A fiercely contested competition, the European Championship always produces high drama at its last stage.
With a trip down memory lane, Outside90’s Liam Bednarski tells us exactly why with a look at the top five final matches from the tournament’s history.
Czechoslovakia vs West Germany (1976) 2-2 (AET) 5-3 (Penalties)
Antonin Penenka approached the penalty spot with the shootout delicately poised at 4-3. His eye movement was deceptive, so too his run up before he lightly chipped the ball down the middle of the net as opposing goalkeeper Sepp Maier dove full length to his left.
It was a majestic moment in such a high stakes situation and Penenka unveiled a new technique to the world that captured an unlikely title for the Czechoslovakians.
It was a final of high drama and remains the only one to be decided by spot kicks. It is extremely fitting for the enduring legend of the ‘Penenka Penalty’, which is used so wonderfully by modern day stars such as Francesco Totti, Zlatan Ibramiovic and Andrea Pirlo.
France vs Italy (2000) 2-1 (France win via Golden Goal)
It was a tightly contested match between two mighty nations, in what proved to be one of the finest European Championship finals.
Thierry Henry smashed the woodwork early before Youri Djorkaeff headed wide and the two were again unfortunate not to put the French ahead before halftime.
Italy managed to breakthrough first on 54 minutes, when Marco Delvecchio darted between two defenders after a delicious backheel by Francesco Totti. The Azzurri were looking likely winners, but in the third minute of injury time substitute Silvan Wiltord broke free to take the match into golden goal.
The French took the momentum into extra-time, with Zinedine Zidane missing a guilt-edge chance from a corner. Moments later Robert Pires broke down the left-hand side. He jinked past two defenders and sent a ball in to the box which was smashed home by David Trezeguet to win the trophy for France.
Denmark vs Germany (1992) 2-0
“I looked at the way their faces cracked when I told them the news” murmured captain Dejan Stankovic as his team packed to depart. With the outbreak of civil war, Yugoslavia was removed from Euro 1992 and replaced by group runners-up Denmark.
Denmark’s star player Brian Laudrap returned to the fold to provide the creative lead in a team of no-nonsense, straight-backed defensive workhorses. He was not joined by brother Michael though, as the squad entered Euro 1992 with low expectations.
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The final saw Peter Schmeichel go full octo-mode to deny a Jurgen Klinsmann-led Germany time and time again. An arrowing strike from John Jenson put Denmark ahead early on, with a post-clattering effort from Kim Vilfort securing the win in the final minutes.
Against all odds and having not qualified themselves – Denmark were the champions of Europe.
West Germany vs Belgium (1980) 2-1
It was the third successive final for the mighty West Germany, up against a relatively amateur Belgian team full of ‘heart’ and plenty of ‘team spirit’.
The Belgians were mere outsiders and this proved so when Bernd Schuster’s through ball was smartly chested down by Horst Hrubesch and dispatched past the sprawling Jean-Marie Pfaff only 10 minutes into the match.
The contest had an ebb and flow, as Belgium flew forward for an equalizer while West Germany tried to find another goal on the counter. With Pfaff making numerous saves, the men in red managed to gain momentum and equalize through a Rene Vandereycken penalty in the 75th minute.
The game was poised for a dramatic ending and in the dying moments Horst Hrubesch made a well timed run from a corner to rifle a header past Pfaff, securing the trophy for the West Germans.
Italy vs Yugoslavia (1968) 2-0 (Replay)
Italy made the final of Euro 1968 thanks to the toss of a coin. Yes, you read that correctly. In a classic example of FIFA decision making the semi-final was decided by heads or tails.
Italy therefore took on Yugoslavia in the final and they fell behind to a Dragan Dzajic goal after a smart flick up and finish past Dino Zoff. Angelo Domenghini managed to smash home a free-kick for the Italian’s 10 minutes from time to send the match to a replay.
This took place two days later with the Italian’s making five changes. Star player Luigi Riva returned from a broken leg and led the Azzurri to a 2-0 victory.
It was an organisational blunder of a tournament, yet the Italian’s prevailed on home soil to secure their one and only European Championship title to date.
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