UEFA European Championship (Euro) - European Championship
The UEFA European Championship (Euro), often referred to as Euro, is currently the second most exciting national team tournament in the world after the World Cup. Originating from the idea of Henri Delaunay in 1960, it has undergone six major format changes to finally stop at 24 teams since 2016. Not only to find the king of Europe but also where the top football schools on the planet collide directly. Let's join 78WIN Learn about this tournament through the article below.
Changes to the format of the UEFA European Championship (Euro)
Before delving into the current process, it is worth looking back at the expansion and development that has shaped the Euros as they are today. This will help to understand how the tournament is organized and its importance in European football.
Early stages and 16 teams (1960–2012)
The first four editions of the UEFA European Championship (Euro) featured just four finalists, making for a compact but intense tournament. The small number of teams made each match important and exciting. However, fans and European federations quickly saw the potential for expansion.
From Euro 1980 to 1992, the finals were expanded to 8 teams, providing more matches and a more competitive environment. Then, from Euro 1996 to 2012, the tournament stabilized at 16 teams with 4 groups, creating the basis for a more professional tournament structure. This change also gave teams more diverse and attractive opportunities to compete. Join and access 78win.com to be able to follow the top matches of this tournament.
Historic step up to 24 teams from Euro 2016
At the UEFA European Championship (Euro) 2016 held in France, the tournament applied a 24-team format for the first time, a significant expansion compared to previous editions. The increase in the number of participating teams brought more matches and opportunities for smaller countries to compete. This change also made the tournament more exciting and attractive to fans.
The 24-team format will be retained for future editions, including Euro 2024 in Germany and Euro 2028, scheduled for the UK and Ireland. This system will allow teams to have more chances to qualify for the finals, further cementing the tournament's status as one of the biggest football events on the planet.
UEFA European Championship (Euro) competition format
Now that we have the historical context, it's time to take a closer look at how the 24 best teams in Europe compete in the current UEFA European Championship.
Euro group stage: a playground of tactics and surprises
UEFA EuropeanChampionship (Euro)The 24 teams are divided into six groups (A–F), each containing four teams, and play a round-robin format. The rankings are determined by points, goal difference, total goals scored, head-to-head, fair play, and then the UEFA coefficient. This system ensures fairness and transparency in determining group rankings.
The 1/8 round includes 6 group winners, 6 group runners-up and 4 third-placed teams with the best records from the 6 groups. The “4 third-placed teams” rule has turned the final round of the group stage into a tense and surprising calculation. This creates a special attraction, making each match can decide the fate of the teams.
UEFA European Championship (Euro)find the champion
To visualize the path from the round of 16 to the UEFA European Championship title, it is necessary to understand the knockout format. The round of 16 consists of 8 matches in a fixed bracket before the group stage draw, combining the first, second and four best third-placed teams. The quarter-finals consist of 4 matches, avoiding early rematches between groups, while the semi-finals determine the two finalists.
In the knockout stage, if the match is tied after 90 minutes, it goes to two 15-minute extra periods; if it is still tied, it is decided by a traditional penalty shootout. Each team is allowed a maximum of five substitutions, plus one if there is extra time, and there has been no third-place play-off since 1984. The champions are forced to play at least six matches (possibly seven if they start from third place in the group), all within 31 days, creating enormous physical and tactical pressure.
Conclude
With 51 matches in a month, the modern UEFA European Championship (Euro) balances the vast scale and fierceness of top-flight football. The 24-team format and the 4-third-place rule make the group stage extremely dramatic, while the knockout stage retains its traditional harshness. Therefore, although the World Cup is still number 1, the Euro is still considered the most attractive national tournament in terms of expertise and emotion.
