The 2016 UEFA European Football Championship, commonly referred to as UEFA Euro 2016 or simply Euro 2016, was the 15th UEFA European Championship, the quadrennial international men's football championship of Europe organised by UEFA. It was held in France from 10 June to 10 July 2016. Spain were the two-time defending champions, having won the 2008 and 2012 tournaments, but were eliminated in the round of 16 by Italy. Portugal won the tournament for the first time, following a 1–0 victory after extra time over the host team, France, in the final played at the Stade de France.
The UEFA European Championship is the main football competition of the men's national football teams governed by UEFA. Held every four years since 1960, in the even-numbered year between World Cup tournaments, it was originally called the UEFA European Nations Cup, changing to the current name in 1968. Starting with the 1996 tournament, specific championships are often referred to in the form "Euro 2008" or whichever year is appropriate. Prior to entering the tournament all teams other than the host nations compete in a qualifying process.
The UEFA European Championship is the main football competition of the men's national football teams governed by UEFA. Held every four years since 1960, in the even-numbered year between World Cup tournaments, it was originally called the UEFA European Nations Cup, changing to the current name in 1968. Starting with the 1996 tournament, specific championships are often referred to in the form "Euro 2008" or whichever year is appropriate. Prior to entering the tournament, all teams other than the host nations compete in a qualifying process.
The UEFA European Championship is one of the major competitive international football tournaments, first played in 1960, whose finals stage has been held every four years.
The UEFA European Championship is the main football competition of the men's national football teams governed by UEFA. Held every four years since 1960, in the even-numbered year between FIFA World Cup tournaments, it was originally called the UEFA European Nations' Cup, changing to the current name in 1968.
The UEFA European Championship is the main football competition of the men's national teams governed by UEFA. Held every four years since 1960, in the even-numbered year between World Cup tournaments, it was originally called the UEFA European Nations' Cup, changing to the current name in 1968. Starting with the 1996 tournament, specific championships are often referred to in the form "UEFA Euro (year)”. Prior to entering the tournament, all teams other than the host nations compete in a qualifying process.
Italy have participated in ten UEFA European Championships, and reached the final on four occasions. They became champions as hosts in 1968, the first European Championship they qualified for, and finished as runners-up in 2000 and 2012, before winning their second continental championship at Euro 2020.
Poland have participated in four UEFA European Championships so far, all consecutively: Euro 2008, Euro 2012, Euro 2016 and Euro 2020.
Portugal have participated in eight editions of the UEFA European Championship, with an upcoming ninth appearance in 2024. Their first tournament was in 1984, and the side have advanced past the group stage in every edition they've participated in so far. Portugal have reached the semi-finals on five occasions, and reached the final as hosts in 2004, however losing to tournament underdogs Greece. They captured their first major tournament win after defeating hosts France 1–0 in the final of Euro 2016.
Ukraine have appeared in only three UEFA European Championships – Euro 2012, Euro 2016, and Euro 2020. Before 1996, some of its players played for the Soviet Union national team and CIS national team – Oleksiy Mykhailychenko, Hennadiy Lytovchenko, Oleh Luzhnyi, Ivan Hetsko and others.
Turkey have participated at five UEFA European Championships so far, with an upcoming sixth appearance in 2024; the first finals they qualified for was Euro 1996. Their best European performance to date was reaching the semi-finals in 2008, after winning their quarter-final match against Croatia on penalties.
Romania have appeared at five UEFA European Championships between 1984 and 2016, with an upcoming sixth appearance in 2024. Their best performance so far was reaching the quarter-finals of Euro 2000, when they were eliminated by eventual tournament runners-up Italy.
As of 2023, Switzerland have appeared at five UEFA European Championships, between 1996 and 2020, with an upcoming sixth appearance in 2024. They have advanced past the first round twice, reaching the last 16 in 2016 and the quarter-finals in 2020 for the first time, before being eliminated by Spain on penalties following a 1–1 draw after extra time.
Slovakia has qualified three times as an independent nation for a UEFA European Championship since the dissolution of Czechoslovakia and its national team in 1993, the first time being the 2016 edition, and again in the following Euro 2020 and Euro 2024 tournaments. They directly qualified in 2016 after finishing second in their qualifying group. For the draw of the end stage that took place on 12 December 2015, they were seeded in Pot 3.
Group E of UEFA Euro 2016 contained Belgium, Italy, Republic of Ireland and Sweden. Italy was the only former European champion in this group, having won in 1968. Matches were played from 13 to 22 June 2016.
Group C of UEFA Euro 2016 contained Germany, Ukraine, Poland and Northern Ireland. Germany was the only former European champion in this group, having won the championship three times. Matches were played from 12 to 21 June 2016.
Group D of UEFA Euro 2016 contained defending European champion Spain, Czech Republic, Turkey and Croatia. This Euro 2016 group was the only with two former European champions – Spain and Czech Republic. Matches were played from 12 to 21 June 2016.
The 2016–17 UEFA Champions League group stage began on 13 September and ended on 7 December 2016. A total of 32 teams competed in the group stage to decide the 16 places in the knockout phase of the 2016–17 UEFA Champions League.
The 2018–19 UEFA Champions League group stage began on 18 September and ended on 12 December 2018. A total of 32 teams competed in the group stage to decide the 16 places in the knockout phase of the 2018–19 UEFA Champions League.
The 2019–20 UEFA Champions League group stage began on 17 September 2019 and ended on 11 December 2019. A total of 32 teams competed in the group stage to decide the 16 places in the knockout phase of the 2019–20 UEFA Champions League.
Germany 
Poland 
Northern Ireland 
Ukraine 
Slovakia 
Republic of Ireland 
Portugal 
Turkey 
Albania 
