As the 2008 edition of the European Championships gets underway, we take a look at the history of the event, which has come to be defined as the biggest after the World Cup.

Rivalries of old are once again set to be ignited, as newer stars look to fill in the shoes of some of the all-time greats of Europe. The continent is once again set to entertain the world and prove why the biggest and the best come from Europe.

France 1960: A total of 17 teams participated in this tournament and the USSR were crowned the champions of the 1960 UEFA European Nations Cup. The teams played home-and-away matches, and thereafter, the final four teams moved on to the final tournament, whose host was selected after the teams became known. A total of four matches were played in the final tournament, which yielded 19 goals.

Spain 1964: The next edition of the UEFA European Nations Cup featured 29 teams, although Greece withdrew after being drawn with Albania. The teams played home-and-away matches, and thereafter, the final four teams moved on to the final tournament, whose host was selected after the teams became known. The title was clinched by Spain as they edged Hungary 2-1 in the finals. In all four games were played in the final tournament and a total of 13 goals were scored.

Italy 1968: During this time, the tournament’s name was changed European Nations Cup to European Championship, and the two-legged home-and-away knock-out stage being replaced by a group phase. However, still only four countries could play the final tournament, i.e., there would be the semi-finals, the final and the third place match. The hosts were only announced after the qualifying round. Italy hosted and won the tournament, while Dragan Džajić (2 goals) from Yugoslavia becoming the leading goal scorer. A total of five goals were scored in the tournament.

Belgium 1972: The 1972 European Football Championship was endorsed by UEFA, and followed the same format as the 1968 event. While Belgium was the host, West Germany won the title. Gerd Müller (4 goals) was the leading scorer in the tournament, which featured a total of 10 goals.

Yugoslavia 1976: This edition of the European Football Championship continued on similar lines as the earlier two. The four matches in the final tournament were a goal-fest, featuring 19 goals in all. Dieter Müller (4 goals) from West Germany emerged as the leading goal-scorer, but the title was eventually clinched by Czechoslovakia.

Italy 1980: This was the first event where the hosts didn’t have to qualify for the final tournament and the total number of teams was increased to 8. The new rules meant that two groups of four teams were created, with each team playing all others within their group. The winners of the groups would go straight to the final, while the runners-up disputed the third place match. Klaus Allofs was the leading goal scorer, ensuring that West Germany registered a memorable title victory. The 14 matches in the tournament yielded 29 goals in all.

France 1984: This tournament followed the same rules and pattern as the one in Italy four years ago. Michel Platini of France scored nine goals to bag the highest scorer tag, while France lifted the coveted trophy. A total of 41 goals were scored in the 15 matches that were played during the event.

West Germany 1988: In one of the most exciting tournament, which continued on the lines of the previous two, the defending champions France failed to qualify. The Netherlands, led by Marco van Basten – tournament’s highest goal scorer (5 goals) - lifted the trophy for the first time. They event also saw some other firsts, i.e., of a major football tournament being completed without a single player being sent off and none of the knockout matches went into extra time or penalties.

Sweden 1992: The rules continued to be the same, but there were twists that reflected the changing global scenario. The USSR quhad alified for the finals just before its break-up, and after the collapse of the Soviet Union, the team took part under the banner of the CIS - before the former Soviet republics formed their own national teams after the competition. In a strange twist of events, Yugoslavia qualified for the final stage but was disqualified due to the Yugoslav wars, and their qualifying group's runner-up Denmark took part in the championship. The Danes then scripted a fairytale finish as they beat champions Germany to clinch the title. The tournament’s 15 matches saw 32 goals, with Henrik Larsen emerging as their hero

England 1996: This was the first European Championship to introduce the current format of 16 countries competing in the final tournament and had more than the usual buzz of the previous events with it being held in England, the game’s birthplace. The 31 matches saw 64 goals and a massive attendance record of 1,276,000 people. Eventually, the Germans reclaimed the title for the third time, beating the Czech Republic in the finals. Germany’s Jürgen Klinsmann was adjudged the best player of the tournament, although England’s Alan Shearer was the leading scorer with 5 goals.

Belgium/Netherlands 2000: The 2000 edition was co-hosted for the first time by Belgium and the Netherlands. On a historic high after winning the FIFA World Cup in 1998, France conquered Europe defeating Italy 2-1 in the final after a golden goal by David Trézéguet. Magical midfielder Zinedine Zidane was adjudged the best player of the tournament. The 31 matches saw 85 goals and a massive attendance of 1,122,833 people. Top scorers were Netherland's Patrick Kluivert and Yugoslavia's Savo Milošević, with 5 goals each.

Portugal 2004: Euro 2004 was unique as for the first time, the final featured the same teams as the opening match, with the hosts Portugal losing both of them to Greece. The tournament was a rags to riches story as an unknown Greek side attained a remarkable win. Greek skipper Theodoros Zagorakis was adjudged the best player of the tournament. The 31 matches saw 77 goals and a massive attendance of 1,156,473 people. Top scorers were Czech Republic's Milan Baroš with 5 goals.