations.
The event boasts a rich history and has been a worldwide sporting attraction for decades.
Though the tournament first took place in 1960, the idea behind it was formed years before.
UEFA’s first general secretary, Henri Delaunay, proposed the idea of a European national team competition in the 1920s.
Delauney’s dream became a reality when the first edition of the Euros was held in 1960 in France, but the Frenchman did not live to witness the achievement, having died in 1955.
In recognition of Delaunay’s role in the formation of the new competition, the trophy – provided by the French Football Federation – was named after him.
The inaugural Euros, a four-team competition, ended with the Soviet Union emerging as winners after beating Yugoslavia 2-1 in extra time in the final in Paris.
Spain hosted the next edition in 1964 and won the title by beating the holders Soviet Union 2-1 in Madrid.
The 1968 tournament was won by hosts Italy, but their route to the final was packed with drama.
The Italians reached the Euro 1968 final after a “coin-toss” victory over the Soviet Union in the semifinals – the only competitive European international to have been decided in such a manner. The coin toss was done after the teams played out a goalless draw in the semifinals.
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