The European Championship reaches its conclusion this weekend as Spain face England in the final of Euro 2024.
A month of unforgettable international action concludes at the Olympiastadion in Berlin, as the two teams battle it out for the trophy. Finals can often be cagey affairs but the European Championship decider has provided some unforgettable final moments in its history.
Here are five of the best European Championship finals ever.
Czechoslovakia 2-2 West Germany, 5-3 pens (1976)
Antonín Panenka etched his name into football lexicon forever with an audacious moment of magic that crowned Czechoslovakia European champions in 1976. The midfielder’s chipped spot-kick settled the shootout to coin the ‘Panenka penalty’ phrase still used today.
An entertaining final had gone to penalties after world champions West Germany had fought back from two goals down to force extra-time. Ján Švehlík and Karol Dobiaš had put the Czechs in control inside 25 minutes before Gerd Muller reduced the deficit.
Bernd Hölzenbein’s 89th-minute header forced the additional period and with no further score, a shootout determined the victors. After Uli Hoeneß blazed his kick over the crossbar, Panenka showed nerves of steel to lift his effort down the middle and seal the trophy.
Who else has taken a penalty like this❓
⚽️ Antonín Panenka scored the infamous penalty #OTD in 1976! pic.twitter.com/XJIJIOX5GI
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) June 20, 2020
Netherlands 2-0 Soviet Union (1988)
The Netherlands won their first major title in style at Euro ’88 with their final win over the Soviet Union including arguably the greatest goal the European Championship has witnessed. The Dutch had lost their opening fixture of the tournament to the Soviet Union, but bounced back with impressive victories over the likes of England and hosts West Germany to set up a rematch in the final.
Ruud Gullit headed the Oranje in front at the Olympiastadion in Munich before Marco van Basten’s sublime strike sealed the win. Van Basten executed an exquisite volley from near the byline, connecting perfectly with a cross-field ball to score spectacularly.
???? This Marco van Basten golazo! ????@OnsOranje | #FlashbackFriday pic.twitter.com/wZ2sGQMzvY
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) July 8, 2022
It is a goal that has been replayed and replayed and will continue to be for decades to come.
90s Hitmen: Marco van Basten – The Swan of Utrecht
Denmark 2-0 Germany (1992)
The 1992 European Championship saw Denmark crowned champions in a footballing fairy tale.
The Danes had failed to qualify for the tournament after finishing as runners-up to Yugoslavia in qualification, but the latter’s expulsion amid war in the Balkans saw Denmark hastily brought off the beach as their replacement.
Amid limited expectations, Denmark progressed to the final where world champions Germany awaited in the decider. Again, despite all the odds against them, Denmark triumphed as goals from John Jensen and Kim Vilfort sealed a 2-0 win.
It is a story unlikely to ever be repeated.
???????? #OTD in 1992 ????
Goals from John Jensen (????) and Kim Vilfort completed the fairy tale as Denmark lifted the EURO 1992 trophy!
⏪ @dbulandshold pic.twitter.com/2kOCMRu7em
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) June 26, 2020
Euro ’92: The brothers Laudrup and a very Danish fairy tale
France 2-1 Italy, AET (2000)
France cemented their place as one of international football’s great teams in dramatic fashion after scoring a Golden Goal winner in the Euro 2000 final.
Les Bleus added the European Championship to their World Cup win on home soil two years earlier, surviving a scare to beat Italy in an unforgettable final. Italy had led in the decider through Marco Delvecchio’s close-range finish, and France required a last-gasp equaliser from Sylvain Wiltord to force extra time.
David Trezeguet was the hero with one of the sweetest strikes seen in a European final. The French forward instinctively hammered home Robert Pires’ cut-back to crown France champions and break Italian hearts.
⏰ 103′
⚽️ David Trezeguet
???? EURO 2000 https://t.co/0SjQvDKlxd pic.twitter.com/nknM3Jjo2R— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) January 27, 2021
Euro 2000 – Zidane’s zenith as France reign supreme
Greece 1-0 Portugal (2004)
Greece can rival Denmark for the European Championship’s greatest underdog tale after Otto Rehhagel’s resolute team upset the odds in 2004.
Greece were huge outsiders to even qualify out of a tough group that featured both host nation Portugal and a talented Spain side but built on a shock opening win over the former to progress. In the knockout rounds, Greece stunned holders France and a free-scoring Czech Republic, to set up a final rematch with the Portuguese.
???????? EURO 2004 ????
Angelos Charisteas scored the only goal in the EURO 2004 final as Greece were crowned champions!#OTD | @EthnikiOmada pic.twitter.com/xhN6BWiCi7
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) July 4, 2020
In front of an expectant Lisbon crowd, Greece ruined the Portuguese party as Angelos Charisteas headed home the winner for the set-piece specialists. It was a staggering achievement that two decades on still feels improbable.
Read – Euro 2004 – Charisteas completes Greek miracle in Lisbon
See more – 10 European Championship records broken at Euro 2024
