Women’s European Championship: All-Time Winners & Runners-Up

Women’s European Championship history is a mirror of the rapid rise of women’s football across the continent. From Sweden’s penalty-shoot-out heroics in 1984 to England’s extra-time triumph at Wembley in 2022, the tournament has grown from a fledgling four-team event into a global showcase watched by millions. Below, we retrace every final, celebrate the champions, and spotlight the nations still chasing their first crown.

The Women’s European Championship timeline

When UEFA launched the competition in the mid-1980s, crowds were modest and media coverage minimal. Yet the quality on display quickly attracted attention. Six nations have lifted the trophy, while several others have pushed the giants to the limit.

1984–1993: Pioneers and early power shifts

• 1984: Sweden edged England on penalties after a two-legged final played in Gothenburg and Luton.
• 1987: Host Norway claimed revenge on Sweden to seize their first title.
• 1989: West Germany began their dynasty by beating Norway in Osnabrück.
• 1991: Germany retained the crown in Aalborg, again over Norway.
• 1993: Norway regained supremacy, overcoming hosts Italy in Cesena.

1995–2013: Germany’s golden era

Starting in 1995, Germany won six straight titles, a record run that may never be matched. Stars such as Birgit Prinz, Bettina Wiegmann and Nadine Angerer became household names while lifting the profile of the women’s game. Finals in Oslo, Oslo/Ullevi, Ulm, Blackburn, Helsinki and Solna all ended the same way: Germany on the podium, opponents applauding begrudgingly.

2017: Dutch delight at home

The Netherlands, roaring on orange-clad home crowds, stunned Denmark 4-2 in Enschede. Vivianne Miedema’s brace signalled a generational shift and inspired thousands of girls to pick up a ball.

2022: Lionesses roar at Wembley

After near-misses in 1984 and 2009, England produced a story-book ending against Germany in front of a record 87,192 fans. Chloe Kelly’s extra-time toe-poke, immortalised in photos of a euphoric shirt-swinging celebration, delivered the Lionesses’ first major trophy.

Complete list of Women’s European Championship winners

1984 – Sweden (v England)
1987 – Norway (v Sweden)
1989 – West Germany (v Norway)
1991 – Germany (v Norway)
1993 – Norway (v Italy)
1995 – Germany (v Sweden)
1997 – Germany (v Italy)
2001 – Germany (v Sweden)
2005 – Germany (v Norway)
2009 – Germany (v England)
2013 – Germany (v Norway)
2017 – Netherlands (v Denmark)
2022 – England (v Germany)

Who has won the Women’s European Championship the most?

Germany’s eight titles dwarf every rival tally. Their blend of tactical discipline, robust youth pathways and domestic investment through the Frauen-Bundesliga created a production line of talent. Even during rebuilding phases, the Mannschaft find a way to peak for tournament football.

Title table

Germany – 8 (1989, 1991, 1995, 1997, 2001, 2005, 2009, 2013)
Norway – 2 (1987, 1993)
Sweden – 1 (1984)
Netherlands – 1 (2017)
England – 1 (2022)

How the tournament changed European football

The Women’s European Championship has driven investment in grassroots programmes, broadcasting and professional leagues. Record attendances in England 2022 (average 18,544) showed commercial appetite, while UEFA’s equal-pay milestones underline shifting attitudes within governing bodies.

Runners-up who shaped the story

Italy’s technical flair in the 1990s, Denmark’s fearless high press in 2017 and Sweden’s consistent excellence despite narrow misses all pushed the standards higher. Every near-miss laid the foundation for future breakthroughs, as England’s long wait demonstrated.

What comes next? Euro 2025 in Switzerland

Qualifying is underway and the talent pool is deeper than ever. Spain’s World Cup-winning generation aims to add continental silverware, while France seek a first major title under Hervé Renard. Germany are rebuilding, Norway have Ada Hegerberg fit again, and England’s Lionesses want to prove 2022 was no one-off.

Opinion: A golden era just beginning

With television deals booming and club academies flourishing, the Women’s European Championship could soon rival its men’s counterpart for prestige. Germany’s eight trophies may stand for decades, yet the competitive gap is narrowing yearly. The 2025 edition promises upsets, last-minute drama and another leap forward for the women’s game.