Some will argue that the Euros lacks some of the colour and unpredictability of the World Cup. There won't even be any Swede fans in their yellow jerseys for cameramen to pick out this year.
However, there have been many great moments over the tournaments lifespan - hopefully a few more great memories will be made this year.
1 - Ray Houghton downs the English
Ireland finally made it to a major tournament in 1988, and their opening game was against England. It took just 6 minutes for the unfancied Irish to take the lead - courtesy of a Houghton header. England couldn't get back into the game and Ireland took a maiden victory. Despite a very good 1-1 draw with the Soviets, a 1-0 defeat knocked the Irish out as England lost 3-1 to Soviet Union.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2Trnxynh34
2 - Poborsky scoop
The Czechs went into Euro 96 as underdogs, and Karel Poborsky was relatively unknown. However, during a quarter final against Portugal, Poborsky produced a piece of magic that had the whole of Europe taking note - not least Manchester United! The Czechs went all the way, ultimately losing the final on golden goal rule to Germany.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-m_wU7eLk8
3 - The Dentists Chair
Heavily criticised for some drunken tomfoolery just before Euro 96, the England squad answered back in the best possible way. Gazza was at the forefront of both, of course. England were 1 up, but Scotland won a penalty. Within moments it was 2-0, and Gazza celebrated his wonder goal by recreating the "dentists chair".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y45fNsKqeKI
4 - Panenka
The Panenka is a well known penalty technique used by many players. Back in the summer of 1976 Panenka was a Czech footballer playing for Bohemians Prague and his name was not well known. Not until, that is, the Euro 76 final went to penalties and he stepped up with the chance to win the tournament. Sepp Maier faced him, but seemingly feeling no pressure, Panenka calmly chipped the ball down the middle with Maier diving to his left. Czechoslovakia won the championship and Panenka made sure his name would be mentioned generations later.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROG4-QPIDgo
5 - John Jensen!!!!
After failing to qualify for Euro 92, Denmark players went off on their holidays. However, political/ethnic unrest in Yugoslavia led to war and the Yugoslavs were disqualified from the tournament. Denmark were suddenly in the finals, but the lack of preparation showed as they laboured to a 0-0 draw with England and a 1-0 defeat to Sweden. However, a win over France was enough to progress and the Danes were beginning to hit form. A tough semi against Netherlands saw a late Rijkaard equaliser taking the game to penalties where Peter Schmeichel was the hero. Going into the final against Germany, Denmark were big underdogs. But when John Jensen smashed in a long range effort miracles really did seem possible. JJ famously joined Arsenal afterwards and scored just once!! Kim Vilfort sealed the win in the second half and the Danes were champions of Europe!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDe2N9ykR6A
6 - Marco van Basten volley!
The Dutch were always the known for playing the best football in Europe, but had not been able to turn that into trophies. In 1988, though, they had something a bit extra - Marco van Basten! A group stage hat-trick and a late, late winner against their old enemies Germany saw the Dutch reach Euro88 final against a Soviet side who had beaten them in their opening game. The final saw Netherlands take the lead from a Guillit bullet header, then they doubled the lead with a thunderbolt volley from MvB early in the second half. Many have said the goal is the greatest Euros goal of all time...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVZdz0fbdcg
7 - The one minute Quarter
119 minutes into the quarter final between Croatia and Turkey a 0-0 and penalties seemed inevitable. Then a young Luka Modric pounced to beat Turkey 'keeper Rustic to the ball and set up a winner for Klasnic. Only it wasn't, as in the time added on for the Croat celebrations, Semih pounced to smash Turkey level!! Penalties were back on the cards, and Modric missed the first kick. Misses from Rakitic and Petric and Turkey netting all 3 of theirs meant they went through.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXq13PjO-FQ
Everyone will have their own memories from Euro's, so please share so we can all enjoy them once more.
Euros - most memorable moments?
posted on 5/6/24
Euro 88 the greatest ever
posted on 5/6/24
Wales beating Belgium 3-1 in 2016. Extraordinary
posted on 5/6/24
England - Holland - 96
Rooney 2004
England - Denmark -2021
Gazza vs Scotland
posted on 5/6/24
For me it'll always be Euro 96 because I was at uni and it was right at the end of the year so I watched pretty much every game I could with mates in various pubs. Plus the excitement of the tournament, the 3 Lions song - magic.
Gazza's goal against Scotland was great but my feeling at the time was relief as much as anything because we were making hard work of that game.
Highlight for me will always be the Holland game. Shearer's goal for 3-0 probably the best moment.
posted on 6/6/24
Alfonso goal in the last minute of the match against Yugoslavia in 2000
Spain were 2-3 down going into injury time & needed to win to qualify for the quarters.
Scored 2 goals in injury time
posted on 6/6/24
Maceda's last minute header against W Germany in '84...knocking the Krauuts out putting Spain into the semis
posted on 6/6/24
comment by manutd1982 (U6633)
posted 21 hours, 17 minutes ago
Dj
That's true, a lot more exotic watching football back when you'd only seen the odd photo of them in World Soccer mag or seen a clip on Transworld Sport.
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or Sgorio on S4C for the Italian & Spanish footy
I used to take a portable TV up in the attic and put the Ariel as high up as I could to be able to get a decent reception
posted on 6/6/24
comment by Irishred (U2539)
posted 20 hours, 37 minutes ago
Euro 88 the greatest ever
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best Euros ever in terms of quality & entertainment was Euro 2000
probably the highest quality international footy tournament I've watched in my 50 years
posted on 6/6/24
comment by Peks - Comanche Moon (U6618)
posted 16 seconds ago
comment by Irishred (U2539)
posted 20 hours, 37 minutes ago
Euro 88 the greatest ever
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best Euros ever in terms of quality & entertainment was Euro 2000
probably the highest quality international footy tournament I've watched in my 50 years
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It was euro 88 case closed especially if you’re Irish
posted on 6/6/24
Greatest single moment for me remains Van Basten's outrageous volley in 88
As for tournaments, as mentioned by a couple of others, Euro 2000 is the best international tournament I've seen, so many dramatic moments, incredible games, great teams performing well and most of europe's best players delivered outstanding performances.
With the way the club games drains the players these days, we may be waiting a long time for another tournament which reaches those heights.