Finland won its third team title in the men's points classification with 161 points and dethroned Sweden in the women's team competition with a total of 77 points. Iceland took part in the men's competition only and had its first and only champion at this edition – in the decathlon. Among the athletes in attendance were 1962 European Athletics Championships medalists Stig Pettersson, and Pentti Eskola.[1]
Berit Berthelsen of Norway was the athlete of the tournament, taking a sweep of the women's sprints from 100 metres to 400 metres as well as the long jump. Finland's won the shot put and discus throw events. No man won an individual double at this edition. Nina Hansen won the women's pentathlon, making her the only athlete in the competition's history to win three straight titles in an event. Carl Fredrik Bunæs (twice 100 m champion) returned to win a third title, this time in 400 m. Athletes to defend their 1963 titles included Bengt Persson (steeplechase) and Bjørn Bang Andersen (shot put).