The Eurocup is one of the most prestigious and exciting soccer tournaments in the world, bringing together the best teams in Europe and the biggest soccer stars. That’s why, as the tournament approaches, it’s common to find people looking to find out all about the Eurocup.
If you’re one of those people who wants to get to know the competition and follow it, you’ve come to the right guide. We’ve put together all about the Eurocup, from its history to the groups for the competition in 2024;
We also highlight the greatest champions of the tournament to date and list the rules, so you don’t miss a beat;
Do you like it? Then read on to find out all about the Eurocup.
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What is the history of the Eurocup?
The Eurocup, officially known as the UEFA Eurocup Football Championship, had its first edition in 1960. The idea of a European team tournament was first proposed by the general secretary of the French Football Federation, Henri Delaunay, in 1927.
However, the competition only became a reality after the creator’s death;
As a posthumous tribute, the tournament trophy bears his name: Henri Delaunay.
The first edition was hosted by France and featured just four teams: the Soviet Union, Yugoslavia, France and Czechoslovakia.
The Soviet Union became champions by beating Yugoslavia in the final. Since then, the European Championship has grown significantly in size and prestige, including 24 teams as of 2016.
Which teams will play in the UEFA European Championship 2024
The European Championship is contested by the national teams that are members of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). Currently, 55 teams compete in the qualifying rounds to secure a place in the final tournament, which features 24 teams.
In the 2024 tournament, the teams competing for the continental cup are:
- Germany
- Scotland
- Hungary
- Switzerland
- Albania
- Croatia
- Spain
- Italy
- Denmark
- Slovenia
- England
- Serbia
- France
- The Netherlands
- Poland
- Austria
- Belgium
- Slovakia
- Romania
- Ukraine
- Georgia
- Portugal
- Czech Republic
- Turkey
Also read: How to bet on soccer at Betano: tips, competitions, odds and more
How does the Eurocup work?
The European Championship begins with a group stage, where the teams are divided into six groups of four teams. Each team plays against the others in the group, and the top two from each group, along with the four best third-placed teams, advance to the round of 16. From there, the tournament follows a direct elimination format until the final.
How often does the European Championship take place?
The European Championship is held every four years, interspersed with the FIFA World Cup, ensuring that there is a major international tournament every two years.
What are the rules of the European Championship?
The rules of the Eurocup follow the regulations of football, with some specificities for the tournament:
- Group stage followed by knockout stages, with round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals and final).
- Duration of matches: Each match has two 45-minute halves, with extra time (two 15-minute halves) and a penalty shootout in the knockout stages in the event of a draw.
- Play-off criteria in the Group Stage: Points won, head-to-head, goal difference, goals scored, and, if necessary, fair play (yellow and red cards) and a draw.
- Call-ups: Each team can call up to 26 players, including three goalkeepers.
The Eurocup 2024 will be held in Germany between June 14 and July 14, 2024 and will feature 24 national teams;
So that you can learn all about the Eurocup, we’ve broken down the rules of the competition. Read on and clear up your doubts.
Group stage
- The 24 teams are divided into six groups of four.
- Each team plays against the other three teams in their group.
- The two best-placed teams in each group advance to the round of 16.
- In the event of a draw in the group stage, the play-off criteria will be, in this order:
- More points in the head-to-head between the tied teams.
- Goal difference in head-to-head matches between the tied teams.Number of goals scored in head-to-head matches between the tied teams.Goals scored away from home in head-to-head matches between the tied teams.Goal difference in all group games.Number of goals scored in all group matches.Position in the UEFA ranking before the start of the group stage.Draw.
- Número de gols marcados nos confrontos diretos entre as equipes empatadas.
- Gols marcados fora de casa nos confrontos diretos entre as equipes empatadas.
- Saldo de gols em todos os jogos da fase de grupos.
- Número de gols marcados em todos os jogos da fase de grupos.
- Posição no ranking da UEFA antes do início da fase de grupos.
- Sorteio.
Knockout stage
- The knockout phase begins with the round of 16, followed by the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final.
- Todas as partidas da fase eliminatória são mata-mata, o que significa que a equipe que perder é eliminada do torneio.
- Se uma partida terminar empatada após o tempo normal, haverá uma prorrogação de 30 minutos. Se a partida ainda estiver empatada após a prorrogação, a decisão será por pênaltis.
Other rules
- Each team can call up to 26 players for the tournament, but only 23 can be registered for each match.Five substitutions are allowed during three stoppages. An extra substitution can be made in the event of extra time.The use of VAR (video referee) will be used in all matches in the tournament.
- São permitidas 5 substituições de atletas, durante três paradas. Uma substituição extra pode ser realizada em caso de prorrogação.
- O uso de VAR (arbitro de vídeo) será utilizado em todas as partidas do torneio.
Also read: All about the Copa América: history, rules and groups [Updated 2024]
All about the Eurocup 2024
Having understood how the Eurocup works and what the rules are, we move on to present more details about the 2024 edition, which will be held from June 14 to July 14;
Where will the UEFA European Championship 2024 be held?
The Eurocup 2024 will be held in Germany. This will be the second time the country has hosted the tournament, the first being in 1988, when it was still West Germany.
Which venues will host the UEFA European Championship 2024?
The Eurocup 2024 will be held in several cities in Germany. The confirmed host cities are:
- Berlim
- Munique
- Dortmund
- Gelsenkirchen
- Stuttgart
- Hamburgo
- Leipzig
- Colônia
- Düsseldorf
- Frankfurt
The first match will take place between Germany and Scotland, in group A, in Munich. The final is scheduled for July 14 in Berlin, the capital of the host country;
What are the groups for the UEFA Eurocup 2024?
The groups for the UEFA European Championship 2024 are:
- Group A: Germany, Scotland, Hungary and SwitzerlandGroup B: Spain, Croatia, Italy and AlbaniaGroup C: Slovenia, Denmark, Serbia and EnglandGroup D: Poland, Netherlands, Austria and FranceGroup E: Belgium, Slovakia, Romania and UkraineGroup F: Turkey, Georgia, Portugal and Czech Republic
- Grupo B: Espanha, Croácia, Itália e Albânia
- Grupo C: Eslovênia, Dinamarca, Sérvia e Inglaterra
- Grupo D: Polônia, Holanda, Áustria e França
- Grupo E: Bélgica, Eslováquia, Romênia e Ucrânia
- Grupo F: Turquia, Geórgia, Portugal e República Checa
As in previous years, the groups for the first phase are determined by a draw, which took place in March;
Curiosities about the European Championship
Who are the greatest Eurocup champions?
The top five winners of the European Championship are:
- Alemanha: 3 títulos (1972, 1980, 1996)
- Espanha: 3 títulos (1964, 2008, 2012)
- Itália: 2 títulos (1968 e 2020)
- França: 2 títulos (1984, 2000)
In fact, the reigning champions are Italy, who won the 2020 tournament.
The other champions have only won one edition of the games and to make this guide to the European Championship complete, we’ve listed all the winners of the tournament since 1960:
- 1960 – União Soviética
- 1964 – Espanha
- 1968 – Itália
- 1972 – Alemanha Ocidental
- 1976 – Tchecoslováquia
- 1980 – Alemanha Ocidental
- 1984 – França
- 1988 – Holanda
- 1992 – Dinamarca
- 1996 – Alemanha
- 2000 – França
- 2004 – Grécia
- 2008 – Espanha
- 2012 – Espanha
- 2016 – Portugal
- 2020 – Itália
Who are the top scorers in the European Championship?
Among the players, the top scorers in the European Championship to date are:
- Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal): 17 gols
- Michel Platini (França): 9 gols
- Alan Shearer (Inglaterra): 7 gols
- Antoine Griezmann (França): 7 gols
- Ruud Van Nistelrooy (Holanda): 6 gols
- Patrick Kluivert (Holanda): 6 gols
- Wayne Rooney (Inglaterra): 6 gols
- Romelu Lukaku (Bélgica): 6 gols
- Álvaro Morata (Espanha): 6 gols
- Thierry Henry (França): 6 gols
- Zlatan Ibrahimović (Suécia): 6 gols
- Nuno Gomes (Portugal): 6 gols
And for 2024, what are your bets for top scorers and the winning team? Will anyone be able to overtake Cristiano Ronaldo or will he consolidate his position at the top?
Now that you know all about the Eurocup, it’s time to follow the games and enjoy the most exciting matches of the season!
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