EURO HISTORY

Euro 2008-05-07

History

The first tournament was held in France in 1960. From 17 countries that entered, it was an eastern block monopoly in the final, a theme that would dominate the early decades of the tournament The Soviet Union beat Yugoslavia 2-1. Neither Germany nor Italy entered.

Four years later it was the turn of Spain to play hosts. Ironically Spain had refused to play the Soviets for political reasons in 1960, but they met in the final and the Spanish won 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid. By now there were 29 teams entered although Greece refused to play against Albania because they were at war.

The hosts won again in 1968, this time Italy who beat the Soviet Union on the toss of a coin at the semi finals and then had to replay the final against Yugoslavia after a 1-1 draw. The Italians won out eventually 2-0. England were third, losing in the other semi final.

Germany won their first tournament in 1972 in Belgium beating the Soviet Union 3-0 in the final. This side contained many of the team that would go on to clinch the 1974 World Cup for Germany. Still only four teams contested the finals and England were knocked out in the qualifiers.

Penalty shoot outs arrived for the 1976 tournament and Czechoslavakia beat Germany with a famous chipped penalty by Antonín Panenka after Uli Hoeness had blasted over the bar. England had beaten Czechoslovakia 3-0 at Wembley but lost 2-1 away and draws in both legs against Portugal saw them go out.

Eight teams took part in the 1980 tournament in Italy. For the first time there was a group stage, with the winners of each group going on to contest the final. West Germany won their second European title beating Belgium 2-1 at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. England drew with Belgium, lost to Italy and then beat Spain but ended third placed in their group.

France won their first major title at home in the 1984 tournament, with captain Michel Platini scoring nine goals in five games, including the opening goal in the final, where they beat Spain 2-0. The format changed also, with the top two in each group going through to the semi-finals. The third place play-off was also abolished. England lost to Denmark in the qualifiers which ended their hopes and spent the summer in South America where John Barnes scored his memorable goal against Brazil.

Euro 88 was held in West Germany, but it also saw the emergence of one the great Dutch sides featuring Ruud Gullitt who beat the hosts 2-1 in the semi finals and then the USSR 2-0 at the Olympia Stadion in Munich. Marco Van Basten scored one of the most memorable goals in football history, a spectacular volley over the keeper from the right wing. Van Basten also scored a hat-trick to beat an abject England who also lost to the Republic of Ireland and the USSR.

Sweden hosted the Euro1992. Surprise winners were Denmark, who only made the finals after Yugoslavia had to withdraw because of the civil war. Somehow they managed to beat World Champions Germany 2-0, and holders the Netherlands on penalties in the semi-finals.

For England, this was Graham Taylor’s tournament and high hopes were smashed by injuries to key players such as Paul Gascoigne, John Barnes and Mark Wright.

After playing poorly in a 0-0 draw with Denmark, they faced France and again only scraped another 0-0. They had to beat Sweden to qualify and an early David Platt goal after four minutes gave them hope but they were undone by a header from a corner and then a wonderful one-two with Martin Dahlin, saw Tomas Brolin score.

By 1996 and the tournament doubled in size to 16 teams and was held in England. Terry Venables side energised the whole nation before losing on penalties to West Germany who then beat the newly created Czech Republic 2-1 in the final. Golden goals were tried instead of penalties and Oliver Bierhoff won the game. This was also Germany’s first title as a unified nation.

In 2000 for the first time two countries hosted the tournament - Netherlands and Belgium. France as reigning World Champions were favourites and lived up to expectations when they beat Italy 2-1 after extra time, in an amazing come back from 1-0 down. Sylvain Wiltord equalised in the very last minute and David Trezeguet scored the winner in extra time.

England threw away a two goal lead against Portugal in their opening game and lost 3-2 to Luis Figo’s inspired team. There was a smidgin of revenge in beating Germany with an Alan Shearer goal in the next stage but they were undone again by Romania losing 2-3.

As in ‘92, Euro 2004 produced an upset no one predicted. Greece had only qualified for one World Cup in 1994 and one European Championship in 1980. They were efficient and played well as a team and beat the much fancied stylish hosts 1-0 in the final, and also in the opening game of the tournament. They were 150/1 at the start of the tournament. On their way they also to beat holders France as well as dark horses the Czech Republic with a silver goal, a rule which replaced the previous golden goal in 2003 before being abolished itself shortly after this tournament.

England lost to France, then beat Switzerland and Croatia to qualify. After a 2-2 draw with Portugal they went out 6-5 on penalties. Beckham and Vassell missed.