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The Best Teams in UEFA European Championships History

Originally posted on Stadium Rant | By Matthew Adams | Last updated Sep 16, 2025 10:11 AM ET

The UEFA European Championship is one of the great soccer championships that includes the best teams in Europe. 16 teams play for the coveted Delaunay trophy, which remains one of the most cherished. These are a few of the great soccer teams that have played in the UEFA European Championships.

Spain 2008

The rise of the Spanish soccer team began at the 2008 European Championships. It was here that this great Spanish team won its first notable soccer trophy since 1964. This Spanish team dropped the great Raul from its lineup, but had an excellent replacement striker. David Villa filled the void left by Raul and combined with other great players such as Cesc Fabregas, Andrés Iniesta, Fernando Torres, and Xavi.

Spain scored a total of 12 goals, which was the highest number in that championship, and Villa netted four of those. They defeated Germany in the final to clinch their second European Championship title. This Spanish team would go on to win the 2010 World Cup to complete a unique World Cup and European Championship double.

Spain Euro 2012

The Spain team of 2012 wasn’t necessarily that much different from the class of 2008 in terms of players. The Spanish had refined and perfected their Tika-Taka philosophy under the management of Del Bosque, who replaced Luis Aragonés. The Euro 2012 Spanish side also had some great new additions, such as Jordi Alba at left-back.

This Spanish team made history by becoming the first to win back-to-back European Championships. It also completed a historic hat-trick of trophies after winning the 2010 FIFA World Cup. It was a fantastic short-passing team with mastery in possession that demolished Italy 4-0 in the final. That was a performance comparable to Brazil’s 4-1 trouncing of the Italians in the 1970 FIFA World Cup final.

France 1984

While other French teams have won the FIFA World Cup, the 1984 team was one of their best. This team included the playmaker Platini, who dominated the championship, scoring a record nine goals in five games. With Michel Platini and other stars of the 1982 World Cup team that reached the semi-finals, France marched on to European Championship glory. A 2-0 win against Spain in the final ensured victory for France. It was the first time France had won the European Championship.

Holland 1988

Before 1988, Holland had never won one of the big soccer trophies. Two World Cup finals during the era of Total Football were the closest the Netherlands had come. Their 1988 team was one of their most exciting since the 1970s, and included the majestic Van Basten, who was perhaps the best striker in the game at that time. The team also included players such as Ruud Gullit and Frank Rijkaard, who starred for the great AC Milan sides of the period.

With such talent, the Dutch had a great team, and their 3-1 victory against one of the European Championship favorites, England, provided the momentum for Holland to go all the way. Van Basten was in top form, and in the semi-finals, West Germany was defeated with a late goal from him. In the final, Holland played the USSR, and a fantastic volley from Van Basten ensured a 2-0 win for Holland.

End Of My UEFA European Rant

These were four great teams of the European Championships. Holland, Spain (twice), and France were teams that had great players such as Platini, Villa, Van Basten, Gullit, Torres, and Xavi who lifted the trophy. They played some of the best soccer seen in the European Championships.

This article first appeared on Stadium Rant and was syndicated with permission.

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