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| USSR captain Igor Netto (right) holds the Henri Delaunay trophy aloft ©Getty Image |
Yugoslavia met the Soviet Union in the first UEFA European Championship final, with legendary goalkeeper Lev Yashin showing his class before Viktor Ponedelnik's strike won the match in extra-time.
Indeed, thanks to legendary USSR goalkeeper Lev Yashin, Milan Galić's deflected effort was all the Yugoslavs had to show for 90 minutes of domination. Slava Metreveli's equaliser took the game into extra-time and, as Yugoslavia began fading, Viktor Ponedelnik headed in to claim the Soviet Union's first and only trophy. "There are matches and goals which are really special, sort of a climax of a player's sporting life," Ponedelnik said later. "That was the star moment of my life." For the tournament itself, there would be many more to come.
The first major European national competition was the brainchild of a Frenchman: Henri Delaunay, the secretary of the French Football Federation. He initially mooted his vision in 1927, but it took the advent of UEFA in 1954 to truly get the project off the ground. Even then, some of Europe's member associations remained reticent, and by the time the green light was shown at the 1957 UEFA Congress, Delaunay had passed away two years previously. Far from forgotten, however, he was a natural choice when it came to naming the trophy.
2. 1964 -SPAIN
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| The Spanish players and coach celebrate winning the tournament ©Getty Images |
The second UEFA European Championship was won by Spain on home soil, with Jesús Pereda and Marcellino scoring in a 2-1 final defeat of the Soviet Union, who had triumphed in the 1960 competition.
Spain combined home advantage and spirited teamwork to win their first major trophy in 1964, as the European Nations' Cup continued to grow.
The format remained the same, with a qualifying competition followed by a four-team final tournament, but the buzz surrounding the inaugural edition meant the number of entrants rose from 17 to 29, with Italy and England among the hopefuls this time.
3. 1968 - ITALY
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| Giacinto Facchetti holds the trophy aloft after Italy prevailed against Yugoslavia ©Getty Image |
For the second edition in succession, the final hosts ended up taking the Henri Delaunay trophy, though it took a replay for Italy to beat Yugoslavia two days after the sides drew 1-1 at the Stadio Olimpico.
There was change in the air in 1968 and it swept through both the tournament and its host nation. Having hit rock bottom at the 1966 FIFA World Cup, Italy rebuilt to become the first winners of the newly formed UEFA European Championship. The revamped title was likewise accompanied by a new format, with the knockout stage replaced by the system of qualifying groups still in place today. Blessed with the stronger squad, Valcareggi brought in Sandro Mazzola and Luigi Riva, and the latter shared scoring duties with Pietro Anastasi to finally see off Yugoslavia 2-0. "We definitely deserved to win that game," adds Zoff. "The memories are fresh even now."
There was change in the air in 1968 and it swept through both the tournament and its host nation. Having hit rock bottom at the 1966 FIFA World Cup, Italy rebuilt to become the first winners of the newly formed UEFA European Championship. The revamped title was likewise accompanied by a new format, with the knockout stage replaced by the system of qualifying groups still in place today. Blessed with the stronger squad, Valcareggi brought in Sandro Mazzola and Luigi Riva, and the latter shared scoring duties with Pietro Anastasi to finally see off Yugoslavia 2-0. "We definitely deserved to win that game," adds Zoff. "The memories are fresh even now."
4. 1972 - West Germany
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| Franz Beckenbauer receives the trophy after his team beat the USSR in the final ©Getty Images |
The Soviet Union were to prove no match for West Germany in the final of the 1972 UEFA European Championship, with coach Helmut Schön's lethal weapon Gerd Müller helping himself to two more goals in Brussels. European champions Italy finished runners-up at the 1970 FIFA World Cup, but they were far from favourites to defend their European title in 1972. Drawing the best elements from Bundesliga titans FC Bayern München and VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach, Schön crafted an awesome lineup. Franz Beckenbauer dropped back to become the first of the great attacking sweepers; attacking left-back Paul Breitner and forward Uli Hoeness were superb young additions and Günter Netzer was recalled to add flair, arrogance and flowing blond locks to the midfield. Leading the line, of course, was 'Der Bomber' himself, Gerd Müller.
A supreme finisher, he was at the height of his powers and scored six in the qualifying group as West Germany romped into the quarter-finals. Herbert Wimmer scored the other goal as the Germans celebrated a resounding 3-0 success, still the largest margin of victory in a UEFA European Championship final. "Everything worked," recalled Müller. "We had a good harmony and understood each other very well. That also goes for when we were on the pitch. You cannot ask for more." The foundations had been laid for West Germany's FIFA World Cup success two years later.
5. 1976 - CZECHOSLOVAKIA
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| Czechoslovakia parade the trophy after defeating West Germany ©empics |
It was the perfect end to what had been an outstanding tournament, served up by four excellent teams whose tussles have predictably been overshadowed by that iconic concluding kick.
Hosts Yugoslavia welcomed Czechoslovakia, Johan Cruyff's brilliant Netherlands side and the holders and world champions from West Germany for a footballing festival held in Eastern Europe for the first time. The Czechs had gone 20 games without defeat.
6. 1980 - WEST GERMANY
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| West Germany celebrate with the trophy after beating Belgium ©Getty Images |
Having only made it into the side because of Klaus Fischer's broken leg, Horst Hrubesch stole the spotlight in the 1980 UEFA European Championship final with both of West Germany's goals against Belgium. The success of the 1976 UEFA European Championship fed the clamour for more places at the final tournament, and UEFA responded by doubling the number of participants as the competition returned to Italy for a second time.
The Germans began by gaining revenge on Czechoslovakia, who had beaten them in the 1976 final, and made sure of a berth in the final with an equally satisfying 3-2 success against rivals the Netherlands. Two late Dutch goals almost cancelled out a hat-trick from Klaus Allofs, but Jupp Derwall's side held on before completing the group phase by drawing 0-0 with Greece. With no semi-finals under the new format, the next match brought together Italy and the Czechs to decide third place. It was the holders who prevailed, reasserting their penalty shoot-out prowess after a disappointing contest ended 1-1. That proved to be the last time the third-place play-off was ever held.
Fortunately, the final itself provided more entertainment despite the much-fancied Germans taking an early lead when Hrubesch fired home after ten minutes. Second-half pressure resulted in a penalty for Belgium, which René Vandereycken dispatched, but just as in 1976 Germany scored late on – and this time it was the winner. Hrubesch, who was only in the side because of Klaus Fischer’s broken leg, was the hero again as he headed in Rummenigge’s corner to reclaim the European crown.
The Germans began by gaining revenge on Czechoslovakia, who had beaten them in the 1976 final, and made sure of a berth in the final with an equally satisfying 3-2 success against rivals the Netherlands. Two late Dutch goals almost cancelled out a hat-trick from Klaus Allofs, but Jupp Derwall's side held on before completing the group phase by drawing 0-0 with Greece. With no semi-finals under the new format, the next match brought together Italy and the Czechs to decide third place. It was the holders who prevailed, reasserting their penalty shoot-out prowess after a disappointing contest ended 1-1. That proved to be the last time the third-place play-off was ever held.
Fortunately, the final itself provided more entertainment despite the much-fancied Germans taking an early lead when Hrubesch fired home after ten minutes. Second-half pressure resulted in a penalty for Belgium, which René Vandereycken dispatched, but just as in 1976 Germany scored late on – and this time it was the winner. Hrubesch, who was only in the side because of Klaus Fischer’s broken leg, was the hero again as he headed in Rummenigge’s corner to reclaim the European crown.
7. 1984 - FRANCE
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| French players celebrate winning the trophy with victory against Spain ©Getty Images |
Future UEFA President Michel Platini was the star of the 1984 UEFA European Championship, scoring the opener in France's 2-0 final win against Spain to take his total to nine goals for the finals.
Platini contributed the only goal in France's opening day 1-0 win over Denmark and he followed up with hat-tricks against Belgium and Yugoslavia as Les Bleus ran out 5-0 and 3-2 winners to top Group 1.
in the first-half of the final at the new Parc des Princes, they were gifted a breakthrough when Platini's 57th-minute free-kick squirmed beneath Spain goalkeeper Luis Arconada for his ninth goal in five games. France then had Yvon Le Roux sent off, but they completed their task when Bruno Bellone scored late on to complete a 2-0 victory and claim a first major trophy. "It was an overwhelming joy to become champions," explained Platini. "To do that in front of our own fans was the icing on the cake."
Platini contributed the only goal in France's opening day 1-0 win over Denmark and he followed up with hat-tricks against Belgium and Yugoslavia as Les Bleus ran out 5-0 and 3-2 winners to top Group 1.
in the first-half of the final at the new Parc des Princes, they were gifted a breakthrough when Platini's 57th-minute free-kick squirmed beneath Spain goalkeeper Luis Arconada for his ninth goal in five games. France then had Yvon Le Roux sent off, but they completed their task when Bruno Bellone scored late on to complete a 2-0 victory and claim a first major trophy. "It was an overwhelming joy to become champions," explained Platini. "To do that in front of our own fans was the icing on the cake."
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| The Dutch players rejoice as they are handed the trophy in 1988 ©Bongarts |
Marco van Basten's goal in the Netherlands' 2-0 UEFA European Championship final victory against the Soviet Union remains one of the most stunning moments of individual brilliance to light up the competition.
After bowing out of the tournament in agonising circumstances in 1984, West Germany expected far greater things when they finally got their chance to stage the UEFA European Championship for the first time in 1988.
Franz Beckenbauer was masterminding their effort for a start, and most neutrals envisaged his side steamrollering the field after reaching their second straight FIFA World Cup final two years earlier. Their lineup looked stronger too, with the injection of newcomers Jürgen Klinsmann, Jürgen Kohler and Thomas Berthold, plus a fit-again Rudi Völler.
After bowing out of the tournament in agonising circumstances in 1984, West Germany expected far greater things when they finally got their chance to stage the UEFA European Championship for the first time in 1988.
Franz Beckenbauer was masterminding their effort for a start, and most neutrals envisaged his side steamrollering the field after reaching their second straight FIFA World Cup final two years earlier. Their lineup looked stronger too, with the injection of newcomers Jürgen Klinsmann, Jürgen Kohler and Thomas Berthold, plus a fit-again Rudi Völler.
9. 1992 - DENMARK
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| Denmark celebrate their unlikely victory against Germany in the final ©Getty Images |
Invited to replace Yugoslavia at the last minute, Denmark had just two weeks to prepare for EURO '92, but Richard Møller-Nielsen's men pulled off an extraordinary success, beating Germany 2-0 in the final. After failing to qualify, Denmark were invited to replace Yugoslavia at the last minute, and they gladly ditched their summer plans to become unlikely champions of Europe. They had just two weeks to prepare after Yugoslavia were barred because of the developing Balkan crisis
10. 1996 - GERMANY
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| Jürgen Klinsmann lifts the Henri Delaunay trophy at Wembley stadium ©Getty Images |
EURO '96 was staged in England, the home of football, but the hosts were upstaged by Germany, who beat Terry Venables' side on penalties before defeating the Czech Republic on a golden goal in the final.
Sixteen nations converged on England in the summer of 1996, but while the hosts celebrated football "coming home" it was their old rivals Germany who took the spoils.
11. 2000 - FRANCE |
| France celebrate becoming champions of Europe ©Getty Images |
Zinédine Zidane's brilliance underpinned France's drive to the final of UEFA EURO 2000, but it was David Trezeguet who was to win the decider against Italy with a well-struck golden goal at the De Kuip Stadium.
While most nations would be content with one otherworldly football talent every 20 years, France had the good fortune to produce both Michel Platini and Zinédine Zidane in fairly quick succession. They made sure not to spurn their gift either, and 'Zizou' was at his fluent best as Les Bleus added the 2000 European title to their world crown.
While most nations would be content with one otherworldly football talent every 20 years, France had the good fortune to produce both Michel Platini and Zinédine Zidane in fairly quick succession. They made sure not to spurn their gift either, and 'Zizou' was at his fluent best as Les Bleus added the 2000 European title to their world crown.
12. 2004 - GREECE
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| Theodoros Zagorakis lifts trophy after Greece defeated Portugal 1-0 in the final ©Getty Images |
Having also beaten the hosts in the opening game of UEFA EURO 2004, Otto Rehhagel's Greece pulled off one of the biggest shocks in tournament history by accounting for Portugal in the final in Lisbon.
Before UEFA EURO 2004 kicked off, the normal talk was of which superstar and their team would come out on top in the battle for the European title. In the end, a totally unsung group of players were to triumph in one of European football's greatest surprises.
Greece went into the competition as rank outsiders. However, few people had taken notice of their increasingly impressive qualifying campaign, in which they lost their first two matches, but won the next six, conceding no goals in that excellent run. In what was a splendid month-long festival of football in the Portuguese sun, the Greeks, a solid, pragmatic side which played to their strengths, confounded one team after another, and fully deserved their title in the end. They were coached by Otto Rehhagel, a veteran German who had massive club experience, in particular with Werder Bremen and FC Bayern München in his native country.
Before UEFA EURO 2004 kicked off, the normal talk was of which superstar and their team would come out on top in the battle for the European title. In the end, a totally unsung group of players were to triumph in one of European football's greatest surprises.
Greece went into the competition as rank outsiders. However, few people had taken notice of their increasingly impressive qualifying campaign, in which they lost their first two matches, but won the next six, conceding no goals in that excellent run. In what was a splendid month-long festival of football in the Portuguese sun, the Greeks, a solid, pragmatic side which played to their strengths, confounded one team after another, and fully deserved their title in the end. They were coached by Otto Rehhagel, a veteran German who had massive club experience, in particular with Werder Bremen and FC Bayern München in his native country.
13. 2008 - SPAIN
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| Spain's triumph was their first since the 1964 European Championship ©Getty Images |
Vienna as Spain finally came good on their promise at UEFA EURO 2008, with Luis Aragonés's side demonstrating they had guts as well as talent.
Spain's 44-year wait for a trophy came to an end at UEFA EURO 2008™ as Luis Aragonés's side defeated Germany 1-0 to deservedly win a competition they had taken by storm.
Fernando Torres provided the killer blow in the final, darting past Philipp Lahm before shooting beyond the advancing Jens Lehmann to spark Spanish celebrations. The Furia Roja had achieved what their predecessors had so often failed to do: deliver on their potential. Their success was, in large part, due to Aragonés who had fostered a harmonious atmosphere in a squad blessed with talent. They dazzled with pace, passing and power en route to claiming their country's first title since the 1964 UEFA European Championship.
14. 2012 SPAIN
Spain's 44-year wait for a trophy came to an end at UEFA EURO 2008™ as Luis Aragonés's side defeated Germany 1-0 to deservedly win a competition they had taken by storm.
Fernando Torres provided the killer blow in the final, darting past Philipp Lahm before shooting beyond the advancing Jens Lehmann to spark Spanish celebrations. The Furia Roja had achieved what their predecessors had so often failed to do: deliver on their potential. Their success was, in large part, due to Aragonés who had fostered a harmonious atmosphere in a squad blessed with talent. They dazzled with pace, passing and power en route to claiming their country's first title since the 1964 UEFA European Championship.
14. 2012 SPAIN
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