In this post, we take a look at the top five most successful countries in the history of the Euro Championship ahead of what will be a thrilling tournament this summer,

Euro 2024 Odds

Who have won the most European Championships?                     

Germany - 3 Victories + 3 Runners-Up Finishes

The joint most successful country in Euro Championship history is coincidentally also the hosts of the 2024 Euro’s Germany. Their first success in the competition came in 1972 when “West Germany” defeated the Soviet Union 3-0. Their second success again came under the “West Germany” banner when they defeated Belgium 1-2 at Euro 1980. Their third and most recent success came under the reunified “Germany” when they defeated the Czech Republic 1-2.

Aside from their tournament victories, they have also been runner-up on three occasions in 1976 as West Germany following a 2-2 AET draw they lost to the Czech Republic 5-3 on penalties in 1992 they lost 2-0 to Denmark as Germany and were most recently beaten by Spain 0-1 at Euro 2008.

Germany are hotly fancied to go close again at Euro 2024 with odds of 11/2 suggesting a 7.7% chance they go outright clear on the Euro Championship table.

Spain - 3 Victories + 1 Runners-Up Finish

The other joint most successful country in Euro Championship history is another that will have another chance at glory at Euro 2024, Spain. Their first victory came at Euro 1954 where they had a 2-1 victory over the Soviet Union. It would be a 44-year-long wait before their second success at Euro 2008 beating Germany 0-1, but their third followed in quick succession when at Euro 2012 they were dominant 4-0 winners over Italy.

Aside from their tournament successes they have finished as runner-up on one occasion coming in 1984  when they lost 2-0 against France in Paris. Spain can also go clear for most Euro Championship successes with a win in the summer.

Italy - 2 Victories + 2 Runners-Up Finishes

Reigning Euro 2020 Champions Italy are the third most successful country in the tournament’s history with two successes. The first Italian side to win a Euro tournament was at Euro 1968 when they initially drew 1-1 with Yugoslavia after extra-time, the game remarkably went to a replay where they ran out 2-0 winners on Italian soil. Their second success came at the most recent iteration of the tournament at Euro 2020 where they won on penalties 3-2 against England following a 1-1 after extra-time draw.

Aside from their tournament successes they have finished as runner-up twice first in 2000 when they lost to France 2-1 after extra time, and the second was at Euro 2012 when they lost 4-0 against Spain. Italy can go level with Germany and Spain for Euro successes if they can win Euro 2024.

Italy are priced at 16/1 which gives them a 5.3% chance of retaining the tournament.

France - 2 Victories + 1 Runner-Up Finish

France are the fourth most successful country in Euro Championship history. Their first victory came at Euro 1984 on home soil following a 2-0 victory against Spain and their second came with a 2-1 golden goal victory over Italy at Euro 2000.

The French have finished runner-up at the Euro Championships on one occasion coming at Euro 2016 when they were defeated 1-0 by Portugal after extra-time. France can go ahead of Italy for success and level with Germany and Spain if they can claim victory at Euro 2024.

France are well fancied for a positive tournament with odds of 7/2 putting them second favourites and suggesting a 15.4% chance of victory.

Russia - 1 Victory + 3 Runner-Up Finishes

Russia will not participate at Euro 2024 having been banned from qualifying due to complications with the ongoing geopolitical conflict. However, they remain the fourth most successful country following their Euro 1960 success when the “Soviet Union” defeated Yugoslavia 2-1 after extra time.

They have finished runner-up on three occasions, first in 1964 when they lost 2-1 (as the Soviet Union) against Spain second (as the Soviet Union) at Euro 1972 when they lost 3-0 against West Germany and most recently in 1988 (again as the Soviet Union) when they lost 0-2 against Netherlands.

Others

The next countries who have been successful at the tournament are the Czech Republic (won in 1976 runner-up in 1996) and Portugal (won in 2016 runner-up in 2004).

Netherlands (1988), Denmark (1992) and Greece (2004) have won in their only Euro Championship final appearances.

Serbia have been the bridesmaids at the tournament the most times without success coming runner-up in (1960) and (1968), while Belgium (1980) and England (2020) both lost their sole Euro Championship finals.

*Prices are subject to fluctuation.

E/W 1/4, 1,2,3,4