European Championship
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European Championship
A sports competition in which the best national teams or individual athletes in Europe compete against each other in a particular sport to determine the European champion. Most often, it refers to the men's European Football Championship.
Die nächste Fußball-Europameisterschaft findet in Deutschland statt.
The next European Football Championship will take place in Germany.
The word is made up of 'Europa' (Europe) and 'Meisterschaft' (championship). A 'Meisterschaft' is a competition to find the best person or team, the 'Meister' (champion).
Die Leichtathletik-Europameisterschaft findet alle zwei Jahre statt.
The European Athletics Championship takes place every two years.
In everyday language and in the media, the abbreviation 'die EM' is almost always used. The full name sounds more formal.
Schauen wir heute Abend zusammen die EM?
Shall we watch the Euros together tonight?
If the sport is not mentioned, the European Football Championship is usually meant. Typical verbs are 'an der EM teilnehmen' (to take part in the European Championship), 'die EM gewinnen' (to win the European Championship), or 'sich für die EM qualifizieren' (to qualify for the European Championship).
Italien hat die letzte Europameisterschaft im Fußball gewonnen.
Italy won the last European Football Championship.
tournament
'das Turnier' and 'die Europameisterschaft' both belong to the area of sports and competition. 'Turnier' is a general word for a competition with several participants or teams. 'Europameisterschaft' is much more specific: it refers to a competition in Europe that determines the European champion in a sport. Often, people use it especially to mean the European Football Championship. The words can be confusing because a European Championship is often organized like a tournament. But not every tournament is a European Championship. For small or local competitions, you say 'Turnier'; for the major European competition, you say 'Europameisterschaft'.
Während der Europameisterschaft schauen viele Fans die Spiele gemeinsam im Park.
During the European Championship, many fans watch the games together in the park.
Im Verein beginnt morgen ein kleines Turnier für Kinder und Jugendliche.
A small tournament for children and teenagers starts at the club tomorrow.