Euro Football Champions: A History of European Championship Legends
The UEFA European Championship has a rich and storied history, filled with legendary players and unforgettable moments. Let’s delve into the annals of this prestigious tournament and celebrate some of its most iconic figures, the heroes who have etched their names into Euro folklore.
Lev Yashin: The Revolutionary Goalkeeper of Euro 1960
The inaugural European Championship in France in 1960 was illuminated by the brilliance of one man: Lev Yashin. In an era where goalkeepers were largely confined to their six-yard box, Yashin redefined the role, becoming a true pioneer. He wasn’t just a shot-stopper; Yashin was an active participant, venturing out of his area to challenge attackers and organizing his defense with the authority of a field marshal.
Lev Yashin, the legendary Soviet Union goalkeeper, represented his nation from 1954 to 1970, amassing 78 international caps. His exceptional performances were instrumental in the Soviet Union’s triumph at the first ever European Championship in 1960. Famously, Yashin quipped that the only thing better than seeing Gagarin in space was saving a crucial penalty, highlighting his passion and dedication to his craft. He remains the only goalkeeper to have ever won the Ballon d’Or, a testament to his unparalleled talent and impact on football.
Luis Suarez: Spain’s Midfield Maestro at Euro 1964
Spain hosted the 1964 European Championship, and the tournament’s standout performer was Luis Suarez. While the name might conjure images of the Uruguayan striker for modern fans, this Luis Suarez was a sophisticated midfielder, a different kind of footballing royalty. Already a star at Barcelona, Suarez made a world-record transfer to Inter Milan in 1961, becoming a key figure in their legendary “Grande Inter” side.
Luis Suarez, the Spanish midfielder, scored 14 goals in 32 appearances for his national team. Before leading Spain to Euro 1964 glory, Suarez had already accumulated an impressive trophy cabinet at Inter Milan, including three Serie A titles, two European Cups, and two Intercontinental Cups. In 1964, he added the European Championship to his collection, orchestrating Spain’s midfield with vision and precision. Spain would wait another 44 years for major international silverware, finally ending their drought at Euro 2008.
Italy 1968: The Dawn of Penalty Shootouts in Euro History
Italy hosted the 1968 European Championship, a tournament that inadvertently led to a significant change in football. The Azzurri, aided by a considerable amount of luck, emerged victorious, ending a 30-year wait for a major international trophy since the 1938 World Cup. In a four-team tournament, Italy reached the final after controversially progressing past the Soviet Union via a coin toss after a 0-0 semi-final draw. The final itself against Yugoslavia ended 1-1.
Italy’s victory at the 1968 European Championship indirectly led to the formal adoption of penalty shootouts in all major football tournaments. Due to no coin toss being conducted after the drawn final, a replay was ordered two days later, which Italy won. This unusual situation prompted football’s rule-makers to introduce penalty shootouts as a definitive tie-breaker. While Yugoslavia’s Dragan Dzajić was a standout player, Euro 1968 is perhaps best remembered for the circumstances surrounding Italy’s triumph and the birth of the penalty shootout era.
Gerd Müller: The Torpedo of Euro 1972
Belgium had the honor of hosting the 1972 European Championship. Fans in the stands and millions watching on television were captivated by the scoring prowess of West Germany’s prolific striker, Gerd Müller. Known as “Der Bomber,” Müller was a force of nature in the penalty area.
Gerd Müller’s goalscoring records stood for decades, a testament to his lethal finishing ability. Müller’s predatory instincts and unerring accuracy in front of goal were on full display at Euro 1972. He scored twice in the semi-final against Belgium and repeated the feat in the final against the Soviet Union, securing West Germany’s first European Championship title. With 68 goals in 62 international matches, Müller’s legacy as one of football’s greatest ever goalscorers remains firmly intact, despite some of his records being surpassed in recent years.
Antonin Panenka: The Inventor of a Penalty Icon at Euro 1976
In 1976, Czechoslovakia was crowned European champions in Belgrade, in a final that delivered a moment of pure footballing innovation. In a tense penalty shootout, Bayern Munich’s Uli Hoeness missed his penalty, putting Czechoslovakia on the brink of victory. They needed just one more successful penalty to secure the title.
Antonin Panenka, the namesake of the iconic “Panenka penalty,” scored 17 goals in 59 games for Czechoslovakia. Antonin Panenka stepped up, and in a moment that would forever change penalty-taking, he gently chipped the ball down the middle of the goal as the West German goalkeeper Sepp Maier dived to his left. This audacious, never-before-seen penalty technique not only won Czechoslovakia the European Championship but also cemented Panenka’s name in football history, giving birth to the legendary “Panenka penalty.”
Horst Hrubesch: The Working-Class Hero of Euro 1980
Italy once again hosted the European Championship in 1980, and West Germany emerged victorious once more, this time with Horst Hrubesch as their unlikely hero. In an era often associated with elegant football, Hrubesch represented raw power and determination, earning the moniker “The Ugly King.”
Horst Hrubesch scored 6 goals in 21 appearances for the West Germany national team, proving to be a crucial player despite his late rise to prominence. Hrubesch’s strength in the air and relentless work ethic were his defining characteristics. He had a late breakthrough in professional football, rising from amateur leagues to the Bundesliga at 24 and the national team at 28. Despite being a relatively late bloomer, coach Jupp Derwall placed his trust in Hrubesch, and the striker repaid that faith by scoring both goals in the final against Belgium, securing West Germany’s second European Championship title.
Michel Platini: The Record-Breaking Maestro of Euro 1984
Euro 1984 was France’s tournament, and the architect of their triumph was Michel Platini. The brilliant playmaker scored an unprecedented nine goals in just five matches, showcasing his exceptional technique, vision, and free-kick prowess, including his signature “falling leaf” shot.
Michel Platini still holds the record for the most goals scored in a single European Championship tournament. Platini’s mesmerizing performances led Les Bleus to their first major international trophy on home soil. His nine goals remain a European Championship record, a testament to his individual brilliance and his pivotal role in France’s historic victory. His free-kick goal against Spain in the final, aided by a rare error from Spanish goalkeeper Luis Arconada, is an enduring image of the tournament, highlighting both Platini’s genius and the unforgiving nature of goalkeeping.
Netherlands 1988: Van Basten’s Goal of the Century
The 1988 European Championship, the last major tournament before the fall of the Berlin Wall, witnessed the Netherlands finally achieve major international success. Inspired by the iconic trio of Frank Rijkaard, Ruud Gullit, and Marco van Basten, the Oranje delivered a captivating brand of “Total Football.”
The Dutch trio of Gullit, Van Basten, and Rijkaard propelled the Netherlands to Euro 1988 victory and later dominated European club football with AC Milan. The Dutch team, built around the Milan-bound trio of Rijkaard, Gullit, and Van Basten, first dazzled in Germany and then went on to dominate club football with AC Milan. Marco van Basten, the tournament’s top scorer, etched his name into Euro legend with his breathtaking volley in the final against the Soviet Union, a goal widely considered one of the greatest in European Championship history.
Peter Schmeichel: The Rock of Denmark’s Euro 1992 Miracle
Sweden hosted the 1992 European Championship, the first in Scandinavia. In a stunning turn of events, the trophy went to Denmark, a team that hadn’t even qualified initially. Due to Yugoslavia’s UN sanctions, Denmark, who finished second in their qualifying group, were given a late call-up on May 30, 1992, just ten days before the tournament began. Against all odds, they went on to defeat Germany in the final, creating one of football’s greatest underdog stories.
Peter Schmeichel, Denmark’s goalkeeper from 1987 to 2001, played a pivotal role in their improbable Euro 1992 triumph. Peter Schmeichel, the towering goalkeeper, was the cornerstone of Denmark’s miraculous Euro 1992 campaign. His commanding presence and exceptional shot-stopping ability were crucial to their unexpected success. Euro 1992 marked the beginning of Schmeichel’s rise to global stardom, solidifying his reputation as one of the world’s best goalkeepers.
Euro 96: Football Returns Home, Germany Prevails
Euro 96 was held in England, the birthplace of football. Fueled by Alan Shearer’s goals, the home nation progressed through the tournament, only to suffer familiar penalty heartbreak in the semi-finals against Germany, who advanced to the final.
Alan Shearer spearheaded England’s attack at their home Euro 96 tournament, becoming the top scorer. In the Wembley final, Oliver Bierhoff’s golden goal in extra time secured Germany’s third European Championship title. While Matthias Sammer was named player of the tournament, Euro 96 is often remembered for Shearer’s prolific scoring and England’s agonizing exit, highlighting the enduring drama of major tournaments.
France 2000: Golden Goal Glory, Another French Triumph
Belgium and the Netherlands co-hosted Euro 2000, and for the second consecutive tournament, the final was decided by a golden goal. David Trezeguet’s extra-time strike against Italy clinched the title for France.
Zinedine Zidane, with 31 goals in 108 caps for France, was the star of their Euro 2000 winning team. Fresh off their 1998 World Cup victory, Les Bleus completed a remarkable double, conquering both world and European football. Zinedine Zidane was the undisputed star of the tournament, his sublime skill and creative genius illuminating every match he played. With Zidane at the helm, France cemented their status as the dominant force in world football at the turn of the millennium.
Greece 2004: The Ultimate Underdogs Shock Europe
Euro 2004 in Portugal produced arguably the biggest shock in European Championship history. Against all expectations, Greece, a team given virtually no chance of success, defied the odds to lift the trophy, writing a fairytale story for the ages.
Despite criticism for their defensive style, Greece’s team spirit and tactical discipline led them to an improbable Euro 2004 victory. Under German coach Otto Rehhagel, Greece employed a highly organized and defensively resolute style of football, frustrating opponents and capitalizing on set-pieces. While criticized by some for their pragmatic approach, their unwavering team spirit and tactical discipline proved incredibly effective. Milan Baroš finished as top scorer, and Greece captain Theodoros Zagorakis was named player of the tournament, but the true hero was Rehhagel, the architect of this unprecedented triumph.
Euro 2008: Spain’s Tiki-Taka Era Begins
Euro 2008, co-hosted by Switzerland and Austria, was notable for the emergence of a new force in European football: Spain. While Turkey’s dramatic late goals and semi-final run captivated audiences, ultimately, it was Spain who ended years of underachievement to claim their first major title since 1964.
Turkey defeated Croatia on penalties in the Euro 2008 quarter-finals before losing to Germany in the semi-finals. Under the guidance of Luis Aragones and inspired by the midfield genius of Xavi Hernandez, Spain showcased a mesmerizing passing style known as “tiki-taka.” Xavi orchestrated the Spanish midfield with unparalleled vision and precision, laying the foundation for Spain’s golden era. Aragones paved the way for Vicente del Bosque, who continued Spain’s dominance in subsequent tournaments.
Spain 2012: Defending Champions Make History
Euro 2012, co-hosted by Poland and Ukraine, saw Spain achieve another historic milestone, becoming the first nation to successfully defend the European Championship title. In a dominant final performance, Spain defeated Italy at the Olympic Stadium in Kiev. Xabi Alonso, Cesc Fabregas, and Fernando Torres were among the standout players, but Andres Iniesta was crowned player of the tournament.
Spanish star Andres Iniesta was named the Most Valuable Player of Euro 2012, recognizing his outstanding performances. Iniesta, alongside his midfield partner Xavi, delivered another masterclass in midfield control and creative playmaking. His performances at Euro 2012 cemented his legacy as one of the greatest midfielders of all time, and Spain’s victory further solidified their place as the dominant force in international football.
Ricardo Quaresma, who had a spell at Besiktas, and Cristiano Ronaldo celebrate Portugal’s Euro 2016 win. Euro 2016 in France saw Portugal, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, emerge victorious. Antoine Griezmann of France was the tournament’s top scorer with six goals. However, in the final, Ronaldo’s Portugal defeated Griezmann’s France 1-0, despite Ronaldo leaving the field injured in the first half. Eder’s extra-time goal in the 109th minute proved to be the winner, making the final a truly memorable occasion. UEFA’s team of the tournament included Rui Patrício, Jérôme Boateng, Joshua Kimmich, Raphaël Guerreiro, Pepe, Antoine Griezmann, Dimitri Payet, Toni Kroos, Joe Allen, Aaron Ramsey, and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Euro 2020: Donnarumma’s Heroics Lead Italy to Victory
Italian footballers celebrate their Euro 2020 championship victory. Euro 2020, postponed to 2021 due to the pandemic, was unique, held across 11 host cities in 11 different countries under the motto “Euro for Europe.” These host nations included Germany, Azerbaijan, Denmark, Netherlands, England, Scotland, Spain, Italy, Hungary, Romania, and Russia. Cristiano Ronaldo, despite Portugal’s title defense ending early, became the tournament’s top scorer with five goals, adding to his overall record as the all-time leading scorer in European Championship history with 14 goals. In the London final, England once again suffered penalty shootout heartbreak, as Italy secured their second European Championship title. Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma’s penalty saves against Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka proved decisive, earning him the player of the tournament award.