Most memorable moments in the Euros

The Euros finals have produced some of the most memorable moments in footballing history with the biggest international competition in Europe delivering time and time again.

Here’s our run through of the best.

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The Panenka

One of the most iconic moments in the history of football, the Panenka Penalty. In 1976 Antonin Panenka rewrote the rules of taking penalties, whilst taking the deciding spot kick for the European Championship final. The Czech midfielder sprinted up to the penalty spot, but instead of firing goal wards, he deftly chipped the ball down the middle and wrote himself into euro final history. The West Germany keeper had anticipated a shot to the corner and had already dived out of the way as the ball gently nestled in the back of the net to seal the Euros final.

Marco Van Basten’s wonder goal

The three time Ballon D’or winner, is responsible for the best volley ever scored in the European Championships, if not World football. During the Euro 88’ final, the Netherlands held a precarious lead over the USSR, until Marco Van Basten planted his left foot and unleashed one of the most revered strikes in football. He rifled the ball over the keeper and wheeled away in pure elation knowing that he had just sealed the euro final history.

Underdogs Denmark come out on top

In Euro 1992, Denmark didn’t even qualify for the Euro Championships, but after the Yugoslavian team were prohibited from taking part, they were given the call up, no one expected what happened next. Denmark shocked Europe and the world when progressing all the way to the finals, where they came up against the formidable German team. But John Jensen’s wonder strike will forever be remembered in Danish folklore and Denmark will be a permanent fixture in the history of the euro finals.

Greece Emulating the Danish shock of 92’

Greece have never been famed for their footballing prowess, whether that be at club level or international level. However, this did not stop them from causing one of the biggest upsets in European Championship history when they entered the tournament as 150/1 outsiders in 2004. Greece had previously never won a match at a major international tournament, fast forward four weeks and this Greek team were more famous than Plato after doggedly beating the Portuguese in a final that featured some of the biggest names in world football including, Deco, Luis Figo and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Portuguese redemption in 2016

The Portuguese team suffered agony in 2004 when losing in the euro final to Greece with their team of superstars. They then lost to their fierce rivals Spain in a penalty shootout in the semi-final in Euro 2012. Somehow the Portuguese team scarped through their group at Euro 2016 without winning a single game and look destined for further failure. After limping through the knockout stages they were reliant on Cristiano Ronaldo and his goals and match winning performances. But just 10 minutes into the final, Ronaldo was forced of injured after a bone crunching tackle that not only had crushed his spirits, but that of his teammates and all the Portuguese fans. However, Ronaldo turned from a player to assistant manager in the space of minutes becoming more and more animated and vocal as the game went on. Finally, Eder ended Portugal’s luckless run at international tournaments with an extra time wonder strike that broke French hearts and reduced Portuguese football’s biggest supporter, Ronaldo, to tears and his emotional rollercoaster was complete.