The2020 UEFA European Football Championship, commonly referred to asUEFA Euro 2020 or simplyEuro 2020, was the 16thUEFA European Championship, thequadrennial international men'sfootball championship of Europe organised by theUnion of European Football Associations (UEFA).[1] To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the European Championship competition, UEFA presidentMichel Platini declared that the tournament would be hosted in several nations as a "romantic" one-off event, with 11 cities in 11 UEFA countries each providing venues for the tournament, making it the second senior international tournament in history after the2007 AFC Asian Cup to have more than two nations co-hosting it.[2]
Portugal were the defending champions, but were eliminated in the round of 16 byBelgium.[3]Italy won their second European Championship title by beatingEngland on penalties inthe final following a 1–1 draw after extra time.[4] The win came exactly on the 39th anniversary of Italy's1982 FIFA World Cup final victory over West Germany.[5]
The tournament was originally intended to be played between 12 June and 12 July 2020.[6] Due toCOVID-19 restrictions during that year, the tournament was postponed to June and July 2021, while retaining the nameUEFA Euro 2020 and host venues. Alongside special rules regarding COVID-19 restrictions, UEFA also allowed two extra substitutions[7] and implementedvideo assistant referee (VAR) for the first time.[8] Initially, there were 13 venues chosen for the tournament but two were later dropped.Brussels was dropped in December 2017 after the city'sEurostadium was abandoned,[9] whileDublin was dropped in April 2021 because there was no guarantee that spectators could attend. Spain originally intended to useBilbao as a host venue but later changed it toSeville to allow for spectators at matches.[10] UEFA choseStadio Olimpico inRome to host the opening match between Italy andTurkey, whileWembley Stadium inLondon was selected as a semi-final and final venue for the second time,[11] following the1996 tournament at theoriginal stadium of the same name.
The tournament was well received by fans and commentators, with the most goals per game in aEuropean Championship since the introduction of the group stage, and only two goalless games. The refereeing style was also praised, with a conservative use ofVAR and quick decisions made on the pitch.
While some countries such as Belgium,[12] Bulgaria and Romania,[13] Germany,[14][15] Hungary and Romania,[16] Ireland, Scotland, and Wales,[17] the Netherlands,[18] and Turkey[19] had already expressed an interest in bidding to host the tournament, then-UEFA presidentMichel Platini suggested at a press conference on 30 June 2012, a day before theUEFA Euro 2012 Final, that instead of having one host country, or joint hosting by multiple countries, the tournament could be spread over "12 or 13 cities" across the continent, as was done for theUEFA European Under-17 Championship'selite round, where each of the seven groups was hosted by a different country.[20]
On 6 December 2012, UEFA announced the tournament would be held in multiple cities across Europe to mark the 60th anniversary of the tournament.[21][22] The selection of the host cities did not guarantee an automatic qualifying berth to the national team of that country. UEFA reasoned that the pan-European staging of the tournament was the logical decision at a time of financial difficulty, such as theEuropean debt crisis.[23][24] Reaction to UEFA's plan was mixed across Europe.[25] Critics cited the expanded format (from 31 matches featuring 16 nations to 51 featuring 24) and its associated additional costs as the decisive factor for only one nation (Turkey) having put forward a serious bid.[26]
The final list of bids was published by UEFA on 26 April 2014, with a decision on the hosts being made by the UEFA Executive Committee on 19 September 2014. There were two bids for the Finals Package (of which one was successful, marked with dark green for semi-finals and final) and 19 bids for the Standard Package (of which 12 were initially successful, marked with light green for quarter-finals and group stage, and yellow for round of 16 and group stage); Brussels, marked with red, were initially selected but removed from the list of venues by UEFA on 7 December 2017.[27][11][28] Dublin, marked in red, was initially selected but removed from the list of venues by UEFA on 23 April 2021. On the same day, UEFA also announced the matches in Spain would be moved fromBilbao toSeville.[10]
Successful bid for group stage and round of 16
Successful bid for group stage and quarter-finals
Successful bid for semi-finals and final. Later added: Group stage and round of 16
Successful bid for group stage and round of 16 at first but later removed from list
Successful bid for group stage and round of 16 but later changed to another venue in country
Unsuccessful bid (either rejected as judged by UEFA to not fulfill the bid requirements, or eliminated by vote)
UEFA held avideoconference on 17 March 2020 with representatives of its 55 member associations, along with aFIFPro representative and the boards of theEuropean Club Association andEuropean Leagues, to discuss the response to the outbreak for domestic and European competitions, including Euro 2020.[32] At the meeting, UEFA announced that the tournament would be postponed to the following year, proposing that it take place from 11 June to 11 July 2021.[33] The postponement allowed for pressure to be reduced on the public services in affected countries, while also providing space in the calendar for domestic European leagues that had been suspended to complete their seasons.[34] On the following day, the Bureau of theFIFA Council approved the date change in theFIFA International Match Calendar. As a result, theexpanded FIFA Club World Cup, due to take place in June and July 2021, was cancelled.[35] On 23 April 2020, UEFA confirmed that the tournament would still be known as UEFA Euro 2020.[36][37]
In May 2020, Čeferin stated that in principle the tournament would take place in the twelve selected host cities. However, he did not rule out the possibility of reducing the number of cities, as three hosts were unsure if matches could be held under the new schedule.[38] The tournament venues and match schedule was reviewed by the UEFA Executive Committee during their meeting on 17 June 2020.[39] At the meeting, UEFA confirmed that all twelve original host venues would remain as hosts for the tournament in 2021, and approved the revised match schedule.[40][41] However, Čeferin stated in October 2020 that it was still possible that the tournament could be played in fewer than the planned twelve host countries.[42] The following month, UEFA stated that it "intends to hold Euro 2020 in the format and the venues confirmed earlier this year and we are working closely with all host cities on preparations".[43] It was also announced that each host was discussing with UEFA and local health authorities on whether the venue could host matches at full capacity, between 100% and 50% capacity, at 33% capacity or behind closed doors. Each host city was asked to draw up two or three plans from the four options. The restrictions could also involve only local spectators to be permitted at matches. A final decision on which scenario would be applied individually at each venue was originally to be made on 5 March 2021.[44][45] In October 2020, it was announced that UEFA matches would be suspended from taking place in Armenia and Azerbaijan until further notice due to the2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war.[46] However, this did not affect the planning of Euro 2020 matches to be held inBaku.[47] This restriction was lifted in December 2020 following aceasefire agreement between the countries.[48]
In a New Year's interview, Čeferin said, "Vaccination has started and I think we will be able to have full stands in the summer. For now, the plan is to play in all twelve countries. Of course, there are backup options in case a country has a problem. We are ready to organise competitions in eleven, ten or nine cities... and even only in one country, if necessary. However, I am 99.9 percent sure that we will have the European Championship in all twelve cities, as planned."[49][50] On 27 January 2021, UEFA met with the host associations to discuss operational matters, and reaffirmed the tournament would be held across twelve cities.[51] The deadline for hosts to submit their venue capacity plans was moved to 7 April 2021,[52] with a final decision on host cities and spectators to originally be made by the UEFA Executive Committee on 19 April 2021.[53] UEFA announced on the following day thatDaniel Koch, the former head of communicable diseases at Switzerland'sFederal Office of Public Health, would serve as the tournament's medical advisor on matters related to the COVID-19 pandemic.[54] In February 2021, theIsrael Football Association offered to stage some tournament matches in the country, which had ahigh rate of vaccination. However, this was turned down by UEFA, who reiterated their commitment to the twelve host cities.[55] In a March 2021 interview, Čeferin said, "We have several scenarios, but the one guarantee we can make is that the option of playing any Euro 2020 match in an empty stadium is off the table. Every host must guarantee there will be fans at their games." UEFA subsequently stated that no host city would be automatically dropped should they decide to play matches behind closed doors. However, UEFA would need to consider whether it would make sense to play matches without spectators, or if these matches should be reallocated to other venues.[56] That same month,British prime ministerBoris Johnson offered UEFA to host additional tournament matches in England should any venues need to be reassigned.[57]
On 9 April 2021, UEFA announced that eight of the original twelve tournament hosts confirmed their spectator plans, with stadium capacities ranging from 25% to 100%. OnlyBilbao,Dublin,Munich andRome had yet to submit their plans, with each host originally given an extension until 19 April 2021 to submit their venue capacities.[58] On 14 April, UEFA announced that Rome had guaranteed spectators for the tournament, and was therefore confirmed as a venue.[59] On 19 April, it was announced that another extension was given to the three remaining hosts until 23 April, when UEFA would make its final decision.[60] Due to the need to finalise ticketing details, host cities would have until 28 April to decide on whether to leave their spectator limits unchanged, or to upscale their allowed capacities.[61]
Also on 23 April, UEFA announced that local authorities had guaranteed "a minimum of 14,500 spectators" for the matches scheduled in Munich, which was therefore confirmed as host of four games.[10] However, both the regional government ofBavaria and theGerman interior ministry subsequently reiterated their position that there was no such guarantee, and admittance of spectators would depend on the actual pandemic situation at the time of the tournament.[67] A few days later, UEFA president Čeferin backtracked in an interview with a German newspaper, denying that UEFA had demanded guarantees for games with spectators, and conceding that "the local authorities will decide before the games whether spectators will be admitted or not."[68][69]
Wembley Stadium's hosting of both the semi-finals and thefinal was threatened over quarantine restrictions in the United Kingdom that fans and 2,500 VIPs would be subject to. ThePuskás Aréna inBudapest was considered as an alternative venue, as Hungary would have no entry restrictions for travel within theSchengen Area and could host the matches at full capacity.[70] A spokesman for theHungarian Football Federation said the organisation was "ready to host any high-level football event".[71] However, UEFA remained confident that Wembley could host the final, as the organisation and theUK government discussed quarantine exemptions,[72] but did not rule out a change in venue.[73] MinisterKit Malthouse said the government was doing "as much as we possibly can" to host the final,[74] while prime ministerBoris Johnson stated they would try to make "sensible accommodations" for UEFA while still prioritising public health.[75]Italian Prime MinisterMario Draghi said the final should be held in Rome due torising COVID-19 cases in the United Kingdom.[76] The following week, it was reported that officials and executives travelling for the matches would not need to self-isolate, though they would be subject to restrictions and required to remain in "football bubbles".[77][78]
On 31 March 2021, the UEFA Executive Committee approved the use of a maximum of five substitutions in matches at the tournament (with a sixth allowed in extra time).[7] However, each team are only given three opportunities to make substitutions, with a fourth opportunity allowed in extra time, excluding substitutions made at half-time, before the start of extra time and at half-time in extra time.[79] The use of five substitutes has been permitted byIFAB during the COVID-19 pandemic due to the resulting fixture congestion, which has created a greater burden on players.[80]
At the start of April 2021, UEFA also said they were considering allowing tournament squads to be expanded from the usual 23 players, following calls from national team managers in case of a possible COVID outbreak in a team, as well as to reduce player fatigue caused by the fixture congestion of the prior season.[81] On 27 April, it was reported that the UEFA National Team Competitions Committee had approved the expansion of squads to 26 players, subject to confirmation by the UEFA Executive Committee.[82] On 4 May 2021, the executive committee confirmed the use of 26-player squads. However, teams still may only name a maximum of 23 players on the match sheet for each tournament fixture (of which 12 are substitutes), in line with theLaws of the Game. These 23 must include three goalkeepers. It was also announced that after each team's first match, goalkeepers may still be replaced due to physical incapacity, even if the other goalkeepers from the squad are still available.[83]
Water breaks were permitted so that players could drink from their own personal bottles.[84] Cooling breaks, first seen at the2014 FIFA World Cup were also permitted for games played in higher temperatures.[85]
If a group of players of a team were placed into mandatory quarantine or self-isolation following a decision from national or local health officials due to positiveSARS-CoV-2 tests, the match would go ahead as scheduled as long as the team had at least 13 players available (including at least one goalkeeper). If fewer than 13 players were available (including at least one goalkeeper), additional players could have been called up to meet the minimum of 13 players required. In such a case, an equivalent number of quarantined players had to have been definitively withdrawn from the 26-player list.
If a team could not field the minimum required number of players due to positive SARS-CoV-2 tests, the match could have been rescheduled within the next 48 hours of the original date of the match by the UEFA administration, subject to viable rescheduling options being available. Additionally, UEFA could have reassigned the rescheduled match to an alternative venue if deemed appropriate.
If the match could not be rescheduled, the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body would have decided on the matter. The team responsible for the match not taking place would have been considered to have forfeited the match and would have lost 3–0.
If any member of the appointed referee team had to be replaced due to a positive SARS-CoV-2 test, UEFA could have exceptionally appointed a match official of the same nationality as one of the teams or not on theFIFA list.
There was no automatic qualifying berth, and all 55 UEFA national teams, including the twelve national teams whose countries were selected to stage matches, had to compete in the qualifiers for the 24 places at the finals tournament.[87][88] As the host cities were appointed by UEFA in September 2014, before the qualifiers, it was possible for the national teams from the host cities to fail to qualify for the finals tournament. The qualifying draw was held on 2 December 2018 at theConvention Centre Dublin inDublin, Ireland.[89]
The main qualifying process started in March 2019, instead of immediately in September 2018 following the2018 FIFA World Cup, and ended in November 2019. The format remained largely the same, although only 20 of the 24 spots for the finals tournament were decided from the main qualifying process, leaving four spots still to be decided. Following the admission ofKosovo to UEFA in May 2016, it was announced that the 55 members at the time would be drawn into ten groups after the completion of the UEFA Nations League (five groups of five teams and five groups of six teams, with the four participants of the UEFA Nations League Finals guaranteed to be drawn into groups of five teams), with the top two teams in each group qualifying. The qualifiers were played on double matchdays in March, June, September, October and November 2019.[90]
With the creation of theUEFA Nations League starting in 2018,[91][90][92][93] the2018–19 UEFA Nations League was linked with Euro qualifying, providing teams another chance to qualify for the tournament. Four teams from each division that had not already qualified for the European Championship competed in theplay-offs for each division. The winners of the play-offs for each division, which were decided by two one-off semi-finals (the best-ranked team vs. the lowest-ranked team, and the second-best-ranked team vs. the third-best-ranked team, played at home of higher-ranked teams) and a one-off final (with the venue drawn in advance between the two semi-finals winners), joined the 20 teams that had already qualified for the tournament.[93]
Of the 24 teams that qualified for the tournament, 19 were returning from the2016 edition. Among them wereBelgium andItaly, who both had recorded flawless qualifying campaigns (ten wins in ten matches),[94][95] defending European championsPortugal and world championsFrance, withGermany also qualifying for a record 13th straight European Championship.[96]Finland andNorth Macedonia made their European Championship debuts, having never previously qualified for a major tournament.[97][98]Scotland, a co-host of the tournament, qualified for their first major international tournament since the1998 FIFA World Cup, and their first European Championship since1996.[99] TheNetherlands andDenmark returned after missing out in 2016, with the Dutch featuring in a major tournament for the first time since the2014 FIFA World Cup.[100][101] For the first time,Austria,Hungary,Slovakia, andWales reached successive European Championship tournaments.[102][103]Greece, winners in2004, were the only former champions that failed to qualify, missing their second straight European Championship and third consecutive major tournament.[104]Albania,Iceland,Northern Ireland, theRepublic of Ireland, andRomania failed to qualify after appearing in the 2016 finals.[105]
As of 2024, this was the last time that Russia and Sweden qualified for either the World Cup or European Championship finals, and the last time Wales has qualified for a European Championship finals. It was also the only time Finland and North Macedonia qualified and the last timeAlbania,Georgia, Romania,Serbia andSlovenia failed to qualify.
The 13 original venues were selected and announced by UEFA on 19 September 2014.[112] However, the UEFA Executive Committee removedBrussels as a host city on 7 December 2017 due to delays with the building ofEurostadium. The four matches (three group stage, one round of 16) initially scheduled to be held in Brussels were reallocated toWembley Stadium inLondon.[9] On 23 April 2021, UEFA announced that due to a lack of guarantees regarding spectators caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,Aviva Stadium inDublin was removed as a tournament host. Their four matches were reallocated toKrestovsky Stadium inSaint Petersburg for the three group stage matches, and Wembley Stadium in London for the round of 16 fixture. Similarly, UEFA reassigned the four matches in Spain elsewhere in the country, withEstadio de La Cartuja inSeville replacingSan Mamés Stadium inBilbao.[10]
Of the eleven selected cities and countries, seven cities and six countries had never hosted a European Championship finals match before. Seville was not a venue when Spain hosted the1964 European Nations' Cup, and none of Azerbaijan, Denmark, Hungary, Romania, Russia or Scotland had hosted the tournament previously. Of the eleven selected stadiums, only two had hosted a European Championship match before: theStadio Olimpico (1968 and1980) and theJohan Cruyff Arena (2000). Theoriginal Wembley stadium hosted games and the final inUEFA Euro 1996, but although it stood on the same site, this was classified as a different stadium to the currentWembley Stadium.
Each city hosted three group stage matches and one match in the round of 16 or quarter-finals, with the exception of Saint Petersburg, which hosted six group stage matches, and London, which hosted two matches in the round of 16. The match allocation for the eleven stadiums is as follows:
Group stage, round of 16, semi-finals and final:London (England)
The host cities were divided into six pairings, established on the basis of sporting strength (assuming all host teams qualify), geographical considerations and security/political constraints. The pairings were allocated to groups by means of a random draw on 7 December 2017. Each qualified host country played a minimum of two matches at home. The following group venue pairings were announced:[9]
The following criteria applied to define the home matches of host teams within the same group:[114]
If both host teams qualified directly or both advanced to the play-offs, a draw determined which team would play all three group stage matches at home (including the head-to-head match), and which one played only two matches at home.
If one host team qualified directly, and the other failed to also directly qualify, the directly qualified host team played all three group stage matches at home, and the other host, if qualified, would play only two.
If one host team advanced to the play-offs, and the other was eliminated, the host team in the play-offs, if qualified, had played all three group stage matches at home.
No action was necessary should both host teams failed to have qualified.
If a host team in the play-offs failed to qualify, the path winner would take the spot of the host in the match schedule and therefore would play the two or three matches based on the above criteria in the host city of the respective host that failed to qualify. The draw took place on 22 November 2019, 12:00CET, at the UEFA headquarters inNyon, Switzerland (along with thedraw for the play-offs).[115] In the draw, which was only necessary for Group B (Denmark and Russia), two balls were prepared, with the first drawn hosting the three matches.[116]
Allocation of group stage home matches to host countries
^abIn April 2021, Dublin was removed as a tournament host, with their group stage matches reallocated to Saint Petersburg, who were already hosts of Group B.
Due to theCOVID-19 pandemic and the resulting restrictions on public gatherings, many of the venues at the tournament were unable to operate at full capacity. UEFA asked each host to devise a spectator plan in conjunction with their local/national government and health authorities. The hosts were given a deadline of 7 April 2021 to communicate their plans with UEFA. On 9 April, UEFA announced that eight of the tournament hosts had confirmed their stadium capacities, ranging from 25% to 100%. The remaining four hosts (Bilbao,Dublin,Munich andRome) were given an extension until 23 April to submit their venue capacities.[58] On 14 April, UEFA announced that Rome had also confirmed its venue capacity.[59] On 23 April, the venue capacity for Munich was also confirmed, while Bilbao was replaced bySeville, which could guarantee spectators. In addition, Dublin was removed as a host, as it was unable to ensure spectators could attend.[10]
Many of the matches did not see stadiums filled to their allowed capacity, with only Netherlands group stage matches that were played at theJohan Cruyff Arena seeing the stadium come within less than a thousand seats of being full. The match between England and Croatia saw an attendance of 18,497, compared to the allowed capacity of 22,500, withUEFA suggesting quarantine restrictions as the cause for the smaller attendance.[117]
40% (approximately 15,900) for the first match against Finland and 67% (approximately 25,000) for the remaining two group stage matches and the round of 16 match.[122]
25% (approximately 22,500) for the group stage and the first match in the round of 16, 50% (approximately 45,000) for the second match in the round of 16 and 67% (approximately 60,000) for the semi-finals and final[124]
Each team chose a "team base camp" for its stay between the matches. The teams trained and resided in these locations throughout the tournament, travelling to games staged away from their bases. Unlike previous tournaments, each team could set up their base camp anywhere due to the pan-European format, without any obligation of staying in any of the host countries.[127]
The base camps selected by the 20 directly qualified teams were announced by UEFA on 27 January 2020.[128] The base camps of the remaining teams qualified via the play-offs were announced in 2021.[129]
The draw for the final tournament was held on 30 November 2019, 18:00CET (19:00 local time,EET) atRomexpo inBucharest,Romania.[135][136][137][106] The 24 teams were drawn into six groups of four. The identity of the four play-off teams were not known at the time of the draw and were identified as play-off winners A to D.[138] Should there have been groups that could not be finalised at the time of the final tournament draw, another draw would have been held after the play-offs on 1 April 2020,[1] but UEFA confirmed the additional draw was not necessary after the identity of the 20 directly qualified teams and the 16 play-offs teams was known.[116]
Pot 2: Group winners ranked 7–10, group runners-up ranked 1–2 (11–12 overall)
Pot 3: Group runners-up ranked 3–8 (13–18 overall)
Pot 4: Group runners-up ranked 9–10 (19–20 overall), play-off winners A–D (identity unknown at the time of the draw)
As two host teams from the same group could not be in the same seeding pot, the UEFA Emergency Panel would have either switched one host team with the lowest-ranked team of the higher pot, or switched one host team with the highest-ranked team of the lower pot (based on the principle that the move would have minimal impact on the original seeding). However, no seeding adjustments were necessary.
The draw started with Pot 1 and completed with Pot 4, from where a team was drawn and assigned to the first available group. The position in the group (for the determination of the match schedule) was then drawn. In the draw, the following conditions applied (including for teams that could still qualify via the play-offs):[140]
Automatic group assignments: Host teams were automatically assigned to their group based on the host city pairings.
Prohibited clashes: For political reasons, UEFA set pairs of teams that were considered prohibited clashes. In addition to being unable to be drawn into the same group, non-host teams were prevented from being drawn into a group hosted by a country they clash with, even should the host not qualify. Only one prohibited clash,Russia / Ukraine, applied during the group stage draw. Other prohibited clashes among qualified and play-off teams wereKosovo / Bosnia and Herzegovina andKosovo / Serbia, but the teams in these pairs were all in the play-offs and in Pot 4 for the draw, and would not be in the same group;Kosovo / Russia was also prohibited,[141] but they also would not be in the same group due to play-off path pairings necessary for host allocation. However, these prohibited clashes would not be excluded for the knockout stage.
Due to the format of theplay-offs, which made anticipating all possible scenarios impossible, the UEFA administration had to wait to solve issues relating to the final tournament draw until the completion of the qualifying group stage.[114] It was not possible for UEFA to prevent one of the play-off paths from containing two host teams, resulting inRomania (Group C hosts) andHungary (Group F hosts) being drawn together inPath A. Therefore, the winner of this play-off path needed to be assigned two groups in the final tournament draw. To allow for this, Path A was paired withPath D (which does not contain a host), therefore providing a clear scenario for each possible qualified team. A draw took place on 22 November 2019, 12:00CET, at the UEFA headquarters inNyon, Switzerland (along with theplay-offs draw), which decided on the order of priority for the allocation of Path A to the final tournament groups.[116]
Two balls were prepared containing the names of the two groups hosted by the teams in question (Group C and Group F for Romania and Hungary, respectively). The first ball drawn determined the group ("priority group") that was allocated to Path A, except for the host team of the second ball drawn ("non-priority group") winning Path A. In the draw, Group F was selected as the priority group, resulting in the following possible outcomes:
Romania don't win Path A: The winner of Path A would enter Group F, and the winner of Path D would enter Group C. (AsRomania lost in the semi-finals of the play-offs, this was the resulting group assignment.)
Romania win Path A: Romania would enter Group C, and the winner of Path D would enter Group F.
^abUkraine could not be drawn into the same group as Russia (Group B host). Since they also could not be drawn into any of the other four groups with Pot 1 hosts, Ukraine were assigned to Group C. Consequently, Belgium were assigned to Group B.
^Identity of the four play-off winners was unknown at the time of the draw.
^Romania (Group C host) and Hungary (Group F host) competed in play-off Path A, and thus the winner of Path A wasassigned to two groups (Group C and Group F), with the final assignment depending on the identity of the Path A winner.
^Republic of Ireland (original Group E host) competed in play-off Path B, and thus the winner of Path B was assigned to Group E.
^Scotland (Group D host) competed in play-off Path C, and thus the winner of Path C was assigned to Group D.
^Play-off Path D was paired with Path A (which contained two hosts), and thus the winner of Path D wasassigned to two groups (Group C and Group F), with the final assignment depending on the identity of the Path A winner.
The fixtures for the group stage were decided based on the draw results, as follows:
Note: Positions for scheduling did not use the seeding pots, and instead used the draw positions, e.g. Team 1 was not necessarily the team from Pot 1 in the draw.
To lessen the load on players due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and in case of an outbreak within a team, squad sizes were increased from 23 (used at every European Championship since 2004) to 26. However, the maximum number of players permitted on the match sheet for each tournament fixture remained 23.[83] Each nation's squad, which had to include three goalkeepers, was submitted at least ten days before the opening match of the tournament (by 1 June 2021). If a player became injured or ill severely enough to prevent his participation in the tournament before his team's first match, he could be replaced by another player;[1] however, goalkeepers could still be replaced after their team's first match due to physical incapacity.[83]
On 27 September 2018, the UEFA Executive Committee approved the use of thevideo assistant referee (VAR) system for the first time at the UEFA European Championship.[8] On 12 February 2020, UEFA andCONMEBOL signed amemorandum of understanding to enhance collaboration, including the possibility of a team of South American match officials appointed for the group stage of the tournament.[143]
On 21 April 2021, UEFA announced the 19 refereeing teams for the tournament.[144] This included Argentine refereeFernando Rapallini and his assistants, who were the first South American officials to be selected for the European Championship as part of UEFA's referee exchange programme with CONMEBOL. A group of Spanish officials were similarly selected for the2021 Copa América.[145]
A refereeing team of nine officials was appointed for each match. The team of five at the stadium consisted of areferee, twoassistant referees, afourth official and areserve assistant referee.[145] In addition, four video match officials were located at UEFA's headquarters inNyon, Switzerland. This team consisted of a video assistant referee (the lead video official who was the main point of contact with the referee), anassistant video assistant referee (AVAR 1, who concentrated on following the match), an offside VAR (AVAR 2, who reviewed all potential offside situations) and a support VAR (AVAR 3, who acted in a coordination capacity).[146] The tournament used the 2021Laws of the Game, which came into force on 1 July but could be introduced in competitions that began immediately beforehand.[147]
In addition, UEFA announced 22 video match officials and twelve support match officials (who acted as fourth official or reserve assistant referee).[144] This included support refereeStéphanie Frappart, the first female official at the UEFA European Championship finals.[145]
UEFA announced the original tournament schedule on 24 May 2018, which only included kick-off times for the opening match and quarter-finals onward.[151][152] The kick-off times of the remaining group stage and round of 16 matches were announced on 30 November 2019 following the final draw.[153] On 17 June 2020, UEFA announced the revised match schedule for the tournament in 2021.[154][155] All match dates, kick-off times and venues remained identical, but shifted one day earlier so matches would remain on the same day of the week (i.e. from 12 to 11 June for the opening match to remain on a Friday). On 23 April 2021, UEFA revised the venue assignments of the match schedule after one stadium was removed from the tournament and another was replaced.[156]
If two or more teams were equal on points on completion of the group matches, the following tie-breaking criteria were applied:[1]
Higher number of points obtained in the matches played between the teams in question;
Superior goal difference resulting from the matches played between the teams in question;
Higher number of goals scored in the matches played between the teams in question;
If, after having applied criteria 1 to 3, teams still had an equal ranking, criteria 1 to 3 were reapplied exclusively to the matches between the teams who were still level to determine their final rankings.[a] If this procedure did not lead to a decision, criteria 5 to 9 applied;
Superior goal difference in all group matches;
Higher number of goals scored in all group matches;
Lower disciplinary points total in all group matches (1 point for a single yellow card, 3 points for a red card whenever it was a straight red or two yellows, 4 points for a yellow card followed by a direct red card);
However, the normal tiebreaking criteria do not apply if on the last round of the group stage, two teams were facing each other and each had the same number of points, as well as the same number of goals scored and conceded, and the score finished level in their match, and no other teams have the same number of points; in that case, their ranking was determined by apenalty shoot-out.
Notes
^If there was a three-way tie on points, the application of the first three criteria could only break the tie for one of the teams, leaving the other two teams still tied. In this case, the tiebreaking procedure was resumed, from the beginning, for the two teams that were still tied.
^This criterion could only break a tie if a point deduction were to occur, as multiple teams in the same group could not otherwise be tied on points but have a different number of wins.
President Sergio Mattarella celebrates Italy victory and Matteo Berrettini's Wimbledon Final
In the knockout stage, if a match was level at the end of normal playing time,extra time was played (two periods of 15 minutes each), with each team being allowed to make a sixthsubstitution.[7] If still tied after extra time, the match was decided by apenalty shoot-out.[1]
UEFA's technical observer team was given the objective of naming a team of the best eleven players from the tournament. Five players from the winning Italian squad were named in the team.[213]
The Player of the Tournament award was given toGianluigi Donnarumma, the first goalkeeper to win the award, who was chosen by UEFA's technical observers.[214]
The Young Player of the Tournament award, open to players born on or after 1 January 1998, was given toPedri, as chosen by UEFA's technical observers.[215]
The "Alipay Top Scorer" award, given to the top scorer of the tournament, was awarded toCristiano Ronaldo, who scored five goals and recorded one assist.[216] The ranking was determined using the following criteria: goals, assists, fewest minutes played and goals in qualifying.[217]
The Goal of the Tournament was decided by online voting. A total 10 goals were in the shortlist. On 14 July 2021, after an open vote with over 800,000 entries, UEFA announced that Czech forwardPatrik Schick's second goal againstScotland had been named the goal of the tournament.[218]
The prize money was finalised in February 2018. Each team received a participation fee of €9.25 million, with the winner able to earn a maximum of €34 million.[219]
A player or team official was automatically suspended for the next match for the following offences:[1]
Receiving a red card (red card suspensions could be extended for serious offences)
Receiving two yellow cards in two different matches;[A] yellow cards expired after the completion of the quarter-finals (yellow card suspensions were not carried forward to any other future international matches)
The following players earned a suspension during the tournament:[220][221][222]
^As yellow cards are not carried forward topenalty shoot-outs, players may be shown two yellow cards in the same fixture without being sent off. However, this would result in a suspension for accumulating two yellow cards during the tournament.
The official logo was unveiled on 21 September 2016, during a ceremony at theCity Hall inLondon. The logo depicted theHenri Delaunay Trophy surrounded by celebrating fans on a bridge, which, according to UEFA, represented how football connects and unifies people.[224][225]
Each individual host city also had their own unique logo. The rectangular logos featured the textUEFA EURO 2020 on the top, the city name above the texthost city on the bottom (all in uppercase), the main tournament logo on the left and a local bridge on the right. Each logo existed in English, along with variations in the local language when applicable. The logos were unveiled from September 2016 to January 2017.
The official slogan of the tournament was "Live It. For Real." The slogan was meant to encourage fans to see the matches live in the stadiums across Europe.[239]
On 6 November 2019, UEFA announced that the "Adidas Uniforia" would be the tournament's official match ball. Predominantly white, the ball featured black strokes with blue, neon and pink stripes with panels designed to resemble ahashtag, and had the coordinates of twelve cities which hosted the finals (including Dublin and Bilbao, which were later removed as the host cities). The name was derived from aportmanteau of "unity" and "euphoria".[240]
A special variation named "Adidas Uniforia Finale" was launched on 5 July 2021, to be used in both semi-finals and the final match. The ball had a silver base, a different colour arrangement, and Wembley Stadium's coordinates (51° 33' 21,5" N, 0° 16' 46,4" W) written on the ball.
On 19 October 2019, Dutch DJ and music producerMartin Garrix was announced as the official music artist of the tournament.[242] He produced the official song of the tournament, as well as the walkout music preceding matches and the television broadcast music.[243] The official song, "We Are the People", featuredBono andthe Edge from Irish rock bandU2 and was released on 14 May 2021.[244][245] It was first performed in full at a virtual opening ceremony at theStadio Olimpico in Rome.
The game was released by Konami as a freeDLC oneFootball PES 2020 in June 2020, and on theeFootball PES 2021 Season Update on launch day. It included the official kits and player likenesses for all 55 officially licensed UEFA teams. The update also included five out of eleven venues of the tournament, as well as the official match ball.[246][247]
The team of Ukraine presented its shirt for the championship, decorated with a map of national borders, includingCrimea. The peninsula wasannexed by the Russian Federation in 2014 but is still considered part of its territory by Ukraine and theUnited Nations. The shirt carried the slogan "Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the heroes!"Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswomanMaria Zakharova said that it was aUkrainian nationalist slogan that imitated aNazi one. Russian DeputyDmitry Svishchev called UEFA to intervene because the shirt was "totally inappropriate".[262] UEFA said there was no dispute for the map of Ukraine, as it reflected the borders recognized by theUnited Nations, while it ordered the removal of the phrase, as "specific combination of the two slogans is deemed to be clearly political in nature, having historic and militaristic significance."[263]
Following the match, the Danish team stated that it was unfair they had to decide to continue playing the match.[267] Former Danish internationalPeter Schmeichel said that the Danish team had been given the options to finish the game that same day, finish the game the next day at 12 pm, or forfeit the game and lose 3–0. UEFA denied that either team had been threatened with a forfeit.[268][269][270]
British broadcaster BBC received over 6,000 complaints over the UEFA video-feed broadcasting live images of Eriksen receiving CPR on the pitch.[271][272] Eriksen was later fitted with animplantable cardioverter-defibrillator, and returned to playing withBrentford eight months later.[273]
In theAustria vs North Macedonia match on 13 June 2021, Austrian playerMarko Arnautović insulted Macedonian playerEzgjan Alioski and his family after his goal to make it 3–1. Arnautović is ofSerbian descent, and Alioski is ofAlbanian descent; both countries have been inconflict overKosovo for decades. TheFootball Federation of North Macedonia lodged a complaint with UEFA after the game, demanding a clear penalty. The UEFA Control Committee then opened an investigation, Arnautović was banned from the next game by UEFA for "insulting another player", and was unable to play inNetherlands vs Austria, the group's second game.[274]
At a press conference beforeHungary vs Portugal on 14 June 2021,Cristiano Ronaldo removedCoca-Cola bottles from the table and then held a water bottle in front of the camera to highlight that water, healthier thanCoca-Cola, is his ideal drink;[275][276] it was thought that Ronaldo's actions were behind the collapse of Coca-Cola market value, but it was later found it had nothing to do with it.[277][278][279] AfterFrance vs Germany, France'sPaul Pogba, a practisingMuslim,[280] moved bottles of non-alcoholicHeineken beer from the table at a press conference.[281] After these two actions, UEFA spoke with each team participating in the European Championship, in which it pointed out the importance of sponsors. UEFA also said that if it happened again, then punishments would be given out to those players.[282]
In the run-up to theFrance vs Germany on 15 June 2021 inMunich, a man with aparamotor got stuck on a fixed rope during a flight over the stadium, fell into a descent, grazed the spectator stands, and landed on the pitch. In the action planned as a protest byGreenpeace against car manufacturerVolkswagen, in which only a large ball with a label was supposed to be thrown onto the field, two people in the stands suffered head injuries and had to receive medical care.[283] The campaign provoked strong criticism due to the endangerment of viewers; UEFA criticised it as a "reckless and dangerous action" that could have had serious consequences for many people.[284] TheGerman Football Association (DFB), theBavarian Prime MinisterMarkus Söder, and other politicians made similar statements, and Greenpeace apologised. A total flight ban was issued over the stadium for the duration of the European Championship. The Munich police investigated the paramotor pilot for dangerous bodily harm,trespassing, and violation of the Aviation Act.[285][286] The 40 year old pilot was later convicted of endangering air traffic and negligent bodily harm and fined €7,200 for parachuting into the stadium and a further €3,500 in damages to one of the people who were injured, while another 36-year-old man who helped to organise the protest was ordered to pay a fine of €3,000.[287]
In connection withPride Month, the German team usedrelated symbolism. Team captainManuel Neuer wore acaptain's armband in rainbow colours in a friendly againstLatvia on 7 June and continued to wear the armband in Germany's subsequent games. An investigation by UEFA followed during the group stage of the tournament. They assessed the armband as a "team symbol for diversity" and "a good cause." UEFA decided not to impose a penalty because of the rule broken by Neuer, which obliges team captains to wear UEFA captains' armbands.[288]
Illumination of the Allianz Arena in rainbow colours
Lighting of the Allianz Arena in rainbow colours (2016)
Before theGermany vs Hungary group stage match on 23 June 2021, Munich City Council applied to UEFA to have the façade of the stadium illuminated in rainbow colours as a sign of diversity and tolerance. Since the project was understood as a protest againsta law passed by theHungarian Parliament that, according to its critics, restricts the "information rights" of young people with regard tohomosexuality andgender transitioning,[289] UEFA rejected the application with reference to its status as a politically and religiously neutral organisation.[290] After initially approving the illumination of the stadium in rainbow colours, theGerman Football Association joined the UEFA position. TheMayor of MunichDieter Reiter criticised these decisions and described the illumination not as a political measure but as what he called a sign of humanity and a symbol for the acceptance of equality between people.[291] In contrast, theHungarian Minister of Foreign AffairsPéter Szijjártó welcomed UEFA's decision "not to be involved in a political provocation against Hungary."[292]
Numerous reactions from German political parties condemned the ban by UEFA. Nationwide, other football stadiums, such as those inCologne,Augsburg,Frankfurt,Wolfsburg,Berlin, andDarmstadt, were to be illuminated in the rainbow colours. Munich illuminated theTown Hall,Olympiaturm, and thewind turbine right next to the football arena. In the Netherlands, theErasmusbrug,Ziggo Dome, tower inAlphen aan den Rijn and several town halls were illuminated.[293][294] In protest against the UEFA ban, several large German corporations also changed their company logos on social media sites to rainbow colours. This includedBMW,Volkswagen,Deutsche Telekom,Siemens,Sparkasse, andHypoVereinsbank.[295]CSD Germany announced that they would be distributing up to 11,000 flags, 5,000 cardboard boxes, and 4,500 stickers with the words "Don't KickLGBTIQ Rights" to fans in front of the stadium. On 23 June, UEFA itself also changed their logo in social media to include a rainbow background, with a statement that "the rainbow is not a political symbol, but a sign of our firm commitment to a more diverse and inclusive society."[296] As a counter-action,Gábor Kubatov, president of the Hungarian clubFerencváros and vice-president ofFidesz, called for stadiums in Hungary to be illuminated in theHungarian national colours. In addition,Prime Minister of HungaryViktor Orbán cancelled a visit to Munich in protest.[297][298]
On 3 July 2021, UEFA began an investigation after two fans had arainbow flag confiscated during thequarter-final match between the Czech Republic and Denmark at theBaku Olympic Stadium in Azerbaijan.[299][300] Photos emerged while the match was being played, showing two stewards taking a rainbow flag, waved in support of theLGBTQ+ community, being taken.[301] In a statement, UEFA said: "UEFA never instructed stewards inBaku – or in any other stadium – to confiscate rainbow flags. We are currently investigating what happened and we will of course contact the UEFA delegate, UEFA security officer and local authorities to clear this up. The rainbow flag is a symbol that embodies UEFA core values, promoting everything that we believe in – a more just andegalitarian society, tolerant of everyone and UEFA has ensured that the flag was returned to the supporter."[302]
In the 104th minute in theEngland vs Denmark semi-final match, on-field refereeDanny Makkelie awarded apenalty kick to England after adjudging Danish defenderJoakim Mæhle to have fouled English playerRaheem Sterling in the penalty area. Danish goalkeeperKasper Schmeichel stoppedHarry Kane's penalty kick, but Kane was able to score from the rebound. In a press conference shortly after the match, Danish coachKasper Hjulmand expressed his dissatisfaction with the penalty decision,[303] as well as the fact that there were two balls on the pitch when the foul was given.[304] Non-English commentators such asArsène Wenger,José Mourinho, andDietmar Hamann criticised the penalty decision during and after the match, arguing that the penalty should not have been awarded when checked byVAR, whileRoy Keane described it as "very, very soft".[305][306] Former England forwardAlan Shearer also described the penalty decision as "soft", and said he would be "pretty angry if that penalty was given against England", while former England full-backGary Neville said: "If we're being fair, you'd be absolutely devastated if you lost to a penalty like that." Match official and current ESPN rules analystMark Clattenburg, who refereed theUEFA Euro 2016 Final, said he would not have awarded a penalty kick for a tackle of this sort "in such a key moment."[307][308]
TheBirmingham Mail claimed Denmark disrupted the English wall during a criticalfree kick that led to the opening goal of the match, and that Denmark's goal should have been disallowed as a result. According to theFIFA Laws of the Game, during a free kick, attackers must be within one metre from the defending team's wall, a rule that was violated by the Danish players who were accused of blocking goalkeeperJordan Pickford's vision.[309]
On 8 July 2021, a day after the match, UEFA opened a disciplinary case against the EnglishFootball Association over alaser pointed at Danish goalkeeper Schmeichel just before the decisive penalty, booing when theDanish national anthem was played, and use ofpyrotechnics.[310][311][312][313] The laser pointer first came to the notice of both the Football Association and UEFA in the first half of extra time but a search for the culprit was unsuccessful.[314] The Football Association were fined £25,630 (€30,000) for the three offences.[315][316][317]
On the day of theUEFA Euro 2020 final between Italy and England, thousands of England fans gathered atWembley Stadium throughout the morning and afternoon, which prompted thepolice to urge anyone without tickets to not travel there.[318] Two hours before the final, footage showed hundreds of fans fighting with stewards and police as they attempted to force their way past barriers to get into the stadium.[319][320] Around 400 people managed to gain access to the stadium, in block 104, without paying for a ticket.[321] Huge crowds gathered inLeicester Square throwing bottles and other objects, andTrafalgar Square, where a ticketed fan zone was set up.[322] As a result of the violence and disorder, a total of 86 people were arrested by police, 53 of which were made at Wembley stadium for a number of offences, including public order breaches, assault, drunk and disorderly conduct and criminal damage.[323][324][325] 19 police officers were injured, including one who lost a tooth and another suffered a broken hand.[321][326]
On 12 July 2021, a day after the final,the Football Association said it would conduct a full review into how people without tickets were able to breach security and gain access to Wembley stadium for the Euro 2020 final.[327][328][329] On 13 July 2021, following the chaotic scenes, UEFA opened a disciplinary case against the Football Association for the invasion of the pitch by an England supporter, throwing of objects by supporters, disturbances during theItalian national anthem, and the use ofpyrotechnics.[330][331][332]
On 18 October 2021, UEFA punished the Football Association (FA) for the unrest at the final by ordering England to play their next UEFA competition matchbehind closed doors.[333] UEFA also imposed a ban for a second game, suspended for two years, and fined the FA £84,560 (€100,000) for the lack of order and discipline inside and around the stadium, for the invasion of the field of play, for the throwing of objects and for the disturbances during the national anthems.[334]
England football playersBukayo Saka,Jadon Sancho, andMarcus Rashford were subjected toracist abuse online after missing penalties in England's Euro 2020 final defeat byItaly.[335][336] The three football players took the last three penalties, two of which were saved by Italy goalkeeperGianluigi Donnarumma, during England's 3–2 loss on penalties on Sunday 11 July 2021, and were all immediately targeted with racist language and emojis on theirsocial media accounts.[337][338]
The Football Association condemned the racist abuse and said it was "appalled by the online racism" aimed at some players on social media.[339] In a statement, it said: "We could not be clearer that anyone behind such disgusting behaviour is not welcome in following the team. We will do all we can to support the players affected while urging the toughest punishments possible for anyone responsible. We will continue to do everything we can to stamp discrimination out of the game, but we implore government to act quickly and bring in the appropriate legislation so this abuse has real life consequences. Social media companies need to step up and take accountability and action to ban abusers from their platforms, gather evidence that can lead to prosecution and support making their platforms free from this type of abhorrent abuse."[340]
The tournament was admired for its high scoring,[344][345] with 2.78 goals per game, a record for any European Championship since the introduction of the group stage in1980.[346] Two of the highest-scoring games at the European Championship occurred during the tournament. 18 goals scored across four group stage matches on 23 June 2021 were a tournament record,[347] whereas 14 goals scored in theCroatia vs Spain andFrance vs Switzerland matches on 28 June 2021 made it the highest-scoring day in knockout stages and the second highest overall.[348]
The "light touch" officiating was also well received, with a perception that referees aimed to keep play moving.[349][350]
^"UEFA Euro 2020 match schedule"(PDF).UEFA. Union of European Football Associations. 30 November 2019.Archived(PDF) from the original on 4 December 2019. Retrieved30 November 2019.
^Beer, Joshua; Schnitzler, Katja; David Wünschel, David (23 June 2021)."Die Entscheidung der Uefa ist beschämend" [The decision of Uefa is shameful].Süddeutsche Zeitung (in German). Retrieved23 June 2021.
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