Since the very first edition of the European Championship, we as football fans have been blessed with some unforgettable moments. Europe’s biggest venue of football has seen underdogs’ winning it all, incredible goals, breathtaking endings, and emotional outbursts. While we are assured that we will be delighted with a series of incredible moments in the EURO 2020 as well, we want to take you down memory lane. Here in this article, we have listed the most unforgettable moments in the European Championship. Let’s jump in.

The Birth of the Panenka Penalty

Football fans are familiar with the Panenka technique used in penalty kicks. It is both eye-pleasing and quite risky. The name of this technique was coined after Antonin Panenka who successfully used this technique for the first time ever in EURO 1976. What is even cooler is that the Czechoslovakian tried this in the final match against Germany. Happily, he succeeded in scoring the penalty kick by tricking the goalie and helped his team claim the title.

Greece winning the EURO 2004

One of the biggest surprises in European Championship history came in 2004. At that time, Greece defeated the host team Portugal in the final to win their first-ever major title. Being the underdogs all along, Greece had displayed one of the best defensive performances in the history of the tournament. It was already shocking when they beat Portugal in the opening game. Later on, they proved this was not a one-off by upsetting the host nation once again in the final. UEFA EURO 2004 will always be remembered.

The Coin Toss

Back then when the penalty kicks were not practiced, the winner used to be decided by a coin toss. It was the rule when no team managed to come out on top after the regular and extra time. The most unforgettable toss-up came in the 1968 European Championship. Italy and the Soviet Union faced each other in the semi-finals of this tournament. Teams failed to find the net and after the 0-0 draw, Italy was decided to be the winner of the tournament after the famous coin toss. Yes, this really happened!

The Head-Butt

Zidane’s head butt in the 2006 World Cup Final might be the best we have ever seen but let’s not forget Amoros’ in the 1984 European Championship. Although we do not like to see dirty plays in the pitch, it would be absurd to deny that the head butts always make the headlines. In the 1984 European Championship, Manuel Amoros lost his control and head-butted Denmark’s, Jesper Olsen. He failed his teammates but he certainly made his mark in the history of this tournament. It is also strange that two of the most famous head butts came from French players.

Van Basten’s Volley

It is acknowledged by most football fans that the Netherlands national team between the 1970s and 1980s played the most pleasant football ever. We witnessed one of the most remarkable Netherlands teams in Euro 1988. The team defeated USSR in the final and claimed the title. Winning the title is great but the first thing we all remember about this tournament is Van Basten’s volley in the final. What a screamer it was!