UEFA Euro 2012 two consecutive European Championships, and also three straight major tournaments (Euro 2008, 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012). Spain had already gained entry to the 2013 Confederations Cup by winning the 2010 World Cup, so runners-up Italy qualified instead. As at Euro 2008 in Austria and Switzerland, both 2012 host nations were eliminated in the group stage. The hosting of the event was initially contested by five bids representing seven countries: Croatia–Hungary, Greece, Italy, Poland–Ukraine, and Turkey. In November 2005, after an initial consideration of the bid data by UEFA, both the Greek and Turkish bids were eliminated from the
2014 AFL finals series both reached the preliminary finals after finishing outside the top four, and top-four finishers and were eliminated at the semi finals stage. and lost their respective elimination finals. Reigning premiers appeared in their fifth straight finals appearance, finishing second on the ladder. In the previous year's final series, Hawthorn defeated in the Grand Final to claim their 11th premiership. also qualified for their fifth straight finals appearance after becoming minor premiers of the 2014 season. qualified third, appearing in their eighth straight finals series. Fremantle finished fourth, appearing in their third straight finals, after defeating in the final round of