Best Euros team: top performing teams at UEFA European Championships - from most appearances to most trophies

France, Spain, Germany, Italy, England and reigning champions Portugal are all among the favourites to win Euro 2020
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When it comes to the big games and the big championships, there's nothing quite like experience to fall back on when the going gets tough.

It's the reason why the likes of France, Spain, Germany and Italy are often among the pre-tournament favourites, with all four picked to do well at Euro 2020.

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It's no guarantee for success - and football history is filled with shock defeats and upsets - but some teams tend to be there or thereabouts in the latter rounds of tournaments.

Cristiano Ronaldo lifts the Euros trophy after Portugal beat France at the 2016 tournament. (Pic: Getty)Cristiano Ronaldo lifts the Euros trophy after Portugal beat France at the 2016 tournament. (Pic: Getty)
Cristiano Ronaldo lifts the Euros trophy after Portugal beat France at the 2016 tournament. (Pic: Getty)

Here we have a look at the nations who have participated at the most European Championships in the last 60 years, accrued the highest number of points and won the most titles.

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These are the top performing sides at the Euros, according to pre-Euro 2020 data from UEFA.

Who is the top performing Euros team?

The venues that will host this summer's European Championships. (Graphic: Mark Hall / JPIMedia)The venues that will host this summer's European Championships. (Graphic: Mark Hall / JPIMedia)
The venues that will host this summer's European Championships. (Graphic: Mark Hall / JPIMedia)

It will come as little surprise to avid Euros followers to learn that Germany tops the charts in several key indicators.

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They lead the way when it comes to the most tournaments participated in (12), the most games played (49), most games won (26) and the most goals scored (72).

Germany hold the record for the highest number of points accrued at the tournament (64), with two points awarded for a win and one for a draw in accordance with UEFA standard procedure.

And, no other country has won the Euros more times than Germany (3).

They won the tournament in 1972 and 1980 when competing as West Germany and in 1996 as Germany - and who would write them off from adding a fourth to that collection this summer?

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Germany hold the honour of most Euros won alongside Spain who lifted the Euros trophy on home soil in 1964 and at back-to-back tournaments in 2008 and 2012 from their 10 Euro outings.

France have won it twice in 1984 and 2000, with Russia (Soviet Union, 1960), Italy (1968), Czech Republic (1976), Portugal (2016), Netherlands (1988), Denmark (1992) and Greece (2004) all winning the competition once.

Will it ever come home for England?

England are one of five nations who have made 9 appearances at the Euros alongside France, Italy, Netherlands and the Czech Republic.

Gareth Southgate will carry a nation's hopes of landing a first Euros trophy on his shoulders this summer, as he plots the Three Lions' path at a 10th European Championship.

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England's numbers include 10 wins from 31 games (11 draws, 10 defeats), 40 goals scored and 35 conceded on their way to amassing 31 tournament points.

They sit eighth in the overall standings and the highest ranked UK nation ahead of Wales (19th), Scotland (25th) and Northern Ireland (29th) from the 34 countries to compete at the Euros.

How have Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland performed at the Euros?

Wales impressed at their one and only previous appearance at the Euros in 2016, making it through to the semi finals before losing to eventual winners Portugal.

Scotland have won just two group matches from their two tournament showings in 1992 and 1996 and will be hoping to fare better at the third attempt at Euro 2020.

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Northern Ireland were drawn in a tough group in their only appearance at the Euros in 2016, suffering defeat at the hands of Germany and Poland but winning against Ukraine to advance to the last 16 where they were beaten by Wales.

This summer’s Euro 2020 tournament will see England, Scotland and Wales attempt to improve on their records when the competition kicks off on 11 June.

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