The Federal Republic of Germany hosted the 1988 tournament, played under the same format as in 1984. At the time, only eight countries could dispute the final tournament. Seven countries had to qualify for the final stage. West Germany qualified automatically as hosts of the event. The holders, France, failed to qualify.

Holland finally won the Euro 1988 title by beating the Soviet Union 2-0 in the final after a fantastic Marco Van Basten volley and Ruud Gullit's header.