List of UEFA European Championship finals
Founded | 1960 |
---|---|
Region | Europe (UEFA) |
Current champions | Italy (2nd title) |
Most successful team(s) | Germany Spain (3 titles each) |
The UEFA European Championship is an association football competition established in 1960. It is contested by the men's national teams of the members of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), the sport's European governing body, and takes place every four years.[a]
The European Championship final is the last match of the competition, and the result determines which country's team is declared European champion. It is a one-off match decided in regulation time. In the event of a
Germany and Spain are the most successful teams in the history of the tournament, winning three times each. France and Italy have each won the competition twice, while six other teams, the Soviet Union, Czechoslovakia, the Netherlands, Denmark, Greece, and Portugal, have triumphed once. Yugoslavia, Belgium and England have qualified for the final without success.
The winners of the first ever final, held in Paris in 1960, were the Soviet Union, who defeated Yugoslavia 2–1 after extra time, while in the latest one, hosted in London in 2021, Italy won over England on penalties following a 1–1 draw after extra time.
History
The first final of the UEFA European Football Championship (then referred to as the European Nations' Cup Final) was contested in July 1960 in Paris between the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia. Milan Galić scored for Yugoslavia just before half-time but Slava Metreveli equalised soon after the break, and the scores remained level, sending the game into extra time. With seven minutes left, Viktor Ponedelnik won the match for the Soviet Union, scoring the winner with a header.[5] The 1960 champions qualified for the final of the 1964 tournament, where they faced hosts Spain. Chus Pereda scored early for the home side, but the match was levelled two minutes later when Galimzyan Khusainov equalised. Nearly 80,000 spectators at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid had to wait for the winner which came six minutes from time, courtesy of a header from Spaniard Marcelino.[6]
The hosts, Italy, faced Yugoslavia in the final of the 1968 tournament, now rebranded as the European Football Championship. Italy had qualified for the final by virtue of winning a coin toss following their goalless semi-final against the Soviet Union. The final ended 1–1, forcing a replay to be conducted two days later. This time Italy triumphed, winning 2–0 with first-half goals from Gigi Riva and Pietro Anastasi.[7] Four years later, the final, held in Brussels, produced a record winning margin that would last for 44 years. The Soviet Union, finalists for the third time in four tournaments, were defeated 3–0 by West Germany with Gerd Müller and Herbert Wimmer scoring the winning goals.[8] The incumbent champions qualified for the final of the 1976 tournament, where they faced Czechoslovakia. A late equaliser from German Bernd Hölzenbein to make it 2–2 saw the game go into extra time and eventually to a penalty shoot-out. After seven successful conversions, Uli Hoeneß missed, leaving Czechoslovakian Antonín Panenka with the opportunity to score and win the tournament. An "audacious" chipped shot,[9] described by UEFA as "perhaps the most famous spot kick of all time" secured the victory as Czechoslovakia won 5–3 on penalties.[10]
Four years later, the final returned to the Stadio Olimpico where West Germany, in their third consecutive final, faced Belgium. Horst Hrubesch scored early in the first half before René Vandereycken equalised for Belgium with a penalty in the second half. With two minutes remaining, Hrubesch headed West Germany into the lead from a Karl-Heinz Rummenigge corner, securing his country's second victory in the championship.[11] The 1984 final, in Paris, featured hosts France against 1964 champions Spain. Two second-half goals, one each from Michel Platini and Bruno Bellone, secured a home victory;[12] Platini ended the tournament with nine goals, the most scored in the championship finals by any player to date.[13] The Netherlands qualified for their first final in the 1988 tournament in West Germany, where they faced the Soviet Union who were playing in their fourth final. Ruud Gullit scored in the first half and Marco van Basten doubled the lead in the second for the Netherlands with a volley which has since been described variously as "stunning",[14] "spectacular",[15] and the "best goal scored in the competition's history".[16] With a 2–0 victory, the Netherlands secured their first "major" title.[17]
Following Yugoslavia's expulsion from the competition in 1992, Denmark were invited to take their place and qualified for the final where they faced a team from the
The 2004 competition saw, according to UEFA, "one of the biggest shocks in tournament history" as Greece defeated hosts Portugal 1–0 in the final.
In UEFA Euro 2020, which was actually held in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe, Italy won their second title after beating first-time finalists England on penalties.
List of finals
a.e.t. | Result after extra time |
g.g. | Match was won with a golden goal during extra time |
pen. | Match was won on a penalty shoot-out |
re. | Match was won after a replay |
Results by nation
Team | Winners | Runners-up | Total finals | Years won | Years runners-up |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Germany[b] | 3 | 3 | 6 | 1996
|
2008
|
Spain | 3 | 1 | 4 | 2012
|
1984
|
Italy | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2020
|
2012
|
France | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2000
|
2016
|
Russia[c] | 1 | 3 | 4 | 1960
|
1988
|
Czech Republic[d] | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1976
|
1996
|
Portugal | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2016
|
2004
|
Netherlands | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1988
|
— |
Denmark | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1992
|
— |
Greece | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2004
|
— |
Serbia[e] | 0 | 2 | 2 | — | 1968
|
Belgium | 0 | 1 | 1 | — | 1980
|
England | 0 | 1 | 1 | — | 2020
|
See also
- UEFA European Championship
- List of FIFA World Cup finals
- List of FIFA Confederations Cup finals
- List of Copa América finals
- List of AFC Asian Cup finals
- List of Africa Cup of Nations finals
- List of CONCACAF Gold Cup finals
Notes
- ^ a b The UEFA Euro 2020 tournament was postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- ^ Three final appearances as West Germany.
- ^ Four final appearances as Soviet Union.
- ^ One final appearance as Czechoslovakia.
- ^ Two final appearances as Yugoslavia.
References
General
- "Regulations of the UEFA European Football Championship 2018–20". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. Archived from the original on 11 May 2021.
- "European Championship". Rec. Sport. Soccer Statistics Foundation (RSSSF). 22 July 2021.
Specific
- ^ Regulations, p. 10.
- guardian.co.uk. London: Guardian News and Media. 28 April 2003. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
- ^ Regulations, pp. 3–4.
- ^ Regulations, p. 4.
- ^ "EURO cult heroes: Viktor Ponedelnik, 1960". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. Archived from the original on 12 December 2020. Retrieved 6 January 2011.
- ^ "Spain savour home comforts". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. Archived from the original on 11 April 2015. Retrieved 14 March 2013.
- ^ "Italy make most of good fortune". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. Archived from the original on 3 March 2020. Retrieved 14 March 2013.
- ^ "West Germany make their mark". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. Archived from the original on 5 March 2020. Retrieved 14 March 2013.
- ^ Dunbar, Graham (2 July 2010). "Abreu's 'Panenka' penalty revives 1976 classic". USA Today. Associated Press. Archived from the original on 9 July 2010. Retrieved 6 January 2012.
- ^ "Panenka the hero for Czechoslovakia". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. Archived from the original on 17 February 2020. Retrieved 14 March 2013.
- ^ "Hrubesch crowns West German win". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. Archived from the original on 11 March 2020. Retrieved 14 March 2013.
- ^ "Platini shines for flamboyant France". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. Archived from the original on 4 March 2020. Retrieved 14 March 2013.
- ^ "Euro History". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. Archived from the original on 6 January 2012. Retrieved 6 January 2012.
- Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 20 June 2008. Archived from the originalon 29 April 2009. Retrieved 6 January 2012.
- ^ "Van Basten baffled by bad luck". Sporting Life. Leeds: 365 Media Group. 2 December 2007. Retrieved 6 January 2012.
- Time Warner. Associated Press. 29 June 2004. Archivedfrom the original on 1 July 2004. Retrieved 6 January 2012.
- ^ "Van Basten sparks Netherlands joy". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. Archived from the original on 26 February 2020. Retrieved 14 March 2013.
- ^ "Denmark late show steals spotlight". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. Archived from the original on 15 February 2013. Retrieved 14 March 2013.
- ^ "Football comes home for Germany". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. Archived from the original on 28 December 2019. Retrieved 14 March 2013.
- ^ "1998 FIFA World Cup France". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. Archived from the original on 14 April 2018. Retrieved 6 January 2012.
- ^ "Trezeguet strikes gold for France". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. Archived from the original on 28 December 2015. Retrieved 14 March 2013.
- ^ "Underdogs Greece have their day". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. Archived from the original on 15 February 2013. Retrieved 14 March 2013.
- Time Warner. Associated Press. 4 July 2004. Archivedfrom the original on 10 October 2011. Retrieved 6 January 2012.
- ^ "Spain deliver on promise at last". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. Archived from the original on 15 February 2013. Retrieved 14 March 2013.
- ^ "Euro 2012 final: Spain v Italy". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 1 July 2012. Archived from the original on 1 July 2012. Retrieved 1 July 2012.
- ^ McNulty, Phil (11 July 2016). "Portugal 1–0 France (AET)". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). Archived from the original on 21 October 2018. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
- Union of European Football Associations. Archivedfrom the original on 28 May 2013. Retrieved 3 January 2012.
- British Broadcasting Corporation. 17 May 2004. Archivedfrom the original on 4 May 2009. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
- Union of European Football Associations. Archivedfrom the original on 25 November 2015. Retrieved 3 January 2012.
- British Broadcasting Corporation. 17 May 2004. Archivedfrom the original on 12 July 2004. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
- Union of European Football Associations. Archivedfrom the original on 12 November 2015. Retrieved 3 January 2012.
- British Broadcasting Corporation. 17 May 2004. Archivedfrom the original on 15 June 2004. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
- Union of European Football Associations. Archivedfrom the original on 3 November 2014. Retrieved 3 January 2012.
- British Broadcasting Corporation. 17 May 2004. Archivedfrom the original on 27 April 2006. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
- Union of European Football Associations. Archivedfrom the original on 17 September 2015. Retrieved 3 January 2012.
- British Broadcasting Corporation. 17 May 2004. Archivedfrom the original on 17 July 2004. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
- Union of European Football Associations. Archivedfrom the original on 24 October 2014. Retrieved 3 January 2012.
- British Broadcasting Corporation. 17 May 2004. Archivedfrom the original on 1 July 2004. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
- Union of European Football Associations. Archivedfrom the original on 3 December 2015. Retrieved 3 January 2012.
- British Broadcasting Corporation. 17 May 2004. Archivedfrom the original on 22 June 2004. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
- Union of European Football Associations. Archivedfrom the original on 25 November 2015. Retrieved 3 January 2012.
- British Broadcasting Corporation. 17 May 2004. Archivedfrom the original on 5 July 2004. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
- Union of European Football Associations. Archivedfrom the original on 14 October 2014. Retrieved 3 January 2012.
- British Broadcasting Corporation. Archivedfrom the original on 18 May 2009. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
- Union of European Football Associations. Archivedfrom the original on 8 May 2015. Retrieved 3 January 2012.
- British Broadcasting Corporation. 17 May 2004. Archivedfrom the original on 22 February 2006. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
- Union of European Football Associations. Archivedfrom the original on 25 November 2015. Retrieved 3 January 2012.
- British Broadcasting Corporation. 24 May 2004. Archivedfrom the original on 5 July 2004. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
- Union of European Football Associations. Archivedfrom the original on 28 September 2015. Retrieved 3 January 2012.
- British Broadcasting Corporation. Archivedfrom the original on 19 February 2009. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
- Union of European Football Associations. Archivedfrom the original on 9 May 2015. Retrieved 3 January 2012.
- British Broadcasting Corporation. Archivedfrom the original on 12 March 2012. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
- ^ "Football fixtures – Uefa 2012 European Championship (Poland & Ukraine)". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 17 May 2012. Retrieved 4 January 2011.
- Union of European Football Associations. Archivedfrom the original on 5 March 2020. Retrieved 14 March 2013.
- ^ Sinnott, John (10 July 2016). "Euro 2016: Portugal crowned champions after Cristiano Ronaldo goes off injured". CNN International. Cable News Network. Archived from the original on 11 July 2016. Retrieved 11 July 2016.
- ^ Kirschbaum, Erik (10 July 2016). "Portugal stuns France, 1–0, in extra time to claim first European Championship title". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 10 July 2016. Retrieved 11 July 2016.
- ^ "Full Time Summary – Italy v England" (PDF). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 11 July 2021. Archived (PDF) from the original on 11 July 2021. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
- ^ "England lose shootout in Euro 2020 final". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 11 July 2021. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
External links
- UEFA EURO 2024 at UEFA.com