How many times has England won the Euro?

For decades, optimistic English fans have firmly believed that football, come international competition, will return home.

The term did not become popular until the mid-90s, when England, back then, endured “30 years of injury”. That pain has continued, and hope has killed many times.

There have been dark and dark days, but the Three Lions have, for the most part, been blessed with a team capable of winning – let alone competing – for the sport's most lucrative honours. However, the absence of silverware means that the heroes of '66 continue to be revered as the sole purveyors of English success in the top flight.

England's first entry into the European Championships came two years after Sir Bobby Moore lifted Jules Rimet, and it's been a false dawn since.

Here is a guide to the history of the Euro in England.

In case you haven't rated the answer yet, we'll clarify: No.

England came agonizingly close to becoming European champions, but threw away their best chance so far on home soil at the delayed Euro 2020 – which took place next year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Three Lions played most of their games at Wembley, beating an old foe along the way, and went 1-0 up against Italy in the final before losing on penalties.

The heartbreak of a penalty denied England amid the excitement of Euro 96, losing to Germany from 12 yards in the semi-final.

They finished third again in 1968, although only four teams competed. Sir Alf Ramsey's world champions lost to Yugoslavia before defeating the Soviet Union in the third place play-off.

England's first Euro came eight years after the tournament's first iteration in 1960. Sir Alf's World Cup hosts were one of four teams to compete in the European Championship in 1968, but failed to add to the European title as they were. beaten in the semi-finals by Yugoslavia.

Goals from Sir Bobby Charlton and Sir Geoff Hurst meant they at least finished third at the expense of the Soviet Union.

The tournament has come a long way since its old but innocent days, when the eventual champions in 1968, in Italy, advanced to the finals on the flip of a coin. They defeated Yugoslavia in the final after the match.

England would not return to the Euros until 1980, enduring poor competition in Italy as they failed to qualify. Early exits followed in Euro 88 and 92 with English fans having far more influence off the pitch than the players had on it.

So, the expectations were strangely strange as we headed into Euro 96 held on English shores. However, it did not take long for the nation to be swept up in Euros fever. The competition itself was fierce and England were hot and cold, but Paul Gascoigne's incredible goal against Scotland and the Three Lions' brilliant 4-1 win over the Dutch have been forever etched in English football's lore.

A cathartic penalty shoot-out win over Spain meant they progressed to the semi-finals against Germany, but England endured a familiar end as they lost to the Germans on penalties. A final was to follow which was won by an overmatched Czech Republic team.

Euro 2000 was difficult, but 18-year-old Wayne Rooney revived the nation four years later in Portugal. Many said this star-studded England side, inspired by fearless youth, was the best for generations, yet they were beaten by the hosts, again on penalties, in the quarter-finals after Rooney limped off injured 30 minutes into the game.

It was Italy's turn to beat a good England side in the last eight on penalties at Euro 2012 before Iceland pulled off the biggest upset in modern football history at Euro 2016. The Three Lions were stunned in the last 16 by a minority team. nation, although Gareth Southgate has since overseen the rise of a group of highly talented players.

Southgate's England reached the quarter-finals and semi-finals of the World Cup; lost to Italy in the final of Euro 2020 in

Many appearances

High scores

Although they lost their last game heading into the Euros for the first time since 1968, England still have high hopes for Euro 2024.

They are drawn in a must-win group, and their path through the knockout stages, if they top Group C, is not too difficult until the semi-finals, where France may await.

The attacking talent of the Three Lions is high, although Southgate's side have changed a lot in previous competitions. There are questions about the partners of Declan Rice and John Stones, and the fitness of Luke Shaw, who is a key part of Southgate's England, at left back. Defensive strength has laid the foundations for their recent success in major competitions and it will be interesting to see how the new-look back line fares in Germany this summer.

Once again, England are considered one of the favourites, but whether or not they break their duck remains to be seen.

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