Held once every four years, the European Football Championship is one of the most prestigious tournaments in the world and is the third-most watched sporting event after the World Cup and Olympic Games.
France Football Federation’s Henri Deluanay was the man who first came up with the idea of a pan-European football tournament in 1927, but it was not until 1958 that his dream was realised. In honour of the man, the tournament trophy is named the Henri Deluanay Trophy.
A grand total of 17 countries participated in the first tournament which was held in France under the banner of the European Nations Cup.
The first final round saw the Soviet Union dominate proceedings with the first goal in qualifying on 28 September 1958 before going on to lift the trophy two years later at the Parc des Princes in Paris. 14 European nations have since gone on to host the Championships with Belgium, France and Italy the only countries to have staged it twice.
The tournament changed its name to European Football Championship, known as the ‘Euros’ by football enthusiasts, in 1968.
Germany hold the record for the most appearances in the final tournament with ten. They also hold the record for the most number of titles with three to their name, won in 1972, 1980 (both as West Germany) and 1996.
Euro 2012 will be the 14th edition of the tournament and will be held in Poland and Ukraine. 16 nations will be competing to become the champions of Europe come 8th June.
