The UEFA European Championship (known informally as the Euros) is the primary association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), determining the continental champion of Europe. Held every four years since 1960, in the even-numbered year between World Cup tournaments, it was originally called the UEFA European Nations' Cup, changing to the current name in 1968. Starting with the 1996 tournament, specific championships are often referred to in the form "UEFA Euro [year]"; this format has since been retroactively applied to earlier tournaments. 

Prior to entering the tournament all teams other than the host nations (which qualify automatically) compete in a qualifying process. The championship winners earn the opportunity to compete in the following FIFA Confederations Cup, but are not obliged to do so. 

The 15 European Championship tournaments have been won by ten different national teams: Germany and Spain each have won three titles, France has two titles, and Soviet Union, Italy, Czechoslovakia, Netherlands, Denmark, Greece and Portugal have won one title each. To date, Spain is the only team in history to have won consecutive titles, doing so in 2008 and 2012. It is the second most watched football tournament in the world after the FIFA World Cup. The Euro 2012 final was watched by a global audience of around 300 million.
Does every single team have to fight to qualify?
Who doesn't?
Why not?
What is the event called?
Does it have a less formal name?
What can they do if they win?
Is that mandatory?
What sport is this?
What continent is it for?
Is it every year?
How often then?
When did it begin?
What did it used to be named?
When did it become a different name?
What began in 1996?
How many separate groups have been victorious in it?
Who has had the most victories?
Did anyone ever have victory twice in a row?
Who?
How many people saw it in 2012?
no
Prior to entering the tournament all teams other than the host nations (which qualify automatically)
the host nation
 the host nations (which qualify automatically)
because they qualify automatically
he host nations (which qualify automatically)
The UEFA European Championship
The UEFA European Championship
the Euros
(known informally as the Euros
compete in the FIFA Confederations Cup
The championship winners earn the opportunity to compete in the following FIFA Confederations Cup
no
but are not obliged to do so
football
the primary association football competition
Europe
The UEFA European Championship 
no
Held every four years 
every four years
every four years
1960
 since 1960
the UEFA European Nations' Cup
originally called the UEFA European Nations' Cup
1968
changing to the current name in 1968
championships are often referred to in the form "UEFA Euro [year]
Starting with the 1996 tournament, specific championships are often referred to in the form "UEFA Euro [year]"
ten
The 15 European Championship tournaments have been won by ten different national teams
Germany and Spain
Germany and Spain each have won three titles
yes
Spain is the only team in history to have won consecutive titles
Spain
Spain is the only team in history to have won consecutive titles
around 300 million
The Euro 2012 final was watched by a global audience of around 300 million