In football, the euros are a major international tournament held every 4 years between European nations. The euros began in 1960 as the UEFA European Football Championship and have been held every 4 years since, with the exception of 2020 when they were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The question of who has won the most euros invites an analysis of the history of the tournament to determine which national teams have had the most success over the decades.
Quick Answer
Germany has won the most euros with 3 titles in 1972, 1980, and 1996. Spain has won 3 as well in 1964, 2008, and 2012. France has 2 euro titles and the Soviet Union has 1.
Germany’s Euro Wins
Germany tops the list with 3 euro titles. They won their first title at Euro 1972 which was held in Belgium. In the finals, Germany defeated the Soviet Union 3-0 to claim their first euro trophy. 8 years later at Euro 1980 held in Italy, Germany once again reached the finals where they faced Belgium. Germany won 2-1 to earn their second euro title. Germany had to wait 16 years for their next euro win which came at Euro 1996 held in England. In a dramatic final, Germany defeated Czech Republic 2-1 in extra time to win their third euros. No other team has managed to win 3 euro titles besides Germany.
Euro 1972
At Euro 1972 in Belgium, Germany made their first euro final after defeating hosts Belgium in the semifinal. Their opponents were the Soviet Union who had won the inaugural euros in 1960. A hard fought match saw Germany prevail 3-0 to win their first major international trophy since the 1954 World Cup.
Euro 1980
West Germany next won the euros in 1980 in Italy. They qualified for the final against Belgium who were hoping to win their first major tournament as hosts. Germany however dashed Belgian hopes by winning 2-1 with goals from Hrubesch and Rummenigge. Klaus Allofs scored Belgium’s only goal as Germany won their second euro trophy.
Euro 1996
16 years passed before Germany won the euros again which they managed at Euro 1996. It took place in England where Germany made the finals again. They met Czech Republic who were hoping to cause an upset. The Czechs took the lead through Patrik Berger but Germany equalized to send the game into extra time. A golden goal from Oliver Bierhoff gave Germany a 2-1 victory to make them 3 time euro winners.
Spain’s Euro Wins
Along with Germany, Spain has also won the euros three times. They won their first title at Euro 1964 on home soil by defeating the Soviet Union 2-1 in the final. 44 years passed before Spain lifted the trophy again which they did at Euro 2008 by beating Germany 1-0 in the final. Remarkably, Spain defended their title successfully at Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine by thrashing Italy 4-0 to become the first team to win back to back European Championships.
Euro 1964
Spain hosted the Euro 1964 tournament which had only 4 teams participating. As hosts, Spain directly qualified for the final where they faced the Soviet Union who had won the inaugural euros in 1960. A tight match was settled by a late goal from Marcelino as Spain won their first major international trophy with a 2-1 victory in front of their home fans.
Euro 2008
Several decades passed before Spain won their next euros. At Euro 2008 in Austria and Switzerland, Spain excelled by not conceding a single goal in the knockout rounds. They met Germany in the final and a first half strike from Fernando Torres gave Spain a 1-0 win and their second euro trophy.
Euro 2012
Remarkably, Spain successfully defended their euro title at Euro 2012 held in Poland and Ukraine. They dominated Italy in the final, scoring 4 goals through David Silva, Jordi Alba, Fernando Torres and Juan Mata to emphatically win their third euros with a 4-0 victory. No team has of yet won 3 consecutive euros.
France’s Euro Wins
France has won the euros twice in 1984 and 2000. At home in 1984, France beat Spain 2-0 in the final. In 2000, France again won the tournament on home soil, defeating Italy 2-1 in extra time. France has also lost 3 finals in 1960, 2016 and 2021 making them one of the most successful national teams never to have won the euros more than twice.
Euro 1984
Euro 1984 took place in France which gave them the home advantage. They qualified for the finals to face two-time winners Spain. First half goals from Platini and Bellone gave France a 2-0 win as they lifted their first major international trophy in front of their jubilant home fans.
Euro 2000
France had to wait 16 years to win their next euros which came at Euro 2000 which was co-hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands. France met Italy in the finals and the match ended 1-1 after extra time with goals from Delvecchio for Italy and Wiltord for France. The game went to penalties and France held their nerve to win the shootout 5-3 to win their second euro trophy.
Soviet Union’s Win
The Soviet Union won the first ever Euro Championship in 1960. As hosts, they defeated Yugoslavia 2-1 after extra time to win the inaugural tournament. This remains the only time the Soviet Union won the euros. They finished as runners up in 1964, 1972 and 1988. Since the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Russia has never won the euros but came close as runners up in 2008.
Euro 1960
In 1960, the Soviet Union hosted the first ever UEFA European Football Championship, which had just 4 teams participating. After finishing top of their group, the Soviet Union qualified for the finals where they faced Yugoslavia. After a 1-1 draw, Viktor Ponedelnik scored in extra time to give the Soviet Union a 2-1 win and the first ever euro trophy.
Conclusion
In summary, Germany and Spain lead with 3 euro wins each. Germany won in 1972, 1980 and 1996 while Spain won three straight tournaments in 1964, 2008 and 2012. France has won the euros twice in 1984 and 2000. The Soviet Union won the inaugural edition in 1960. Other countries have come close like Portugal, the Netherlands and the Czech Republic but no team has managed to win more than 3 European Championship titles.
| Country | Number of Euro Wins | Winning Years |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | 3 | 1972, 1980, 1996 |
| Spain | 3 | 1964, 2008, 2012 |
| France | 2 | 1984, 2000 |
| Soviet Union | 1 | 1960 |
