In the eyes and minds of all Italians there is still that magical evening of Sunday 11 July 2021, when Roberto Mancini’s Azzurri at Wembley they raised the second European title in history to the sky. A competition that our national team won again after over forty years: it was the 1968, the third edition ever played in our country, Ferruccio Valcareggi’s team went to the final by beating the USSR with Facchetti who chose heads, then in the last act after the draw there was a repeat of the match (not penalties existed) with the decisive goals by Riva and Anastasi. Now the guys from Luciano Spallettiready to make their debut against Albania, are called to a feat: to win two consecutive titles, a feat only achieved by Spain in 2008 and 2012.
Giacinto Facchetti with the European Championship trophy: Italy won in 1968
Euro 2024 It will be there seventeenth edition of the continental tournament and, after the traveling edition, it will once again be organized by a single host country, Germany. There first edition it was in 1960won byUnion Soviet, and until 1976 there were only four national teams participating in the final phase. They then became eight from 1980 to 1992, a further increase to sixteen from the ’96 edition to 2012, while from the 2016 edition, the one won by Portugal, to date twenty-four national teams have started.
Learn more:
The history of the European Football Championships: when they exist and who won the first edition
Germany and Spain leaders, Italy immediately behind
Sixteen editions held and ten total winners. While waiting to understand whether a team that has already got its hands on the trophy will win at Euro 2024 or whether it will be the first time, let’s see theroll of honor of the Europeans of football from 1960 to today.
1960 – Soviet Union
1964 – Spain
1968 – ITALY
1972 – West Germany
1976 – Czechoslovakia
1980 – West Germany
1984 – France
1988 – Holland
1992 – Denmark
1996 – Germany
2000 – France
2004 – Greece
2008 – Spain
2012 – Spain
2016 – Portugal
2021 – ITALY
With the triumph at Euro 2020, theItaly brought his total to twoExactly like France. They do Better only Germany and Spain: the Germans, pre-unification, won the third and fifth edition and then also in 1996, while the Red Furies first in 1964 and then the double success a few editions ago. Only one victory for: Czechoslovakia, Holland, Denmark, Greece and Portugal. Each of these victories has a fascinating story to say the least: Czechoslovakia who in the first final ended with spot kicks won thanks to the famous “penalty to Panenka”; the very strong Netherlands of Van Basten, Rijkaard and Gullit, a trio that the Rossoneri side of Milan knows very well. But still, the Danes who won in 1992 from recoverywith the players recalled from holidays, in the final against the world champions Germany with Schmeichel which prevents the impossible and which he changed the rules to football since previously it was allowed for the goalkeeper to catch the ball with his hands in back passes and Kasper’s father used this ploy to waste time. Arriving in recent times, the Hellenic victory in 2004 with Angelos Charisteas who scored the decisive goal against Ronaldo, Deco and Figo’s Portugal. The Selection of Quinas he will then lift the trophy in 2016 against the much more highly rated France thanks to goal in the 109th minute by Eder, with Cristiano Ronaldo being replaced in the twenty-fifth minute due to injury. This is the past, now we will see what new stories this seventeenth edition of the European championship will tell us.
Learn more:
Euro 2024, focus on Germany: who are the best players, the promises, who earns the most
