By Sports Editor
- Germany
Germany’s Euro dominance stretched over a long period, having won the title in three different decades (1972, 1980, 1996). They’ve also been runners-up three times, and recorded the most matches won of any nation to have participated in the tournament (28).
No country has made more consecutive Euros than Germany, with 2024 being their 14th straight appearance in the tournament, however, they were knocked out in the Quate-finals by Spain
- Spain
The only nation to win the tournament in consecutive years (2008, 2012), Spain is tied for the most titles at the Euros; their first title came in 1964, in what was just the second edition of the tournament since its conception.
The 2008 and 2012 teams had some of the greatest players in Spanish history, such as the Barcelona midfield trio of Xavi, Andrés Iniesta and Sergio Busquets, along with legendary defenders like Gerard Piqué and Sergio Ramos. That core group of players also won the 2010 World Cup, behind a 116th-minute goal from Iniesta.
- Italy
The defending champions, Italy’s first title came in 1968 when the tournament was just four teams. In 2020, seven different players scored for them in the tournament when they faced England in a highly contested final that resulted in penalties.
Having won the World Cup four times (1934, 1938, 1982, 2006), Italy is one of three nations that has won both the Euros and World Cup multiple times (France, Germany).
- France
2018 World Cup winners, France are the last on this list to have won the Euros multiple times, doing so in 1984 and 2000. The 1984 squad set several records that stand today, such as the most goals scored in a single tournament (14) and the most goals scored by a player in a single tournament (Michel Platini- nine).
The 2000 title was headlined by the golden generation of France, including players such as Ballon d’Or winner Zinedine Zidane, Thierry Henry (Arsenal’s all-time leading goal-scorer), and Lillian Thurmas — arguably one of the best right-backs of all-time. Two years prior to winning the Euros, that same group won the 1998 World Cup.
- Portugal
After finishing as runners-up in the 2004 tournament, Portugal obtained their first title in the tournament 12 years later in 2016.
Cristiano Ronaldo spearheaded the title run adding a number of records to his name, which are: most career goals (14), most tournaments played (six, including 2024), most matches played (25), most appearances as captain (16) and most tournaments with at least one goal (five).
