From the inaugural European Nations’ Cup in 1960, proper by way of to the more moderen Euros, each version of the continental competitors has written its personal particular story.
From spectacular targets and memorable matches to moments of controversy, shock winners and iconic celebrations, the European Championship has had a little bit of all the things.
Typically dramatic or thrilling and infrequently era-defining, here’s a take a look at among the greatest moments from the Euros all through the years…
32. Soviet Union win inaugural match
The inaugural European Nations’ Cup occurred in 1960 and 4 groups participated within the match correct: France, Soviet Union, Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia.
Within the first match, Yugoslavia beat hosts France 5-4 in an epic encounter, with the Soviet Union 3-0 winners towards Czechoslovakia within the different semi-final. And the Soviets, led by the legendary Lev Yashin in objective, defeated Yugoslavia 2-1 after additional time within the closing to win the first-ever European Championship.
31. Italy win after coin toss and replay
Italy triumphed on dwelling soil versus the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia on the 1968 European Championship – however solely after a coin toss and a replay.
The Azzurri met the Soviets within the final 4 in Naples and with the tie nonetheless goalless after 90 minutes plus additional time, it was determined through a coin toss. Italy gained it and within the closing towards Yugoslavia, the house aspect gained a replay 2-0 after the primary match had ended 1-1 in 120 minutes of motion.
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30. Dieter Müller hits hat-trick on debut
With West Germany trailing Yugoslavia 2-1 within the semi-finals of Euro 1976, coach Helmut Schön rolled the cube for the final time, sending on striker Dieter Müller for his worldwide debut rather than Herbert Wimmer after 79 minutes.
Müller scored three minutes later to power additional time and went on so as to add two extra targets to mark his West Germany debut with the European Championship’s first-ever hat-trick. He additionally scored within the closing, however the Germans misplaced to Czechoslovakia on penalties.
29. Latvia frustrate Germany
Enjoying within the European Championship for the primary time, Latvia misplaced their opening two matches to Czech Republic and the Netherlands at Euro 2004.
The Baltic nation have been anticipated to lose once more as they confronted 2002 World Cup finalists of their closing group sport, however held Rudi Völler’s aspect to a goalless attract Porto and condemned the two-time European champions to a first-round exit.
28. Turkey comeback vs Czech Republic
Of their closing Group A sport at Euro 2008, Turkey have been 2-0 right down to the Czech Republic and heading out of the competitors. However all the things modified within the final quarter-hour.
Arda Turan pulled one again with 1 / 4 of an hour left and two targets from Nihat Kahveci within the 87th and 89th minutes sealed a dramatic late comeback as Turkey took their place within the knockout phases on the Czechs’ expense. Fatih Terim’s aspect went on to make the semi-finals, dropping out to a late objective in a 3-2 defeat to Germany.
27. Whelan’s volley vs Soviet Union
The Republic of Eire have been the most effective tales at Euro 88 and Jack Charlton’s aspect have been unlucky to not make it into the knockout phases.
After beating England of their opening sport, the Boys in Inexperienced drew 1-1 with the Soviet Union and that match produced one other memorable second as Ronnie Whelan scored with a rare left-footed volley from the sting of the realm following an extended throw-in. The Irish missed out on a spot within the quarter-finals after a slender loss to the Netherlands of their closing group sport.
26. Poborsky’s scoop vs Portugal
Enjoying of their first main match as a brand new nation, the Czech Republic reached the ultimate of Euro 96 and Karel Pobosky’s winner towards Portugal within the quarter-finals was an actual spotlight.
The winger made his manner by way of a crowd of Portuguese defenders and scooped the ball excessive into the air, over goalkeeper Vitor Baia and into the online to win the match for the Czechs with a particular strike. It was additionally his first worldwide objective.
25. Dutch hit Yugoslavia for six
The Netherlands placed on a present within the quarter-finals of Euro 2000, thrashing Yugoslavia 6-1 in Rotterdam.
Patrick Kluivert hit a hat-trick and will have been the primary participant within the match’s historical past to attain 4 as Dejan Govedarica’s personal objective was initially credited to the striker. The Dutch went on to lose to Italy on penalties within the semi-finals.
24. Ballack’s bullet free-kick
After a shock defeat to Croatia of their second match, Germany wanted a win towards Austria to ensure passage to the knockout phases of Euro 2008.
Michael Ballack offered the second of inspiration in a good contest, blasting an unstoppable free-kick into the highest nook from over 25 yards out to ebook Germany’s place within the second spherical. Joachim Löw’s aspect went on to achieve the ultimate.
23. Followers present help for Eriksen
Soccer followers internationally have been left in shock and disappointment after Denmark’s Christian Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest in a sport towards Finland at Euro 2020.
Group-mate Simon Kjaer reacted shortly by inserting the midfielder within the restoration place and he was given pressing medical help. Eriksen was taken to hospital and discharged a couple of days later, following an operation. He acquired an outpouring of help and affection from followers and Denmark went on to make the semi-finals. Fortunately, he was later in a position to resume his profession.
22. Rooney makes a splash
Wayne Rooney made his England debut as a 17-year-old in 2003 and confirmed his standing as one of many sport’s most enjoyable abilities in his first main match with the Three Lions.
Rooney scored twice towards Switzerland in an electrical efficiency on his Euro 2004 debut which noticed Sven Goran Eriksson’s aspect described as potential champions. The striker, who joined Manchester United that summer time, went on to attain two extra towards Croatia, however was injured as England misplaced to Portugal on penalties within the final eight.
21. Ibra’s flick vs Italy
Zlatan Ibrahimovic spent a lot of his greatest years in Italy, with Juventus, Inter and AC Milan, and the Swedish striker scored one in every of his biggest targets towards the Azzurri at Euro 2004.
Together with his again to objective and seemingly few choices, Ibrahimovic improvised with an outrageous flick which earned Sweden a 1-1 draw and was named as Aim of the Match. The Scandinavians went on to achieve the quarter-finals, with Ibra lacking his penalty in a shootout loss to the Netherlands.
20. Šuker’s chip vs Denmark
Davor Šuker scored some particular targets in his profession and one of many highest got here in a 3-0 win for Croatia towards Denmark at Euro 96.
With Croatia already 2-0 up and Denmark committing males, Šuker broke clear on the left however nonetheless had the formidable determine of Peter Schmeichel to beat. No drawback: the previous Actual Madrid striker swung his left foot to chip the ball nonchalantly over the world’s greatest goalkeeper and wrap up a 3-0 win over the defending champions. Artwork.
19. Ricardo ditches gloves to beat Englnd
Ricardo was Portugal’s hero of their penalty shootout win over England within the quarter-finals of Euro 2004.
The goalkeeper took off his gloves to avoid wasting Darius Vassell’s spot-kick along with his naked fingers after which stepped as much as fireplace the successful penalty himself because the hosts gained 6-5 after the 2 groups had drawn 1-1 within the 90 minutes (and 2-2 after additional time).
18. Shaqiri’s stunner vs Poland
Xherdan Shaqiri lit up Switzerland’s last-16 tie towards Poland at Euro 2016 with an unbelievable overhead kick from the sting of the realm to stage the scores at 1-1.
Extremely, Shaqiri’s strike solely got here third within the vote for the objective of the match, behind Hungary’s Zoltan Gera and Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo. However it is without doubt one of the greatest targets in European Championship historical past. Poland went on to win on penalties, although.
17. Wales make semi-finals on Euros debut
Enjoying of their first-ever European Championship, Wales went all the way in which to the semi-finals of Euro 2016.
The Welsh beat Slovakia and Russia to high Group B, earlier than edging out Northern Eire within the final 16 after which defeating much-fancied Belgium within the quarter-finals as Hal Robson-Kanu conjured up a Cruyff flip earlier than hitting the winner in Lille. Chris Coleman’s aspect misplaced to eventual winners Portugal within the semi-finals.
16. Switzerland stun France
After reaching the ultimate in 2016 and successful the World Cup in 2018, France went into Euro 2020 as huge favourites. However Switzerland hadn’t learn the script.
The Swiss equalised within the ninetieth minute of an exhilarating tie in Copenhagen and with the groups nonetheless stage after additional time, penalties have been wanted to resolve the end result. Within the shootout, Yann Sommer saved from Kylian Mbappé to present Switzerland a 5-4 win and produce an enormous upset. The Swiss misplaced to Spain on penalties within the final eight.
15. Pirlo’s Panenka penalty
England have been forward of Italy within the groups’ penalty shootout within the quarter-finals of Euro 2012 when Andrea Pirlo stepped as much as take his kick.
However the midfielder’s second of genius modified all the things. Pirlo chipped an beautiful Panenka over Joe Hart to swing the momentum again in Italy’s favour. “I made my choice proper on the final second, after I noticed Joe Hart, the England goalie, doing all kinds on his line,” Pirlo wrote in his autobiography. It labored. England missed their subsequent two penalties as Italy went on to win 4-2.
14. Platini fires Les Bleus to the title
France scored 14 targets and Euro 1984 and Michel Platini netted 9 of them, together with hat-tricks towards Belgium and Yugoslavia.
Within the semi-finals, Platini struck proper on the finish of additional time to present France a 3-2 win over Portugal and the previous Juventus ahead opened the scoring towards Spain within the closing as Les Bleus gained a first-ever main honour.
13. England lose on penalties to Germany once more
In the summertime of 1996, England followers began to imagine that issues could be completely different this time, however Germany have been standing of their manner as soon as once more within the semi-finals.
The Three Lions’ loss to West Germany within the 1990 World Cup semi-finals was nonetheless recent within the minds of many followers and historical past repeated itself. The primary 10 takers all scored. Then Gareth Southgate missed. “Thirty years of damage” would go on and Southgate would expertise penalty heartache 25 years later as coach as England misplaced a shootout to Italy within the closing of Euro 2020.
12. Balotelli’s present vs Germany
Mario Balotelli produced maybe his greatest efficiency for Italy as he hit each targets to assist the Azzurri to a 2-1 win over Germany within the semi-finals of Euro 2012.
Balotelli opened the scoring with a header after 20 minutes and made it 2-0 later within the half as he latched onto an extended ball from Riccardo Montolivo and composed himself earlier than blasting dwelling a fierce effort from the sting of the realm. The previous Manchester Metropolis striker took off his shirt and flexed his muscle tissue in an iconic celebration. Italy went on to lose the ultimate to Spain.
11. Iceland beat England
Iceland got here by way of Group F at Euro 2016 in second place after a win and two attracts and the match’s least-populated nation would face England within the second spherical.
Wayne Rooney’s penalty gave Roy Hodgson’s aspect an early lead in Good, however Iceland scored twice inside 19 minutes to show the sport on its head and held on for a historic win. The Icelanders misplaced 5-2 to hosts France within the quarter-finals.
10. Italy win on penalties at Wembley
England and Italy couldn’t be separated after 120 minutes at Wembley within the Euro 2020 closing and the match winner can be determined in a penalty shootout.
Italy missed two of their spot-kicks, however Roberto Mancini’s males secured victory after England did not convert three of theirs, with goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma the hero with saves from Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka after Marcus Rashford’s effort had hit the publish. Italy had additionally overwhelmed Spain on penalties within the semi-finals.
9. Injured Ronaldo cheers Portugal to victory
Portugal suffered an enormous blow within the Euro 2016 closing towards France as their captain and star participant Cristiano Ronaldo was stretchered off with an harm early within the sport.
Ronaldo had tried to play on after a collision with Dimitri Payet. Unable to proceed, he appeared on the sidelines with a strapped leg alongside coach Fernando Santos and shouted directions to his team-mates. After Eder’s extra-time objective gave Portugal their first-ever main title, he lifted the trophy and led the celebrations on the pitch.
8. Gazza’s objective and celebration vs Scotland
Forward of Euro 96, a few of England’s gamers have been pictured pouring alcohol down one another’s throats in a apply often known as the “dentist’s chair” and the photographs precipitated controversy on the eve of the match.
Naturally, Paul Gascoigne was one of many gamers concerned and after scoring an unbelievable objective within the group sport towards Scotland – as he lifted the ball over the top of Colin Hendry after which volleyed dwelling – at Wembley, the midfielder lay again as his team-mates grabbed water bottles and poured liquid down his throat in a comical re-enactment of the “dentist’s chair”. Good objective, iconic celebration.
7. Bierhoff’s golden objective
Oliver Bierhoff began the Euro 96 closing on the bench, however the striker quickly made his mark as he changed Mehmet Scholl after 69 minutes at Wembley.
Bierhoff levelled for Germany on 73 minutes after Patrik Berger had given the Czech Republic the lead simply in need of the hour mark and the Udinese ahead hit the winner with a golden objective in additional time to seal the title for Berti Vogts’ aspect.
6. France break Italian hearts
With time ticking away in Rotterdam, Marco Delvecchio’s second-half strike seemed to have sealed a primary European Championship title for Italy since 1968.
However France substitute Sylvain Wiltord levelled within the 94th minute to take the sport into additional time and in it, fellow sub David Trezeguet blasted dwelling a golden objective to seal victory for the world champions and break Italian hearts in a dramatic finale.
5. Spain’s superb period
Spain gained the European Nations’ Cup on dwelling soil in 1964, however La Roja turned recognized for his or her failure to dwell as much as expectations at main tournaments within the subsequent few many years.
All of that modified in 2008 as Luis Aragones’ aspect deservedly claimed the title. Two years later, Spain gained the World Cup with Vicente del Bosque in cost and in 2012, La Roja turned the primary crew in Euros historical past to win consecutive continental crowns.
4. Panenka’s penalty
Antonin Panenka’s penalty approach has been imitated by the nice and the great lately, however it began on the European Championship again in 1976.
In a penalty shootout to resolve the ultimate of Euro 1972 after a 2-2 draw between Czechoslovakia and West Germany, Panenka dinked the decisive kick to win the title for the Czechs and create a second of soccer historical past in Belgrade.
3. Van Basten’s volley
Marco van Basten hit an outrageous volley for the Netherlands towards the Soviet Union within the closing of Euro 88.
The Dutch striker plucked the ball out of the air on the far publish and dipped an ideal shot over Rinat Dasayev – one of many world’s greatest goalkeepers on the time – from a seemingly inconceivable angle. On the sidelines, coach Rinus Michels held his head in disbelief. To provide a objective like that in any sport can be particular. To do it in a serious closing and seal a first-ever main trophy in your nation? Priceless.
2. Denmark win Euro 92 – with out qualifying
Denmark didn’t qualify for Euro 92 however got here into the match as a late alternative for Yugoslavia, disqualified because of the ongoing battle and break-up of the nation.
The Danes have been with out their greatest participant, Michael Laudrup, after he opted to remain at dwelling. However the Scandinavians beat France within the group to qualify for the semi-finals, went on to knock out the Netherlands on penalties after which defeated defending world champions Germany 2-0 within the closing.
1. Greece triumph at Euro 2004
Heading into Euro 2004, Greece have been thirty fifth within the FIFA world rankings and of the 24 groups within the match, solely Latvia have been thought-about much less prone to win the title.
However the Greeks got here by way of a troublesome group on the expense of Spain and went on to beat France, Czech Republic and Portugal – all 1-0 wins, all with headers – to assert the title in maybe the most important upset within the match’s historical past.
