European Football Championship

The European Football Championship (EFC) is a prestigious international tournament for national teams in Europe, organised every four years by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). The tournament has its roots in the late 1950s and has since developed into one of the world's biggest sporting events in terms of both spectator interest and commercial revenue. Originally called the European Football Cup for national teams and first played in 1958-1960, it was not until 1968 that the name European Football Championship was officially adopted.

Organisation and development of the tournament

The European Football Championship has undergone several changes in format and number of participating teams. Until 1980, the finals consisted of only four teams, but the number has gradually increased to the current 24 teams, which took place in 2016. These teams are divided into groups where they meet in group matches before the best teams advance to the knockout phase. The tournament is held two years later than the World Cup, which means that major international football events take place at regular intervals. The European Championship has also hosted several historic moments, such as Denmark's sensational victory in 1992 and Greece's unexpected triumph in 2004.

Significance and cultural influence

The European Football Championship is not only a sporting competition, but also a major cultural event that unites people across Europe. It is an occasion for national pride and togetherness, with millions of people watching the matches on TV and in stadiums. Interest in the tournament has grown steadily, and it generates significant financial revenue for UEFA through sponsorship and advertising. The 2016 European Championship final was watched by an estimated 600 million people worldwide, demonstrating the global impact of the tournament. Spain is the most successful team with four gold medals, while Germany has the most medals overall.