Germany is holding the UEFA European Championship for the second time ever this summer, and as is tradition, the host nation is involved in the curtain-raising opening game. Die Mannschaft take on Scotland at the Allianz Arena in Munich, with the German nation expecting a positive start and a positive Euro 2024 tournament from Julian Nagelsmann’s men. Will Germany use the nation’s football passion and fervour to their advantage, or will the pressure prove too great? If they succeed, they will become the first sole hosts to lift the trophy since France in 1984.
Embed from Getty ImagesHenri Delaunay’s Dream Comes To Fruition
Henri Delaunay, the secretary-general of the French Football Federation, had suggested the idea of a European continental tournament in the 1920s. However, the first ever European Championship wouldn’t take place until 1960, after his death. 17 nations entered the qualifying phase, but only 4 would feature in the Finals held on French soil. It would be an inauspicious start for the host nation, as France would lose their semi-final against Yugoslavia, and then lose their 3rd place play-off against Czechoslovakia. The Soviet Union would reign supreme as the first ever Henri Delaunay Trophy winners.
The 4-team Finals format would remain in place for another four European tournaments (1964, 1968, 1972 & 1976) and during that time Spain and Italy would host and claim the trophy. The 1964 edition was played on Spanish soil. In a dramatic final at the Bernabeu, Spain, in front of an 80,000 crowd which included General Franco, would defeat the defending champions the Soviet Union 2-1. Reigning World Cup champions England would reach the 1968 Finals held in Italy, but Alf Ramsey’s Three Lions had to settle for 3rd place after losing to Yugoslavia in the Florence semi-final. Hosts Italy, who won their semi-final on a ‘coin toss’, required a replay in the Final, but finally saw off Yugoslavia to claim the crown.
Embed from Getty ImagesPlatini’s Posse Sweep To Success On Home Turf
The 1972, 1976 & 1980 Finals’ hosts (Belgium, Yugoslavia and Italy) all lost at the semi-final stage and failed to reach the Final. However, in 1984, France, who were holding the European Championship for a second occasion, got their act together in style. Michel Platini’s men, who had suffered World Cup semi-final penalty heartache two years earlier, were now crying tears of joy in Paris. The French won all five of their games (there were now 8 sides at the Finals, with a group stage included) en route to lifting the trophy.
It would be another 20 years before a host nation reached a European Championship Final again. During those barren years, all the hosts would fall at the semi-final hurdle, including Terry Venables’ England side of 1996. Gareth Southgate missing a penalty against Germany as England’s spot-kick woes continued. Euro 2004 was held in Portugal and Luiz Felipe Scolari’s men would buck the trend, beating the Dutch in the semis, to reach the Final.
They would lock horns with tournament dark horses Greece for the crown and the Portuguese were heavy favourites. However, the Greeks, who hadn’t conceded during the knockouts remained rock solid at the back. A second half header from Angelos Charisteas proved to be enough to seal the victory and the title for Otto Rehhagel’s men in one of the biggest shock wins in European Championship history.
Expansion In The Finals Format Heaps Pressure On The Hosts
Four years later, in 2008, Austria and Switzerland would co-host the Euros. Infamously, they would become the first hosts since a group stage was included in the 1980 tournament, to fail to reach the knockouts. The Swiss would win their final game, but still finished bottom of their group. Austria finished 3rd in their respective group, although they only picked up a solitary point.
2012 co-hosts Poland and Ukraine didn’t fare any better. Poland, like Austria, failed to win a single game. Ukraine did beat Sweden in their tournament opener, but in a tough group that also included England and France, they would only finish 3rd and therefore bowed out.
France would host the European Championships for a third occasion in 2016. Didier Deschamps men topped their group, following wins over Romania, Albania and a draw against Switzerland. Knockout victories over Ireland, Iceland and Germany saw them book a place in the Final, where they would face the 2004 runners-up Portugal. This time Portugal were the host nation party-poopers. In a tense and nail-biting Final, Eder scored the only goal of the game in extra-time to send the Portuguese wild. There were multiple hosts for the 2020 Euros (played in 2021 because of COVID), as the European Championship celebrated it’s 60th anniversary. England’s 50+ years of hurt almost came to an end. Italy though would put a dagger through the hearts of the thousands watching the Final at Wembley.
Embed from Getty ImagesWill Germany Sink Or Swim As Euro 2024 Hosts?
Germany failed to reach the Quarter-Final stage of the previous three major tournaments. Amazingly they didn’t qualify from their groups at the 2018 and 2020 World Cups. They were also beaten by England in the Round of 16 at Euro 2020. An expectant German nation won’t except a lacklustre performance on home turf this summer.
Germany haven’t played a competitive game since losing to Japan at the World Cup in Qatar. However, there have been some promising performances in friendly encounters over the past year or so. Die Mannschaft have beaten France twice, home and away, in the past 8 months. They also saw off the Netherlands at the end of March.
The squad has a nice mixture of youth and experience. 21-year-olds Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz are two of the brightest young attacking talents at Euro 2024. They could scare some defences silly over the coming weeks. At the other end of the scale, they have a vastly experienced backbone with the likes of Manuel Neuer, Antonio Rüdiger, Toni Kroos & skipper İlkay Gündoğan in their ranks.
Are You Ready For The Football Fiesta?
All 51 Euro 2024 matches will be screened live on BBC or ITV. We kick off with Germany v Scotland this Friday (14th) at 8pm. England kick off their campaign against Serbia this Sunday (16th) at 8pm (BBC).
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