The 1996 UEFA European Football Championship, commonly referred to as Euro '96, was the 10th UEFA European Football Championship, a quadrennial football tournament contested by European nations. It took place in England from 8 to 30 June 1996.
The tournament was the first European Championship to feature 16 finalists, following UEFA's decision to expand the tournament from eight teams. Games were staged across eight cities and, although not all games were sold out, Euro '96 recorded both the second highest aggregate attendance (1,276,000) in the championship's history, up to this point and the second average per game (41,158) for the revised 16-team format, after Euro 2012.
Germany won the tournament, beating the Czech Republic 2–1 with a golden goal during extra time; this marked the first major football competition to be decided using this method. This was Germany's first, and to date only, major title won while a unified nation.
Read more about 1996 UEFA European Football Championship: Bid Process, Qualification, Venues, Match Ball, Match Officials
Famous quotes containing the words european and/or football:
“God grant we may not have a European war thrust upon us, and for such a stupid reason too, no I don’t mean stupid, but to have to go to war on account of tiresome Servia beggars belief.”
—Mary (1867–1953)
“In this dream that dogs me I am part
Of a silent crowd walking under a wall,
Leaving a football match, perhaps, or a pit,
All moving the same way.”
—Philip Larkin (1922–1986)