British broadcaster ITV has decided to re-air UEFA Euro 96 in its entirety, with all 31 games available on its hub services and England’s matches playing on the ITV4 channel. It’ll undoubtedly lead some fans down the road of nostalgia, especially as the Euros have thrown up some stunning moments down the years.
As we wait for football to return, we expect to see a few more re-airings of classic games and tournaments. In light of that, we have picked four classic games from the Euros’ history, including a Euro 96 cracker, that can take you on a glorious trip down memory lane. You’ll find most of these games, or extended highlights, on sites like YouTube.
1. Euro 2004 – Netherlands 2-3 Czech Republic
A brilliant group game, featuring an excellent Czech side that deserved more than a semi-final exit at the hands of the eventual winner, Greece, and a Dutch team of ridiculous talent. Robben, Davids, Seedorf and Van Nistelrooy started the game, with the Dutch quickly grabbing a 2-0 lead. The Czechs were not daunted, however, and fired back through Jan Koller to trail 2-1 at half-time. Milan Baros equalised on 71 minutes before an unlikely hero, Vladimir Smicer, popped up with a late winner to leave the Oranje shell-shocked. Watching Pavel Nedved pull the strings in this brilliant comeback victory is a thing of beauty.
2. Euro 96 – England 4-1 Netherlands
Perhaps the finest England performance since 1996; this was the game that made fans believe football was coming home. It didn’t, of course, but the current England side – the 5/1 favourites for Euro 2021 – can watch this one back for some inspiration. Shearer and Sheringham were the stars of the show, with the former’s second strike regularly popping up in lists of Shearer’s greatest ever goals. It was vintage Shearer, who lifted it into the top corner, after a bit of magic from Gascoigne and some nous for Sheringham. The entire match is a joy, with the home fans not quite believing the Three Lions were delivering at a major tournament.
3. Euro 2012 – Spain 4-0 Italy
The Spanish team of 2012 was by no means perfect, and, in truth, many fans had begun to tire of tiki-taka and the Spanish way of suffocating opponents with short passing. The Spaniards weren’t great in the early part of the tournament. Still, they came alive when drubbing Germany 4-0 in the semis and went into the final as favourites against a likeable Italian side characterised by Andrea Pirlo’s coolness. There was to be no party for Pirlo, however, as Spain toyed with the Azurri like a bored lion taunting its prey. It was a consummate performance, with Andreas Iniesta acting as the conductor of a wonderful symphony.
4. Euro 92 – Denmark 2-0 Germany
Ok. This one isn’t really about the quality of play, although the game did feature the likes of Brian Laudrup, Jurgen Klinsmann and Andreas Brehme on the pitch. Instead, it’s about the sheer heart of a Danish side that was not supposed to be in the competition nevermind make it to the final. Germany had plenty of chances to score, but the Danes showed no fear against the world champions, constantly testing Bodo Illgner in the German goal. Strikes from Jensen and Vilfort sealed it for Denmark, and the reaction afterwards is a joy to behold. Typical early 90s blood and thunder football, peppered with some magical moments. But it’s the story behind the game that makes it worth another watch.