On June 7, 2008 (May 4, 2008 lunar calendar), the 13th European Football Championship was held in Switzerland and Austria. The 13th European Football Championship was held in Austria and Switzerland from June 7 to 29, 2008. This is the second time after the 2000 European Nations Cup that the two countries jointly hosted the event. A total of 16 European national football teams participated in the final week event. Except for the host country Austria and Switzerland, the other teams must compete for 14 places in the final week through qualifiers. The qualifiers ended in November 2007. The teams that advanced to the final week included defending Greece, as well as traditional football powers Italy, Germany, France and the Netherlands. The United Kingdom, which has always been an established country in Europe, has missed all four teams including England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, which is quite special in the main football international competitions. The winner of the 2008 UEFA Nations Cup will represent Europe in the 2009 Intercontinental Nations Cup in South Africa.