The European Championships is now only ten days away, and with domestic football done and dusted, attentions very much turn towards the big summer tournament.
In this article, we’re going to be looking at European Championship records, asking and answering questions such as are there any record holders set to take part at Euro 2024? Which records are at stake? Are there any players who could break Euro records this summer? Let’s get stuck in and find out.
Records at stake in Germany
There will be a few records on the line once things kick off in Germany, that’s for sure.
We’ll start with the obvious ones. Currently, only four teams have more than one European Championships victory, but only two nations have previously won the Euros more than twice, and those nations are Spain and Germany, both winning three previous renewals of this famous competition.
With both set to be in attendance at Euro 2024, there’s the potential for one to become the most successful European Championships nation of all time. Quite the title.
There are a few other team records on the line at this tournament, such as the one set by the Netherlands back at Euro 2000 which saw them record the biggest European Championships win by beating Yugoslavia 6-1. That record is up for grabs and technically, any of the 24 teams set to be involved could take it with a high-scoring win.
As the table below shows, the Netherlands hold the record for the most goals scored in a single game, also set against Yugoslavia 24 years ago. Again, any of the 24 teams due to play in Germany this summer could break that record, even if some are more likely than others.
Euro team record holders
See below a list of European Championship records, who holds them, along with any potential breakers set to take part in the upcoming tournament.
Record | Current Holder | Potential Breaker |
|---|---|---|
Most Euro wins | Spain (3), Germany (3) | A win for either Spain or Germany at Euro 2024 would see them become the most successful nation at the European Championships |
Biggest Euro win | Netherlands (winning 6-1 against Yugoslavia at Euro 2000) | 24 teams at Euro 2024 will have the chance to break this record. |
Most goals scored by a team (single game) | Netherlands (6) | 24 teams at Euro 2024 will have the chance to break this record. |
Most finals | Germany (6*) | N/A |
Most finals (21st century) | Italy (3) | Portugal, Spain and France could all equal this record. |
Most final defeats | Germany (3*) | Italy could equal this record. |
Most Euro penalty shootouts | Italy (7) | Both Spain (6) and England (5) could break this record at Euro 2024. |
*The Germans have reached six European Championships finals, three as West Germany and three as a reunified Germany.
*The Germans have lost in three Euro finals, once as West Germany and twice as a reunified Germany.
One particularly interesting angle is that tournament hosts Germany could become the most successful European Championships nation of all time with a win on home soil, while they could also become just the fourth ever host country to win this prize, joining France, Italy and Spain, all of whom have won once on their own patch.
Euro individual record holders
See below for a list of the record holders set to feature at Euro 2024.
Record | Holder |
|---|---|
Most Euro goals | Cristiano Ronaldo (14) |
Most Euro appearances (tournaments) | Cristiano Ronaldo (6, including 2024) |
Most Euro appearances (games) | Cristiano Ronaldo (25) |
Most goals (single tournament) | Michel Platini (9 at Euro 1984) |
Fastest goal | Dmitri Kirichenko (1 min, 7 seconds at Euro 2004) |
Youngest player | Kacper Kozłowski (Euro 2020) |
Oldest player | Gábor Király (Euro 2016) |
Youngest scorer | Johan Vonlanthen (18 years, 141 days at Euro 2004) |
Oldest scorer | Ivica Vastic (38 years, 257 days at Euro 2008) |
Cristiano Ronaldo is by far and away the record holder in terms of goals, tournaments played and match appearances, and none of that is likely to change here.
Ronaldo, who is now 39, could bag himself another Euro record by becoming the oldest ever scorer at the European Championships.
Ronaldo’s long-time International teammate Pepe likely only has to set foot on the pitch once in Germany and he’ll take the record for the oldest ever player to feature at this tournament, which is currently held by Hungary’s Gábor Király.
However, there is a chance that Pepe does fail to go down as the oldest player ever to play at the Euros, even if he does feature this time around.
Veteran Scottish keeper Craig Gordon could break the record well before Portugal kick off their campaign, assuming he is selected to start.
Gordon is no spring chicken and will be 41 years and 166 days when the Scots face Germany in the opening game of the tournament.
Which individual record holders will feature at Euro 2024?
Whilst there are a few team record holders featuring at Euro 2024, there will also be the odds player record holder involved too.
For example, Cristiano Ronaldo is the current all-time top scorer at the European Championships, with a rather impressive 14 goals to his name. The Portuguese veteran can add to his tally at Euro 2024, but another player overtaking him seems unlikely as the first in line to do so would be Antoine Griezmann, who currently has seven Euro goals.
Potential record breakers
In summary, there will be several potential record breakers in Germany this summer, with both the tournament hosts and Spain in with a chance of becoming the most winning nation of all time at European Championships.
Moreover, there are some other interesting records up for grabs, such as the biggest European Championships win, which was set by the Netherlands back in 2000 and has stood ever since. Can another team finally rob the Dutch of the record they’ve held for 24 years?
There’s plenty at stake, that’s for sure, making this prestigious tournament all the more intriguing.
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