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.
Russia have participated in twelve UEFA European Championships, the second-most among all participants of the Euro after Germany, equalled to Spain, five of which were as the Soviet Union and one of which was representing the CIS. As the Soviet Union, their best performance was becoming champions in the inaugural 1960 edition in France, while their best performance as Russia came in the 2008 tournament held in Austria and Switzerland, when they reached the semi-finals.
The UEFA European Championship is one of the major competitive international football tournaments, first played in 1960. The finals stage of the tournament takes place every four years, with a qualifying competition beforehand. The sixteenth tournament was held across Europe in 2021.
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 Netherlands national football team has appeared in eleven UEFA European Championship tournaments. They first participated in 1976, and won the title in 1988. With Belgium, the Netherlands co-hosted the 2000 tournament. The team did not enter the first tournament in 1960, and did not qualify in 1964, 1968, 1972, 1984 and 2016.
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.
The Denmark national football team have participated in ten UEFA European Championships, and won the tournament once. Their first tournament was the 1964 edition, in which they secured fourth place. In the final of UEFA Euro 1992 in Sweden, Denmark's 2–0 victory over Germany resulted in their first major tournament title.
Italy have participated in eleven 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.
Portugal have participated in nine editions of the UEFA European Championship. 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 the heavy 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 four UEFA European Championships, all consecutively: Euro 2012, Euro 2016, Euro 2020 and Euro 2024. 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 six UEFA European Championships so far, with an upcoming seventh appearance in 2032 as co-host; the first group stage 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.
As the Czech Republic along with Slovakia are considered to be the successor team of Czechoslovakia by FIFA and UEFA, they have participated in eleven UEFA European Championships; three as Czechoslovakia and eight as the Czech Republic. As Czechoslovakia, they became European champions in 1976. As the Czech Republic, they have qualified for every European Championship that they have played qualifiers for and were runners-up at Euro 1996.
Austria have appeared in four editions of the UEFA European Championship: 2008, 2016, 2020, and 2024.
Romania have appeared at six UEFA European Championships between 1984 and 2024. Their best performance so far was reaching the quarter-finals of Euro 2000, when they were eliminated by eventual tournament runners-up Italy.
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, with the sixteenth staging of the competition occurring in 2021.
As Slovakia along with the Czech Republic is considered to be the successor team of Czechoslovakia by FIFA and UEFA, they have qualified for a UEFA European Championship six times; three as Czechoslovakia and three as an independent nation since the dissolution of Czechoslovakia and its national team in 1993. As an independent nation, 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. As Czechoslovakia, they became European champions in 1976, with eight Slovaks in starting eleven. As Slovakia, their best finish was reaching the round of 16 at Euro 2016 and Euro 2024.
Albania have qualified twice for the UEFA European Championship — in 2016 and 2024. On both occasions, they directly qualified after securing a top two spot in their qualifying group. Euro 2016 was the side's first ever appearance at a major tournament finals. In both appearances so far, they failed to progress past the group stage. They also had an historical qualification attempt during the 1964 European Nations' Cup reaching their the round of 16 the reason being Albania got past the both leg's against Greece, for political reasons forfeited their two matches. In the Round of 16 Albania came on short against Denmark despite their second leg win At the end Albania ranked 9th in Europe.
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.
Croatia 
Germany 
Austria (H)
Poland 
