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4 formulas in 40 years

Originally named the European nations Cup, the European championships is currently in its fourth stage of evolution since its inauguration 40 years ago.

1st formula

  • 1960 : 16 teams then quarter-finals. Final four-team phase held in France (USSR, Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, France). Winner: USSR.
  • 1964 : 16 teams then quarter-finals. Final four-team phase held in Spain (Spain, USSR, Hungary, Denmark). Winner: Spain.
2nd formula

  • 1968 : Eight groups of four teams. One team qualified from each group. Direct elimination as of quarter-finals. Four-team final phase held in Italy (Yugoslavia, USSR, England, Italy). Winner: Italy.
  • 1972 : Eight groups of four teams. One team qualified from each group. Direct elimination as of quarter-finals. Four-team final phase held in West Germany (Belgium, Hungary, USSR, West Germany). Winner: West Germany.
  • 1976 : Eight groups of four teams. One team qualified from each group. Direct elimination as of quarter-finals. Four-team final phase held in Yugoslavia (Czechoslovakia, Holland, West Germany, Yugoslavia). Winner: Czechoslovakia.
3rd formula

  • 1980 : Seven elimination groups. One team qualified from each group. Eight-team final phase held in Italy (organising country automatically qualified): Two groups of four teams, one from each group qualified for the final. Winner: West Germany.
  • 1984 : Seven elimination groups. One team qualified from each group. Eight-team final phase held in France (organising country automatically qualified): Two groups of four, Top two teams from each group qualified for semi-finals. Winner : France.
  • 1988 : Seven elimination groups. One team qualified from each group. Eight-team final phase held in West Germany (organising country automatically qualified): Two groups of four teams, Top two teams from each group qualified for the semi-finals. Winner : Holland.
  • 1992 : Seven elimination groups. One team qualified from each group. Eight-team final phase held in Sweden (organising country automatically qualified) : Two groups of four teams, Top two teams from each group qualified for the semi-finals. Winner : Denmark.
4th formula

  • 1996 : Eight elimination groups. One or two teams qualified from each group plus winner of play-offs. 16-team final phase held in England (organising country automatically qualified): Four groups of four teams, Top two teams advance to quarter-finals, knock-out format until final. Winner : Germany.
  • 2000: Nine elimination groups. Top team from each group qualified, as well as the best 2nd placed team and the four winners of the play-offs (remaining 2nd placed teams). 16-team final phase organised by 2 countries, Holland and Belgium, a first in the history of the competition (both countries automatically qualified): Four groups of four teams, Top two advance to quarter-finals, knock-out format until final. Winner : France.
  • 2004: Ten elimination groups: Top team from each group qualified directly. Ten second-placed teams disputed two-legged play-offs to determine the five other qualifiers. 16-team final phase organised by Portugal. Four groups of four teams, Top two teams advance to quarter-finals, knock-out format until final.