Euro 2020 – Here are some fun facts

The European Football Championship starts today! This year, rather than being hosted in one country, the tournament will be staged in 11 cities across 11 different countries from the 11^th June to the 11^th July, featuring 51 matches across 31 days of competition.

Here are some interesting facts:

• The official song ‘We Are The People’ is performed by Martin Garrix featuring Bono and The Edge from U2.
• The first European Championship tournament was staged back in 1960, with the Soviet Union claiming the trophy after a narrow 2 – 1 victory over Yugoslavia in the final.
• Germany and Spain hold the record for the highest number of European Championship wins with three apiece, while France have lifted the trophy on two occasions.
• Cristiano Ronaldo holds the record for most games (21) and is the joint highest scorer alongside Michel Platini with nine
• Portugal became the first team to win the tournament despite not winning a single game in the group stage in 2016.
• Spain are the only team to retain the trophy – 2008 and 2012 – and they are one of the most fancied teams in the betting odds.
• England and Wales have never progressed further than the semi-finals, while Scotland and Northern Ireland have never reached the knockout stage.
• Didier Deschamps (France) and Ronald Koeman (Netherlands) are the only managers at Euro 2020 to have won the tournament as players.
• Diversity and inclusivity are the inspiration for the official match ball for the tournament.