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 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 ten UEFA European Championship tournaments, with an ongoing eleventh appearance in 2024. 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.
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.
Poland have participated in five UEFA European Championships so far, all consecutively: Euro 2008, Euro 2012, Euro 2016, Euro 2020 and Euro 2024.
Portugal have participated in eight editions of the UEFA European Championship, with an ongoing 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 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 five UEFA European Championships so far, with an ongoing sixth appearance in 2024 and 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.
As of 2024, Hungary have appeared in five UEFA European Championships. At the 1964 European Nations' Cup, they finished third after winning their play-off against Denmark, and at Euro 1972 they placed fourth.
As of 2024, Switzerland have appeared at five UEFA European Championships, between 1996 and 2020, with an ongoing sixth appearance in 2024. They have advanced past the first round three times, 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. They again made it to the quarter-finals in 2024, after defeating defending champions Italy 2–0.
Group B of UEFA Euro 2016 contained England, Russia, Wales and Slovakia. Within this group, only Russia was a former European champion, having won as the Soviet Union in 1960. This was Wales' and Slovakia's first appearance at the European Championship. Matches were played from 11 to 20 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.
Wales 
England 
Slovakia 
Russia 
Republic of Ireland 
Portugal 
Northern Ireland 
Turkey 
Albania 
