This year’s summer break was filled with a handful of spectacular sporting events for everyone to watch: the Paris Olympics, Wimbledon, Copa America, and the Euros. Although there are a lot of soccer fans at our school, many others may be wondering: What are the Euros?

This year’s Euros were held in Germany. The tournament’s kick-off was on June 14th, and the final was played on July 14th. If you were keeping up with the World Cup back in the winter of 2022, the Euros may have been something you would have enjoyed watching this summer and could be something on your radar for the next time this championship is held. The only issue being that the next Euro is in 2028. The championship follows the same format as the World Cup, consisting of a group stage, round of 16, quarterfinals, semi-finals, and eventually the final. The only difference being, as the title implies, this championship is exclusive to one continent – Europe.

Prior to the tournament beginning, there was a lot of attention directed towards it on social media. Videos of fans in many different jerseys celebrating and partying together, to celebrate the start of what is one of the most important sporting events in the sport, a sport very well-respected and present in the region, and on the continent in general. However, even if you were not in Europe, it is very possible that you had seen something in regard to the tournament at some point, as it stars some of the big names in sports that many recognize.

In the end, Spain was victorious and came home with a trophy to celebrate with all the fans waiting for their return. The celebrations in Spain lasted for days after the tournament ended, and it remains to be a topic of discussion to this day, regardless of the fact the tournament ended in the middle of July.

Regardless of the winner of the tournament, there was some sort of gain for every person who watched the event. The joy and unity the Euros brought to people of all different countries is something rare to find in anything else, and it is one of the great joys of sports. If the Euros were not something you paid much mind to this summer, I highly recommend giving it a try in 2028.