Home Comforts

Portugal stage a major tournament for the first time and hope to become only the fourth team to win the European Championship on home soil.

France were the last side to claim the title as host nation back in 1984, while home teams have won just three out of 11 tournaments, the host nation has traditionally performed strongly in the competition.

The host country has reached the semi-final of the competition on each occasion, apart from 2000, where co-hosts Belgium were eliminated in the opening stage.

Year--Hosts--------------Winner---Hosts' finish
2000--Holland & Belgium--France---Holland semi, Belgium group stage
1996--England------------Germany--Semi-final
1992--Sweden-------------Denmark--Semi-final
1988--Germany------------Holland--Semi-final
1984--France-------------France---Winners
1980--Italy--------------Germany--Semi-final
1976--Yugoslavia---------Czech----Semi-final
1972--Belgium------------Germany--Semi-final
1968--Italy--------------Italy----Winners
1964--Spain--------------Spain----Winners
1960--France-------------USSR-----Semi-final


Performances of the host nations in Europe are less impressive than that of the host countries in World Cup tournaments.

Six sides have won the World Cup when hosting the competition compared to just the three successful hosts in Europe.