UEFA EURO - Competition Overview

The UEFA EURO, previously known as the European Championship or Euro Cup, started in 1960 by UEFA to determine the best national team in Europe. The tournament is held every four years, alternating every two with the FIFA World Cup, and is hosted by a different member nation. There are 52 teams in Europe that play to qualify for the final 16 positions in group play.

European Championship History

After Pierre De Coubertin (Olympic Games), Jules Rimet (World Cup) and Gabriel Hanot (Champions Cup), during the 50s another French man is the inventor of a sport event: the competition is the European Championship for national team, the man is Henri Delaunay, first secretary of the newcomer UEFA. Unfortunately, many countries opposed the project, and Delaunay died before it could be finalized. Anyway, his son Pierre carried on the idea, and in 1958 a commission presented a first edition during the period 1958-1960, with a format including only knockout games: first a qualifying round and a last 16 round with two legs matches, and a final round in a specific venue. The plan was voted down by Germany, England, Scotland, Switzerland, Belgium, Netherlands. Also Italy decided not to take part to the Championship, at the end just 17 of 33 teams joined the tournament. As the number was reduced, it took just a two legs match between Czechoslovakia and Eire to have 16 teams. Eire won 2-0 at Dalymount Park in Dublin, but Czechoslovakia in the second leg had a penalty after 4 minutes, then at the end they defeated the Irish 4-0, qualifying to the Last 16 round.

France 1960

Soviet Union are the first winners. Politics override football.

Despite it was a Last 16 round game, first game ever in the history of the European Championship was a game with a lot of political implications: USSR hosted Hungary, while just two years before the Soviet tanks invaded Budapest. At Luzhniki Stadium, on September 28, 1958 in front of 100,000 viewers, the Russian won 3-1. Hungary wasn’t the team that reached the final of the World Cup 1954 anymore. The Soviet Union team won also at Nèpstadion in the second leg match, 1-0 with a goal scored by Voinov. Also Romania, Czechoslovakia, France (8-2 in the aggregate to Greece), Austria, Portugal, Yugoslavia and Spain qualified to the quarter finals. The Spanish especially had a really great team, with Alfredo Di Stefano, Laszlo Kubala, Luis Suarez. Unfortunately, Spain couldn’t go on, as they should have played against Soviet Union, but general Francisco Franco forced the Spanish federation to withdraw and the Soviets had a walkover. In the quarterfinals, the French beat Austria: at Colombes Stadium, a hattrick of Just Fontaine (top scorer at the World Cup 1958), and two goals scored by Jean Vincent. At Prater Stadium, France won 4-2, so they could host the final round in Marseille and Paris, between July 6 and July 10. With Les Bleus, three national teams from communist countries, in a Cold War period: Soviet Union, but also Yugoslvia (6-3 on aggregate over Portugal) and Czechoslovakia (5-0 over Romania).

At Parc des Prince in Paris, France and Yugoslavia played a crazy game: on 62 minutes France lead 4-2, when Yugoslavia scored 3 goals in 4 minutes (Knez on 75minutes, the Dinamo Zagreb striker Jerkovic on 77 and 78). In Marseille, the Soviets won easily, 3-0 with two goals scored by Ivanov. While France, frustrated after the defeat in the semi final, lost 2-0 with Czechoslovakia in the third place game. On July 10, at Parc des Princes, Yugoslavia played better but they didn’t score because of the great saves by the “Black Spider” Lev Yashin. On 43 minutes Galic scored: Yugoslavia 1, Soviet Union 0 at half time. Suddenly, in the second half the Soviet drew with Metreveli after some rebounds, then a header by Ponedelnik during the extra time gave the trophy to the Soviets. USSR were booed in Paris in spite of a very low attendance, just 18,000 viewers for the final game.

USSR: Yashin, Tchekeli, Maslenkin, Kroutikov, Voinov, Netto, Metreveli, V.Ivanov, Ponedelnik, Bubukin, Meskhi.

Spain 1964

Marcelino scored for the dictator.

The number of team was growing, 28 of them took part to the 1962-64 edition. West Germany gave up: their coach Sepp Herdberger thought that the team had to play only the World Cup and incredibly the German federation decided to follow their coach. The format is still the same: 13 knockout games in two legs for the first round, Austria, Luxembourg and Soviet Union had a bye. Also Albania went through after Greece withdrawal. England-France was the most important game of the first round: 1-1 in Sheffield, 5-2 for the French in the second leg, with two goals each for Wisnieski and Cossou. Also Spain, Northern Ireland, EIRE, Bulgaria (after a pay-off in Rome against Portugal of the star Eusebio), East Germany, Hungary, Denmark, Netherlands, Sweden, Yugoslavia and Italy. Last 16 of the edition are played between May and November 1963, the big surprise was at Rotterdam De Kuip stadium, on October 30: Luxemburg defeated the Dutch with two goals of Camille Dimmer after 20 and 67 minutes, sandwiching Piet Kruiver's 31st-minute goal for the Netherlands. The USSR champions beat Italy 2-0 with goals scored by Ponedelnik and Chislenko, with the Italian Pascutti sent off. In Rome, Mazzola missed a penalty, so the Soviets took the lead and Rivera drew just to defend their honour. Also Spain (over Northern Ireland with a decisive goal by Gento), France, EIRE, Hungary, Denmark, and Sweden acceded to quarter finals. The dream of Luxembourg ended at the play-off, played in Amsterdam, when Denmark won with a goal by Ole Madsen, top scorer of the tournament. Spain (7-1 on aggregate on EIRE), Hungary and USSR are the other qualified teams. Final round in Spain, in Madrid and Barcelona. Spain suffers against Hungary, Pereda scored assisted by Suarez, then Nagy drew on 85 minutes. The Spanish keeper Iribar saved everything, then Amancio scored the 2-1 goal. The final was Spain-USSR, the Soviets defeated Denmark 3-0 in the semifinal, and this time nobody withdrew. At Bernabeu more than 100,000 viewers, with the dictator Francisco Franco on the stands, Pereda scored again after a pass by Suarez. Two minutes later, Schussanov drew, but 6 minutes before the end on a cross from the right side, the header by Marcelino beat the “Black Spider” Yashin. The cup went to the Spanish, for the newspaper was also Franco’s win.

Spain: Iribar, Rivilla, Olivella, Calleja, Zoco, Fusté, Amancio, Pereda, Marcelino, Suárez, Lapetra.

Italy 1968

For the Azzurri it takes two finals to lift up the trophy.

This third edition made Delaunay’s dream come true: 31 are the participating teams. For the first time we had 8 groups, while the two-legged knockout matches started from the quarter finals. Group 1 was won by Spain when the Red Fury though it was impossible, but Czechoslovakia lost at home against Ireland in the last game. It was quite easy for the unbeaten Bulgaria and for the USSR, hey both won their group with 10 points of 12 available. The debut was really bad for West Germany, the draw in Tirana was decisive, and Yugoslavia unexpectedly got through. Hungary won group 5 over East Germany, Italy had an easy group and just lost 1 point in Switzerland. France lead group 7 until the end, while England won Group 8, valid also as British Home Championship. Quarterfinals were not easy for Italy, against Bulgaria. Asparuchov is one of the best strikers of the year, while Italian star Gigi Riva is injured and his place is taken by Prati. The AC Milan forward scored an important goal in Sofia (3-2 for the Bulgarians), than in Naples Italy won 2-0 (Prati again and Domenghini) and got through the semifinals. The World Champions of England beat Spain in London, 1-0 (Bobby Charlton) and also in Madrid, 2-1. Yugoslavia annihilated the French team (5-1in Belgrade), USSR lost 2-0 in Hungary but in the second leg game Banishevsky, Khurtsilava and Byshovets qualified them to the final tournament in Italy. For the first time, venues were three: Rome, Florence and Naples. Italy had a difficult game against USSR, the Azzurri’s bug bear. Riva was still injured and cannot play, Rivera and Bercellino got injured during the match, but the old Soviet team suffers, Domenghini hit a goal post at the end of the second overtime. Italy won on coin toss, for the final they had Yugoslavia, 1-0 to the English. The final game is at Stadio Olimpico in Rome: on 22minutes, youngster Dragan Dzajic scored, Domenghini drew 10 minutes before the end. The score was the same at the end of the overtime, so there was the replay, two days after. Coach Valcareggi completely changed the formation, Riva could play and scored on 11 minutes. The 2-0 goal was scored by Anastasi, so when Spanish referee Ortiz de Mendibil whistled and the game was over, the whole Italy was celebrating this win at the European Championship.

Italy: Zoff, Burgnich, Facchetti, Salvadore, Guarneri, Rosato, Domenghini, Mazzola, Anastasi, De Sisti, Riva.

Belgium 1972

The first win for Germany.

The format remain unchanged, but the number of teams grew just a little to 32, so that all the 8 groups are made by 4 teams. This was the first edition after the introduction of substitutions during the games. Group 1 was the most tight, at the end Romania got through for goal difference over Czechoslovakia, it was decisive the game played in Bucharest and won by the Romanians 2-1. Hungary prevailed over Bulgaria and France in Group 2, after the historical win in Colombes against the French., 2-0 on October 9, 1971. France could win the group by beating Bulgaria in the last game with 4 goals difference, but at the end Bulgaria won 2-1. England had some problems in prevailing in Group 3, but at the end Switzerland had to surrender after drawing (1-1) in Wembley. Soviet Union finished unbeaten Group 4, while Spain was second, Belgium controlled Portugal in the last game in Lisbon, and qualified by drawing 1-1.Italy won Group 6 with 10 points, but in Austria lost once again Riva, shin-bone and fibula fracture. Last two teams qualified for the quarterfinals were Yugoslavia and, finally, West Germany, that built their win in Group 8 after defeating Poland in Warsaw. Quarterfinals were full of sensational results: West Germany won in Wembley 3-1, Belgium beat Italy with Van Moer and Van Himst, Hungary got through after a scoring on 89 minutes of the playoff against Romania. Only USSR won easily. The final round was in Belgium: USSR beat Hungary in a desert stadium (no more than 2,000 viewers), while the German star Gerd Mueller leadhis team to the final by scoring two goals to the home team. Belgium won 2-1 the third place match, and on June 18, 1972, West Germany became European Champion for the first time: once again Gerd Mueller scored two goals, becoming also Top Scorer of the tournament. USSR had to go out whit the head bowed, 3-0 the final score.

West Germany: Maier, Höttges, Beckenbauer, Schwarzenbeck, Breitner, U.Hoeness, Wimmer, Netzer, Heynckes, G.Müller, E.Kremers

Yugoslavia 1976

The Cup is won after penalty shootouts!

West Germany had just won the World Cup, when the qualifying round started. The team trained by Helmut Schoen were the hot favourite, in fact they won an easy group with Greece, Bulgaria and Malta. Concerning the other groups, a couple of them were dominated (surprising Wales in Group 2, Yugoslavia in Group 3) but mainly they were really tight. Group 5 was won by Netherland for goal difference against Poland, with the Italians, third, just one point below. Czechoslovakia won Group 1 (9 points, 8 for England), Spain got first place in Group 4 over Romania and Scotland, the USSR and Belgium respectively defeating Ireland and East Germany.Spain-West Germany was the most important match of the quarterfinals. The Germans as World Campions had something more, in fact after a draw at 1 in Spain, Germany won easily with goals scored by Hoeness and Toppmöller. Yugoslavia didn’t suffer to beat Wales, 2-0 in Belgrade, in Cardiff they took the lead with a penalty by Katalinski, and Wales defended their honour with Evans. The World Cup runner up, the Netherlands, won to Belgium (7-1 in aggregate) and USSR was sent out by Czechoslovakia (2-0 in Prague, 2-2 in Moscow. Final round in Yugoslavia, with both semi-finals finished after extra time. Czechoslovakia won 3-1, 5 minutes before the end it was 1-1, the same happened in Belgrade, where West Germany won 4-2 with a hat trick of Dieter Mueller at his debut. The Dutch won the third place game, while the final (at the Crzeva Zvezda Stadium, on June 20) was really a sensational game. The Czechoslovakian scored twice (Svehlik and Dobias), then Mueller and, on 90 minutes, Holzembein drew. For the first time the penalty shootouts determined the winner: Czechoslovakia scored all their 4 penalties, while Hoeness missed his one. Antonìn Panenka had a match ball, and scored the most famous shootout of the history, chipping the ball straight down the middle and ino the net. Czechoslovakia are the champions, and now penalties like that are simply called “Panenka”.

Czechoslovakia: Viktor, Pivarník, Ondrus, Capkovic, Gögh, Dobiás (94 Vesely), Móder, Panenka, Masny, Svehlík (79 Jurkemik), Nehoda.

Italy 1980

New format, old winners.

After 12 years, the final round was back to Italy, but this time with a new format: the hosting country was decided before the qualifying round, and was automatically admitted to the final round, this time with eight teams rather then four. The remaining teams came out of 7 groups. England dominated group 1, with 15 points of 16 available: only Ireland took one point to the British. Group 2 was tighter, Belgium qualified with 12 points, just one more than Austria, thought the face to face games finished in a draw. Spain won group 3 over Yugoslavia and Romania, Netherlands won group 4, drawing at home against Poland with a goal scored by Huub Stevens (if the Polish had won, the would have get through). White flag for France, and Czechoslovakia qualified for just one point, while Group 6 is surprisingly won by Greece over Hungary and Finland. Everything was easy for West Germany in Group 7. Four venues (Milan, Turin, Roma and Naples), and an easy format: two groups, semi-finals were abolished, the groups winners played for the title, the runner-up for the third place match. Italy was the host country, but a match fixing scandal caused the ban of some important players, especially strikers. English and German are favourite of the two group. Group 1 (Germany, Netherlands, Czechoslovakia and Greece) started where Euro 76 finished, but this time Germany won 1-0 over Czechoslovakia. Netherlands suffered a lot with Greece, and won 1-0 with a penalty, but the Dutch lost 3-2 in Naples against Germany. Czechoslovakia beat 3-1 Greece then drew with the Netherlands, while West Germany qualified to the final, they didn’t need to win against Greece. Czechoslovakia qualified for the Third place match for a better goal difference over Netherlands. Group 2 (Italy, Spain, Belgium, England) started with two draws: Italy-Spain 0-0, Belgium-England 1-1. On June 15, in Turin, Italy beat England with a great fighting spirit, 1-0, but after the game the city knew the hooliganism. Belgium defeated Spain 2-1. Italy-Belgium is decisive, but the Belgian could draw because they have same goal difference, but scored more. Italy had no strikers, their opponents controlled the game and at the end it was 0-0. While Czechoslovakia beat Italy on penalty shootouts, in Rome West Germany won the tournament, defeating Belgium 2-1, with two goals scored by striker Horst Hrubesh. The penalty of Vandereyken was useless: the German were Champions, and 21 years old Bernd Schuster was their star.

West Germany: Schumacher, Kaltz, K.H.Förster, Stielike, Dietz, Briegel (55 Cullmann), Schuster, H.Müller, K.H.Rummenigge, Hrubesch, K.Allofs.

France 1984

Platini on the top of Europe.

Some more changes in the format for the seventh European Championship: in the final round there were the semi-finals, while the Third Place Match was cancelled. Since the teams were eight, there were no more changes. The organization of the final tournament was given to France, that hosted 7 teams in 7 different venues: Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Lens, Strasbourg, Saint Etienne and Nantes. World Cup winners of Italy finished fourth in their qualifying group and did not qualify, the same happened to Poland, third in Spain 1982. The groups were won by Romania and Portugal. The other winners were Belgium, Denmark over England for just one point, Yugoslavia, West Germany and Spain. The Iberian had the same points of the Netherlands, 13, but a better goal difference, especially after an incredible 12-1 to Malta that caused polemics, the exact result to qualify them. On June 12 Parc des Princes is full, France didn’t play that well but Platini scored 12 minutes before the end, Denmark was beaten. In Lens, Belgium defeated Yougoslavia, with goals scored by Vandenbergh and Georges Grün. With a Platini’s hattrick, France annihilated Belgium 5-0, with the same result Denmark beat Yugoslavia. Another Paltini’s hattrick, and Yugoslavia is beaten, Belgium-Denmark is decisive to qualify a second team to the semi-finals. Belgium took the lead, 2-0 after 40 minutes, then Arnesen, Larsen and Elkjaer completely changed the score: Danish qualified. Group B was full of stars, West Germany was favourite but after a draw with Portugal and a win against Romania (two goals of Voeller), the Germans could even draw to get through but a goal by Spanish defendder Maceba on 90 minutes condemned them. Portugal, after drawing to Spain, beat the Romanians and had the second place. Semi-finals were spectacular: France beat Portugal after extra time, but 5 minutes before the end Portugal was leading. The 3-2 goal scored again by Platini on 119 minutes. Spain was the second finalist, beating Denmark after penalty shootouts: Elkjaer –one of the revelations of the tournament- missed his last penalty. This time Maceba had two yellow cards and missed the final, Platini scored again a free kick (but it was a mistake of Spanish goalkeeper Arkonada), then Bruno Bellone gave to the French the first big trophy of its history.

France: Bats, Battiston (Amoros), Le Roux, Bossis, Domergue, Giresse, Tigana, Fernandez, Platini, Lacombe, Genghini (Bellone)

West Germany 1988

Finally, the Netherlands.

Winds of change in Eastern Europe, but in 1988 the situation remained the same, teams are always 33 and 7 groups. Nobody knew it, but this was the last time of Germany divided into two. West Germany hosted the final tournament, East Germany did better than the Champions of France but Soviet Union did better and won Group 3. Spain qualified in Group 1, this time without polemic, while Group 2 was won by Italy: it was decisive Italy-Sweden, 2-1 in Naples in November 1987. England qualified over Yugoslavia, Netherland dominated Group 5 (too far Greece and Hungary), Denmark and surprising Ireland got a ticket to Germany. June 10, in Duesseldorf Roberto Mancini shut up the German fans, but 3 minutes later Andy Brehme drew. Spain beat Denmark, but Italy in the second game defeated the Spanish and West Germany beat the Danish. Italy and West Germany qualified to the semi-finals, West Germany won the group for a better goal difference. Group 2 was also very exciting: day 1 had some surprising scores, Ireland beat England with a header by Houghton, and USSR defeated Netherlands. On June 15, the game between England and Netherland became unforgettable, with Marco van Basten’s hattrick in Duesseldorf. The Irish took the lead of the Group together with the Soviets. On day 3. USSR beat England 3-1, for the English a few honourable zero in the table. On minutes 82, Ireland was qualified to the semi-finals, when Wim Kieft scored his most important goal: the Irish dream was over, the Netherlands travelled to Hamburg to play West Germany. Matthaeus scored on penalty, but referee Igna conceded a penalty also to the Dutch that Koeman scored off. Everybody was thinking to the extra time, but the goal by Van Basten on 89 minutes and the Orange were qualified. USSR scored twice in 4 minutes, and Italy was K.O. The final was played on Jun 25, a Saturday. Gullit scored in the first half, then on second half a cross came from the left, every player would have waited for a rebound, Marco Van Basten tried a volley and this is now one of the best goals ever in the Euro Championship history. The Dutch lift the trophy, Germany was a letdown. Van Basten, with 5 goals, was crowned as Top scorer of the tournament.

Netherlands: Van Breukelen, Van Aerle, Rijkaard, R.Koeman, Van Tiggelen, Vanenburg, Wouters, A.Mühren, E.Koeman, Gullit, Van Basten

Sweden 1992

When the underdogs win.

Once again the politics influenced the football: Yugoslavia, winner of group 4, were not admitted in the final tournament, due to the civil war and UN sanctions. While Danish footballers were already in vacation, they were called to play the final in Sweden as runner-up of the group. Italy tried to take part instead of USSR (winner of Group 3), but UEFA and FIFA admitted the team, in the meantime become CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States). France won Group 1 and impressed everybody with 8 win in 8 games. Group 2 was very close, Scotland won with one point more than Switzerland and Romania, two more than Bulgaria. After the unification, Germany played Group 5 (originally, both West and East Germany were drawn it this group), and won over Wales. Also Netherlands and England qualified to the final tournament. Despite the unification of Germany, the participation was growing with small federations teams like San Marino and Far Oer Islands.

Four venues (Stockholm, Malmo, Goteborg, Norrkopping), same format as in Germany, two groups of four teams, semi-finals and final, in Goteborg. Technically this was one of the poorest tournament, but the performance of the Danish made the history of football. After three draws in the group (Denmark-England, France-Sweden and France-England), the team trained by Moller Nielsen lost to Sweden (goal by Thomas Brolin), but the beat the French (2-1, with a goal at the end by Lars Elstrup. England lost against the hosting team, and Denmark got through as runner up of the group. The second group was won by the Netherlands, Germany is runner up. The semi-final between Swedish and Germans is the most spectacular game of the competition: the hosts loose 2-3, Germany qualified to the final. In the second semi-final, Henryk Larsen (that failed in Serie A one year before) scored two goals, drew firstly by Bergkamp, then by Rijkaard on 86 minutes. Nothing happened in the extra-time, the penalty shootouts were decided by the fault of Marco van Basten. Incredibly, Denmark qualified to the final, and won it with goals by Jensen and Vilfort. This player travelled home after all the games, to assist is daughter, afflicted with leukaemia: unfortunately, some week after Denmark’s win, the little girl died.

Denmark: Schmeichel, Sivebaek (Christiansen), K. Nielsen, L. Olsen, Piechnik, Christofte, J. Jensen, Vilfort, H. Larsen, Povlsen, B. Laudrup.

England 1996

Bierhoff gives the Cup to Germany.

Post communism and the disgregation of USSR and Yugoslavia left more participants, 48, so UEFA decided to open the final round to 16 teams. A win now gives 3 points, and Golden Goal has been introduced. England hosted the 1996 edition, the qualifying round was made by 7 groups of 6 teams, and one with 5. The winners qualified to the final, together with the best 7 runners-up. Groups were won by Romania, Spain, Switzerland, Croatia, Czech Republic, Portugal, Germany, and Russia. Six runners up (Italy, Bulgaria, Turkey, Scotland, Denmark, France) qualified directly, while Netherlands and Ireland (the two worst reunners-up) had a playoff in Liverpool, that the Dutch won 2-0. Wembley, Elland Road in Leeds, Old Trafford, Anfield, Hillsborough, Villa Park, St James’ Park and City Ground were the venues, and it took place between June 8 and June 30. England’s debut at Wembley, in front of 77,000 viewers, was a little slow, as they drew face to Switzerland. Then, by winning over eternal rivals of Scotland and the Netherlands, 4-1 with Shearer and Sheringham scoring two goals each, they got first place in the group. In spite of this defeat, the Dutch qualified to quarter finals. France and Spain qualified in Group B, Group C was renamed the Group of death, as it has Italy, Germany, Czech Republic and Russia. Italy won 2-0 with the Russian, but underrated the second game with the underdogs of Czech Republic, Sacchi kept out half of the regular players and lost. Zola missed a penalty against Germany and Italy failed. The German and the Czech got through. Also defending champions of Denmark failed, Portugal and Croatia qualified. The knockout stages were poor of goals, England-Spain and France-Netherlands finished 0-0, England and France won on penalties. Germany defeated Croatia after a tough game and a decisive goal scored by Matthias Sammer, and Portugal was defeated by Czech Republic. Penalties also for the semi-finals, both 6-5, with Czech Republic and Germany beating respectively France and England. After the game in London, there was a nightmare for the riots and hooliganism. Wembley is the theatre of a poor finale, the Czech took the lead with a penalty scored by Berger. German coach Berti Vogts tried a strategic move and put Bierhoff on the pitch: the Udinese striker drew and scored the first Golden Goal of the history of international football. Germany won its third European Championship, while top scorer was Alan Shearer.

Germany: Köpke, Sammer, Babbel, Helmer, Strunz, Hässler, Eilts (46' Bode), Scholl (69' Bierhoff), Ziege, Klinsmann, Kuntz.

Belgium/Netherlands 2000

First co-hosted edition, once again a Golden Goal.

The participation grew, 51 teams, two of them automatically qualified to the final stage as co-host teams, Belgium and Netherlands. The remaining 49 were split into 9 groups, qualifying the winners and the best runner-up. The remaining eight entered a random draw for two-legged playoff matches from which four more countries qualify. Winners were Italy, Norway, Germany, France, Sweden, Spain, Romania, Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) and Czech Republic (sensational, 30 points of 30 available). Portugal qualified automatically as best runner-up, and after play-offs also England, Denmark, Slovenia and Turkey could take part to the final tournament. Eight venues, four per each country. Belgium surprisingly was eliminated at the group stage by Italy and Turkey, after a good debut against Sweden. Group A registered the worst performance of the German team, just 1 point and a bad defeat against Portugal (0-3). Together with Portugal, Romania got through and England was sent off the tournament. Group C was won by Spain with Yugoslavia runner up. The other hosting country, the Netherlands, won Group D with 9 points, ahead of France, 6. Quarter finals were not so tight, except France-Spain, won by Les Blues 2-1. Everything easy for Italy (2-0 against Romania), Portugal (same score to Turkey), and particularly for Netherlands (6-1 over Yugoslavia). The first semi final was between Portugal and France: Nuno Gomes scored, then Henry drew. Extra time: the French attack, Portugal trying to defend. When everybody thought about the penalties, the referee conceded a penalty on minutes 119 to the French. Several challenged the awarding of the penalty for a handball and were given lengthy suspensions for shoving the referee. Zidane scored, France in final. Italy, after Belgium, defeated the other host team in semi final: Toldo was the hero of the game, with a penalty saved during the regular time, then Kluivert missed another penalty (goal post), Zambrotta was sent off but at the end Italy won on penalties, with saves from Toldo on Frank de Boer and Bosvelt, Stam penalty was out, only Maldini did not score for Italy and Totti shot a “Panenka”, beating Van der Sar: Zoff’s team qualified to the final, trying to win after 32 years. The final game in Rotterdam was still 0-0 at half time. During second half, Delvecchio was alone in front of Barthez and took the lead for Italy. On 89 minutes, when the Italian fans were almost aware of a historical win, Wiltord with a diagonal shot beat Toldo. Once again the extra time, but this time it last just two minutes: a cross from the left, the half-volley of Trezeguet, France won the European Championship for the second time, on Golden Goal.

France: Barthez, Thuram, Blanc, Desailly, Lizarazu (Pires), Vieira, Deschamps, Djorkaeff (Trézéguet), Zidane, Dugarry (Wiltord), Henry.

Portugal 2004

The big disappointment for the Portuguese, the big surprise of Greece.

For Euro 2004, teams are still 51, Portugal automatically qualified as host and the remaining 50 divided into 10 groups of 5 teams each. Runners up had a double legged play-off, so that there were 15 teams qualified. France had scored maximum point in Group 1, Czech Republic just drew one game in Group 3. Denmark, Sweden, Germany, Greece, England, Bulgaria, Italy and Switzerlan won remaining groups. In play-off, there was the historical qualification of Latvia (3-2 on aggregate over Turkey), then Netherlands, Croatia, Russia and Spain qualified. With ten venues in Portugal, host country for the first time, the tournament started on June 12 and finished on July 4. The hosting team lost the inaugural game, faced with the underdogs of Greece. A long shot by Karagounis and a penalty by Basinas gave Greece their first historical win in a final round. The goal scored by young star Cristiano Ronaldo, during injury time, was useless. Spain beat Russia. Day 2: the Greek drew against Spain, an Portugal (winner 2-0 over the Russian) absolutely needed a win over Spain to qualify. The win came with a Nuno Gomes goal, Russia defeated Greece, but the Greek qualified. Spain was not the only top team to be knocked out in the group stage. Also Italy had a bitter Euro 2004: a drew,0-0 against Denmark, Totti banned 3 games for his spit to Poulsen, the goal scored by Ibra at the very last minute, the polemic on the 2-2 draw between Sweden and Denmark that qualified the Scandinavian teams. Another surprise was the knocked out of the Germans, third in their group behind Czech Republic and Netherlands. Title holders France won Group B, and got trough together with England, but were sent home by Greece: at Alvalade Stadium in Lisbon, a goal scored by striker Angelos Charisteas gave semi-final to the Greeks. Portugal beat England on penalties, with the Portuguese keeper, Ricardo, that after saving Vassel’s penalty without his gloves, then he scored himself next penalty, giving the semifinals to his team. Robben qualified Netherlands with his penalty kick, 5-4on penalty shootout over Sweden. Czech Republic annihilated Denmark, Milan Baros was the man of the match. Golden goal was abolished, and replaced by Silver Goal (if a team is leading at the end of the first overtime, that team wins the game). It was with a Silver Goal by a defender, Traianos Dellas, was decisive and sent Czech Republic home. Greece, trained by coach Otto Rehhagel, got an historical final. It wouldn’t have been easy, as they found Portugal. For the first time, the inaugural match was also the final. Portugal was quite sure to win the trophy, but Charisteas again scored with a header after a corner-kick by Basinas. Ricardo’s mistake coming out was decisive, Zagorakis lifted the trophy, Greece was European Champion, and all Lisbon was disappointed!

Greece: Nikopolidis; Seitaridis, Kapsis, Dellas, Fyssas; Giannakopoulos, Venetidis, Zagorakis, Basinas, Katsouranis (Vryzas, Papadopoulos), Charisteas.

Switzerland/ Austria 2008

Spain- First Championship in 44 years.

The 2008 Euro Cup consisted of 16 teams divided up into four groups of four battling out it in a knockout style format in order to become the champions of the Europe. Switzerland and Austria automatically qualified as hosts and the final was played at Ernst Happel Stadion in Vienna. Group C became known of the as the “the group of death” as powerhouses Italy, France and Romania all competed against each other to advance into the higher stages of the competition. The tournament was full of upsets and disappointments as unexpected underdog teams swept European giants in all stages of the competition.

The first upset of the competition occurred when the Netherlands won the group of death. The squad defeated France and Italy both by three points, with Ruud van Nistelrooy scoring during both games. Both France and Italy had players on their squad which have the ability to defend against the Netherlands aggression and aggressively attack the goal, but failed to do so. From that point on, the Netherlands became the favorite to win the competition.

The Netherlands however, were defeated by the second place winner of the Group D, Russia in the quarter finals, who were led by Andrei Arshaven. This was another unexpected defeat as before the Russian squad was not expected to even advance past the group stages. However the Russia defeated defending champions Greece and Sweden in order to get in the semi-finals. The squad however was defeated by Spain twice; once the group stages and again in the semi-finals.

The Spanish squad went on to win the contest, their first title in 44 years. It faced Germany in the final match, in front of a worldwide audience. Michael Ballack, Germany’s captain and lead midfield got injured in the middle of the game after missing a header and accidentally head butting a member of Spain’s team. Fernando” El Nino” Torres scored the game winning goal and for the Spanish squad as it defeated Germany by a score of 1-0.

Ukraine/ Poland 2012

The Euro Cup 2012 will be full of excitement and surprise as teams from all over Europe will compete to be crowned the champions of Europe. Both Ukraine and Poland will be automatically qualified to be in the competition as they are the hosts. Having the striker Shevchenko and being the host country Ukraine will be expected to do well in the contest. Poland, who has Jacek Krzynówek., and is the other host country, is also expected to go far. However, the results as always will be impossible predict as superstar athletes from all around Europe will be proudly wearing their country’s colors in the biggest football competition of Europe.

Trophy

Team Honours

Past Winners

Most Successful Teams

Germany is currently the leader in having won the most UEFA Euro Cup tournaments, with three wins to its name. France is second with 2 wins.

Important Links

References