The UEFA European Football Championship, less formally the European Championship and informally the Euro, is the primary association football tournament organised by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). The competition is contested by UEFA members' senior men's national teams, determining the continental champion of Europe. It is the second-most watched football tournament in the world after the FIFA World Cup. The Euro 2012 final was watched by a global audience of around 300 million. The competition has been held every four years since 1960, except for 2020, when it was postponed until 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe, but kept the name Euro 2020. Scheduled to be in the even-numbered year between FIFA World Cup tournaments, it was originally called the European Nations' Cup before changing to its current name in 1968. Since 1996, the individual events have been branded as "UEFA Euro [year]".
Michael Ballack is a German former professional footballer. He is among the top goal scorers in the history of the Germany national team. Ballack wore the number 13 shirt for every team he has played for, except 1. FC Kaiserslautern. He was selected by Pelé as one of FIFA's 100 Greatest Living Players, and as the UEFA Club Midfielder of the Year in 2002. He won the German Footballer of the Year award three times – in 2002, 2003 and 2005. Known for his passing range, powerful shot, physical strength and commanding presence in midfield, he is regarded as one of the best midfielders in the world.
The 1980 UEFA European Football Championship finals tournament was held in Italy. This was the sixth UEFA European Championship, which is held every four years and endorsed by UEFA. It was the first European Championship to feature eight teams in the finals, which took place between 11 and 22 June 1980. West Germany won the final 2–1 against Belgium for their second title. This was the last European Championship with a third place play-off.
Christian Ziege is a German football manager and former player. He most recently coached FC Pinzgau.
Rainer Bonhof is a German former professional footballer, who played as a defensive midfielder or wing-back. He was known for his occasional bursts upfield and his fierce shot. He was a key player for the 1974 West Germany national team that won the World Cup. Bonhof was one of the stars for his club side, Borussia Mönchengladbach and won numerous domestic league and cup titles.
Timo Hildebrand is a German former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper.
Pierre Michael Littbarski is a German professional football manager and former player of 1. FC Köln and the West Germany national team. Known for his dribbling abilities, he was mainly used as an attacking midfielder or winger. Littbarski was a FIFA World Cup winner with West Germany in 1990, and the runner-up in both 1982 and 1986. Littbarski was the caretaker manager of VfL Wolfsburg after taking over from Steve McClaren from 7 February to 17 March 2011.
Samuel Osei Kuffour is a Ghanaian former professional footballer who played as a centre-back.
The Germany national under-21 football team represents the under-21s of Germany in the UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship and is controlled by the German Football Association (DFB), the governing body of football in Germany.
Dennis Aogo is a German former professional footballer who played as a left back and midfielder.
Horst Hrubesch is a German professional football manager and former player who manages the Germany women national team. As a player, Hrubesch won three West German championships with his club side, Hamburger SV, as well as the European Cup title in 1983. He was a key member of the West Germany team that made it to the final of the 1982 World Cup, losing to Italy. His nickname was Das Kopfball-Ungeheuer for his heading skills as a centre forward.
Joachim "Jogi" Löw is a German football coach and former player. He was the manager of the Germany national team from 2006 until 2021. During his tenure as manager, he led Germany to victory at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil and the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup in Russia. In March 2021, Löw announced that he would resign from his position after the delayed Euro 2020.
Manuel Friedrich is a German former professional footballer who played as a central defender.
Ulrich "Uli" Stielike is a German former footballer and manager. Usually a central midfielder or sweeper, Stielike was well known for his stamina and footballing intelligence. Stielike is one of a small handful of players to have played in all three European club finals, the FIFA World Cup Final and the UEFA European Championship Final.
Manfred Kaltz is a German former football player and manager, who played as a right-back.
Gonzalo Castro Randón is a German former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He is also a former Germany international.
Toni Kroos is a German professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for La Liga club Real Madrid. He plays mainly as a central midfielder, but has also been deployed as a deep-lying playmaker in his career. Considered to be one of the greatest midfielders of all time, he is known for his vision, passing, creativity, crossing and set-piece ability.
The Disgrace of Gijón was a 1982 FIFA World Cup football match played between West Germany and Austria at the El Molinón stadium in Gijón, Spain, on 25 June 1982. The match was the sixth and last game of the first-round Group 2, with the fifth game occurring on the previous day.
The 2016 Summer Olympic football gold medal match was a football match to determine the gold medal winners of men's football tournament at the 2016 Summer Olympics. The match was the 24th final of the men's football tournament at the Olympics, a quadrennial tournament contested by the men's national teams of the member associations of FIFA to decide the Olympic champions. The match was held at Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on 20 August 2016, and it was played between hosts Brazil and Germany.
