In the first of a four part series, Aidan Farrelly looks back on European Championships of the past starting with Euro 1996 in England. 

EURO 1996

Groups:

Champions Summary:

Germany secured the win in this tournament having topped Group C. They played all their matches in Old Trafford, beginning with a 2-0 win over the Czech Republic. Jurgen Klinsmann scored a brace in Germany’s 3-0 win over Russia, which was followed by a 0-0 draw with Italy in the final game of the group stage.

Having gone through this stage without conceding, Germany raced in to pole position although it took a winner from Matthias Sammer to overcome Croatia in the Quarter-Final 2-1.

Both Semi-Finals remarkably went to a penalty shootout, and many will remember Gareth Southgate stepping up to miss his spot kick, granting the Germans a place in the final following a 0-0 draw.

A golden goal from Oliver Bierhoff would give Germany a 2-1 win over fellow group members Czech Republic in the final in Wembley.

Stats Corner:

6 – Six countries made their debuts at this tournament, including Bulgaria, Switzerland and Turkey.

64 – Goals scored throughout the Finals.

0 – Turkey failed to score in any of their three group games.

1 – England and Germany had just one effort on target each during their Semi-Final, both efforts hitting the net.

What Happened To Ireland?

John Aldridge scored a brace to get Ireland off to the perfect start in Qualifying with a 3-0 win over Latvia. A 4-0 follow up win over Liechtenstein, before a 4-0 victory over Northern Ireland and signs were positive in terms of qualification. Ireland secured a memorable 1-0 win over Portugal in Lansdowne Rd in 1995 to continue the push.

Hopes of topping the group took a triple blow however, with a 0-0 draw with Lichtenstein before a double defeat to Austria dashed such aspirations.

On the 13^th December 1995, Patrick Kluivert scored twice to give Holland a 2-0 win over Ireland in the play-off, a heartbreaking result for Irish fans in Anfield.

Goals Reel