The beginning of the Euro
The idea of creating a European football championship dates back to the 1920s, but it was not until 1958 that the first concrete proposal was made by Henri Delaunay, general secretary of the French Football Federation (FFF), and UEFA officially adopted the project in 1960.
The first edition of the Euro took place in 1960, but it was called the European Nations Cup at the time. Only four teams took part. Since then, the tournament has evolved from a knockout format to a tournament with a group stage followed by knockout stages, allowing more teams to participate and giving fans more matches to follow.
The Euro has become one of the most prestigious football tournaments in the world, with a huge television audience and considerable popular interest across Europe. It is held every four years, alternating with the FIFA World Cup, and attracts the attention of millions of football fans around the world.
Focus on Euro 96 - England
Euro 96 was a place of glory and drama that remain etched in the collective memory of football fans. Spectacular goals, improbable comebacks and exceptional individual performances fuelled the excitement of the tournament.
Sixteen national teams competed for the title. The matches were played in eight stadiums in eight different cities across England, including London, Manchester, Liverpool and Birmingham.
For the first time in Euro history, the tournament introduced the group stage followed by quarter-finals, instead of the semi-finals directly. This added an extra layer of tension and excitement to the competition.
Among the teams that took part in Euro 96 were traditional favourites such as Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain, as well as emerging teams such as Croatia and the Czech Republic.
And it was Germany who finally lifted the trophy, beating the Czech Republic 2-1 in the final. England also impressed as they reached the semi-finals, captivating fans with some thrilling performances. The tournament was marked by iconic moments and close-fought matches, giving football fans lasting memories.
Highlights of this edition in 1996
England - Spain
The quarter-final of this championship turned out to be a real thriller. After a 0-0 draw at the end of regulation time, the two teams found themselves in extra time. But even after 30 extra minutes, the score remained unchanged. The tension reached its peak in the penalty shootout. Both teams succeeded in their first five shots, but while Spain missed their sixth shot, Gareth Southgate missed his for England, giving Spain the lead. However, England goalkeeper David Seaman managed to save the next shot, allowing England to win 4-2 on penalties and qualify for the semi-finals.
The victory over Spain was wildly celebrated by England fans as they watched their team advance to the top four of the tournament. Although their journey ended on penalties against Germany in the semi-finals, England's feat in 1996 left a lasting mark on English football history, symbolising the passion and courage that the Three Lions are capable of on the international stage.
