Euros history: Essential moments, records and how to explore them

European Championship history is full of shocks, big names and game-changing tactics. From the first tournament in 1960 to Spain's dominance in 2008–2012 and Portugal's surprise win in 2016, the Euros give us stories that stick. Want the quick wins — classic finals, record holders and where to watch highlights? Keep reading.

Start with the milestones. The inaugural 1960 tournament set the stage for a continental competition that grew every four years. Some standouts: Michel Platini's nine goals in 1984 still look unreal; Cristiano Ronaldo sits on the all-time Euro scoring and appearance records; and teams like Germany and Spain have lifted the trophy three times each. Then there are the shocks that make the tournament special — Denmark's 1992 miracle and Greece beating Portugal in 2004 are two examples fans still talk about.

Top records and memorable finals

If you like stats, here are the quick facts to remember: Cristiano Ronaldo leads the tournament scoring charts, Michel Platini holds the single-tournament scoring mark, and Oliver Bierhoff scored the golden goal that decided Euro 1996. Other finals worth rewatching: Spain's 4-0 demolition of Italy in 2012, Portugal's 1-0 win over France in 2016 when Eder became a national hero, and the tense Denmark vs Germany final in 1992. These matches show how tactics and mentality can flip a game.

How to explore Euros history on this tag

This tag page groups articles, match recaps, player profiles and analysis focused on European Championship history. Use it to find long reads about classic matches, quick lists of must-watch clips, and tactical breakdowns that explain how football changed across decades. Click through to match reports if you want play-by-play, or look for opinion pieces to understand why a result mattered beyond the final score.

Want the best viewing strategy? Start with a landmark final — 2012 Spain vs Italy is great to see dominant possession play, 1992 Denmark shows how underdogs win with grit, and 2016 Portugal captures a team spirit win despite losing its captain early in the match. Pair a match clip with a short tactical note and you’ll spot the small details that decide tournaments.

If you care about stats, bookmark official UEFA pages and trusted video archives. If you prefer stories, look for player interviews and documentaries — they bring the human side of the Euros to life. Use the search box on this tag page to filter by year, team, or player. Got a memory to share or a game you'd like explained? Leave a comment on any article — community notes often point you to rare clips and fresh takes.

Want to dig deeper? Use filters to find tactical breakdowns, player timelines, and match timelines. Look for tags like 'classic final', 'underdog story', 'top scorers', and 'tactical shift'. We also group photo galleries and short video roundups. If you're researching for a debate or a school project, pick a single match, gather the timeline, watch highlights and read a tactical note. That combo makes the story clear fast. Subscribe to our newsletter to get new pieces from this tag as we publish them. Happy exploring.