Playing for 90
Fansided

20 Greatest European Championship Moments of All-Time

By Jon O'brien

Famous figures from football history gathered on the pitch before the European Cup final between Leeds United and Bayern Munich, (back row from left) Marquitez, Matt Busby, Miguel Munoz and Keizer, (front row from left) Francisco Gento, Raymond Kopa, Jose Augusto, Alfredo Di Stefano and Ferenc Puskas. (Photo by Central Press/Getty Images)
Famous figures from football history gathered on the pitch before the European Cup final between Leeds United and Bayern Munich, (back row from left) Marquitez, Matt Busby, Miguel Munoz and Keizer, (front row from left) Francisco Gento, Raymond Kopa, Jose Augusto, Alfredo Di Stefano and Ferenc Puskas. (Photo by Central Press/Getty Images) /
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(FILE PHOTO) In this composite image a comparison has been made between images (L-R) 1251624 and 186224564 of Father (L) and Son (R).**LEFT IMAGE*** 11 Aug 1996: Peter Schmeichel of Manchester United celebrates during the FA Charity Shield between Manchester United and Newcastle United at Wembley Stadium in London. Manchester went on to defeat Newcastle by 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Shaun Botterill/Allsport UK***RIGHT IMAGE*** LEICESTER, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 29: Goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel of Leicester City celebrates a Leicester goal during the Capital One Cup fourth round match between Leicester City and Fulham at the King Power Stadium on October 29, 2013 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
(FILE PHOTO) In this composite image a comparison has been made between images (L-R) 1251624 and 186224564 of Father (L) and Son (R).**LEFT IMAGE*** 11 Aug 1996: Peter Schmeichel of Manchester United celebrates during the FA Charity Shield between Manchester United and Newcastle United at Wembley Stadium in London. Manchester went on to defeat Newcastle by 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Shaun Botterill/Allsport UK***RIGHT IMAGE*** LEICESTER, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 29: Goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel of Leicester City celebrates a Leicester goal during the Capital One Cup fourth round match between Leicester City and Fulham at the King Power Stadium on October 29, 2013 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) /

Denmark sneak through the backdoor

Marco van Basten would also play a significant role – albeit one which he’d much rather forget – in Euro 1992, a tournament responsible for perhaps one of football’s most remarkable underdog stories.

Having failed to qualify for the finals, Denmark then snuck through the backdoor following the break-up of Yugoslavia, but were expected to be sent packing in an even quicker fashion than they had arrived.

However, with no pressure placed upon them, the Danes went onto finish ahead of England and France in the group stage, while Peter Schmeichel became a national hero when he saved van Basten’s spot-kick in a dramatic semi-final shoot-out against the Dutch holders.

Denmark were still being written off as no-hopers by some in the final, but proved they weren’t there just to make up the numbers once and for all by beating world champions Germany 2-0, with a spectacular opening goal from John Jensen proving to be the icing on the Danish pastry.

Next: Šuker’s cheeky chip