UEFA Women's Euros: The History of the Tournament

Current champions England lifting the title. Photo: Sky Sports

GET TO KNOW THE TOURNAMENT

The first tournament was in 1984 and only included four teams. In 1997 it expanded to eight teams. In 2009 it expanded to twelve teams. Then only in 2017 did it expand to what we know now to sixteen teams creating four groups of four in the group stage. 

The tournament occurs every four years and includes the best teams in Europe. This year the tournament is held in Switzerland and starts on Wednesday 2^nd of July. 

TOURNAMENT RECORDS

Germany holds the record for the most titles with eight only losing once in their nine finals reached. Only one other team have more than one title and that is Norway with two, showing there has been a clear German Dominance. This dominance is evident in other areas as they hold the record for most goals scored in a tournament with 28 in 2009. The record for the player with most appearances is from Germany with Brigit Prinz with 24. As well they hold the record for the youngest goal scorer with Lena Oberdorf at only 20. 

ALL TIME GOALSCORERS 

The most amount of goals scored across tournaments is currently ten but in a single tournament it is six. The table currently is as follows:

Germany: Inka Grings:10 

Germany: Brigit Prinz: 10 

England: Beth Mead: 6 (in a single tournament)

England: Ellen White: 6 

Netherlands: Vivianne Miedema: 6 

Sweden: Lotta Schelin: 6 

CLEAN SHEET RECORDS 

While talking about goal scorers it is also important to acknowledge those on the opposing side of the pitch. The most amount of clean sheets is currently held by German keeper Nadine Angerer who across the three tournament between 2001-2009 kept seven clean sheets. This is closely followed by Swedish goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl who kept six clean sheets across five tournaments. This is then followed by a single tournament record held by England’s Mary Earps who kept 4 clean sheets in 2022 which led to her winning the Golden Boot. 

PLAYER APPEARENCES 

The most tournaments attended by a single player is five and this is held by four players. These include:

Germany: Brigit Prinz: attended five tournaments between the years 1995 – 2009 

Norway: Solveig Gulbrandsen: attended five tournaments between the years 1997-2013

France: Sonia Bompastor: attended five tournaments between the years 2001-2017

England: Jill Scott: attended five tournaments between the years 2009-2022. 

ATTENDANCE RECORDS

The last Euros in 2022 broke many records with regards to attendance. The final between England and Germany is the most attended game in Euros history with an attendance of 87,192. 

That final is also the most watched Euros game with a viewer total of 17.4 million.