The 2008 UEFA European Football Championship, commonly referred to as Euro 2008, will take place in Austria and Switzerland, from 7 June to 29 June 2008. It is the second successful joint bid in the competition's history, alongside the 2000 European Football Championship, hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands. Austria and Switzerland will automatically qualify as hosts. The remaining 14 teams will be determined in a qualifying tournament that started in August 2006.

The draw for the UEFA EURO 2008â„¢ qualifying round took place in Montreux, Switzerland on 27 January 2006 at 12:00 CET.

The qualifying process commenced a month after the 2006 World Cup. Austria and Switzerland have already qualified for the tournament finals as host nations.

The Qualifying Format has been changed compared to previous tournaments. The winners and runners-up from seven groups will automatically qualify for the Championship, with the hosts filling the other two slots in the 16-team tournament. The change means there will be no play-offs between teams finishing in second place in the groups. Six of the qualifying groups will contain seven teams, and the other eight.

Latest news from uefa.com - UEFA EURO 2008?

Aragonés basks in elixir of youth Luis Aragonés led Spain to their first major trophy in 44 years this year when they swept all before them at UEFA EURO 2008?, but as he told uefa.com, it was his players' approach to their task that pleased him most. Aragonés gets it right for overdue win The talent was arguably always there for Spain to lift a major trophy but certain key differences meant Luis Aragonés's shimmering squad took the EURO by storm. 'World's best' bring Madrid to standstill Spain's UEFA EURO 2008? winners received a heroes' welcome from tens of thousands of supporters as they brought the Henri Delaunay cup back home to Madrid. Berlin welcome picks up fallen heroes UEFA EURO 2008? runners-up Germany were welcomed home by more than 300,000 supporters at a colourful ceremony at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin. Xavi emerges as EURO's top man Spain midfielder Xavi Hernández has been named as the Castrol Player of the Tournament for UEFA EURO 2008? after his stirring displays in the Alpine nations. Spain dominate Team of the Tournament The UEFA Technical Team has named its UEFA EURO 2008? Team of the Tournament, with no fewer than nine Spanish players being selected for the final 23. UEFA praises the friendly finals UEFA has reiterated its satisfaction that UEFA EURO 2008? has been such a positive tournament on and off the field with the success of the Respect campaign. What Europe's papers said Olés rang out across Europe as the UEFA European Championship win by Spain met with universal acclaim among the sports editors of the other finalist nations. The return of the Turniermannschaft The pre-tournament favourites, Germany did indeed reach the UEFA EURO 2008? final, but did so in a style more redolent of past pomp than recent achievement. Roxburgh runs rule over Spanish success UEFA technical director Andy Roxburgh feels years of superb work at youth level paid off for Spain as they triumphed in Sunday night's UEFA EURO 2008? final. 'Spain triumphed but football the winner' Monday's Spanish newspapers included headlines such as "Spain conquers Europe" while Germany took defeat with grace as euro2008.com surveys the reaction. Spain slumbers after a wild night Spain woke up with a UEFA EURO 2008?-sized hangover on Monday after wild celebrations accompanied the national team's first trophy success in 44 years. The A-Z of UEFA EURO 2008? There was much to admire over a glorious month of football at UEFA EURO 2008? in Austria and Switzerland: from Arshavin to Zidane via kidney transplants, sensational Turkish comebacks and naked walks in the park. Goodnight Vienna Mayor Michael Häupl bade a fond farewell to UEFA EURO 2008?, saying: "Vienna celebrated King Football and put on a peaceful and glorious festival of sport." UEFA EURO 2008? in quotes UEFA EURO 2008? was not just an entertaining spectacle on the pitch. The players and coaches involved in Austria and Switzerland also provided some colourful reaction in between games and here are some highlights. Praise for EURO volunteers The 5,000 volunteers who made a crucial contribution to the success of UEFA EURO 2008? have received resounding praise as the "smiling face" of the tournament. EURO achieves green aim UEFA EURO 2008? was an environmentally friendly tournament according to Austrian chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer and Swiss federal chancellor Samuel Schmid. Vote for goal of the tournament Germany, Netherlands, Portugal, Russia, Sweden and Turkey provide the eight contenders as Carslberg Goal of the Day becomes goal of the tournament. Vote now. Torres ends Spain's long wait for glory Germany 0-1 Spain A first-half strike from Fernando Torres earned Spain a first UEFA European Championship crown in 44 years. Casillas and Villa savour just deserts Spain's goalkeeper captain and leading goalscorer chorused their approval after UEFA EURO 2008? had a worthy title-winner in Luis Aragonés's stylish selection.