Everybody loves an underdog and the European Championship has had its fair proportion of surprises through the years.
Despite the fact that the Euros is usually thought of essentially the most tough worldwide match to win after the World Cup, some much less fancied sides have come by to take the trophy.
Others have surpassed expectations by making it by to the ultimate, to the final 4, to the knockout phases, and even simply by qualifying within the first place,
Here’s a have a look at a few of the greatest underdogs within the historical past of the European Championship…
33. Latvia (Euro 2004)
Latvia beat Turkey over two legs in a play-off to qualify for Euro 2004 and seal a first-ever main match look for the tiny Baltic nation.
Drawn in a vastly tough group at Euro 2004, Latvia misplaced to the Czech Republic and the Netherlands, however drew 0-0 with Germany to disclaim the 2002 World Cup finalists a spot within the knockout phases.
32. North Macedonia (Euro 2020)
North Macedonia misplaced all three of their video games at Euro 2020, however simply being on the match was an enormous success for the tiny Balkan nation.
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Defeats to Austria, Ukraine and the Netherlands noticed North Macedonia end backside of Group C. Two years later, the Balkan Lynx shocked Italy by beating the Azzurri in a World Cup play-off, earlier than dropping out to Portugal for a spot at Qatar 2022.
31. Albania (Euro 2016)
Albania certified for Euro 2016 after ending second behind Portugal and above Denmark of their sector.
Making their debut look on the European Championship, the Crimson and Blacks beat Romania, however misplaced to France and Switzerland and missed out on advancing to the final 16 as among the finest third-placed sides solely on aim distinction.
30. Finland (Euro 2020)
Taking part in within the European Championship for the primary time of their historical past, Finland got here near advancing to the knockout phases at Euro 2020.
The Finns beat Denmark 1-0 of their opening match, however missed out on a spot within the final 16 on aim distinction following defeats to Russia and Belgium of their subsequent two video games.
29. Scotland (Euro 96)
Scotland had by no means made it to the knockout phases of a significant match – however Craig Brown’s facet got here inside a whisker of the quarter-finals at Euro 96.
After a draw with the Netherlands and defeat to hosts England – as Gary MacAllister missed the possibility to stage at 1-1 when his penalty was saved by David Seaman – at Wembley, the Scots beat Switzerland of their last sport and had been edged out on objectives scored following a late Dutch strike of their 4-1 loss in opposition to the Three Lions.
28. Wales (Euro 2020)
Wales reached the semi-finals of Euro 2016 and the Dragons made the knockout phases once more 4 years later, this time reaching the final 16.
The Welsh beat Turkey, drew with Switzerland and misplaced by a single aim to eventual winners Italy to complete second in Group A, however had been properly overwhelmed by Denmark in a 4-0 defeat within the spherical of 16.
27. Austria (Euro 2020)
Austria completed second in Group C behind the Netherlands at Euro 2020 following wins over North Macedonia and Ukraine in Bucharest.
Within the final 16, the Austrians then took Italy to further time following a goalless 90 minutes at Wembley, ultimately dropping out in a 2-1 defeat to the eventual winners.
26. Switzerland (Euro 2020)
Switzerland scraped into the knockout phases at Euro 2020 as among the finest third-placed groups, having picked up simply 4 factors of their group.
However the Swiss held France to a 3-3 draw with a powerful efficiency within the final 16 and went on to beat the world champions on penalties as Yann Sommer saved Kylian Mbappe’s effort. Within the quarter-finals, they misplaced in a shootout to Spain.
25. Poland (Euro 2016)
Poland performed 5 matches at Euro 2016 and the one defeat for the White-Reds got here in a penalty shootout to eventual champions Portugal within the final eight.
The Poles completed stage on factors with Germany in Group C and went on to beat Switzerland on penalties within the final 16, earlier than dropping in one other shootout to the Portuguese in Marseille.
24. Croatia (Euro 96)
Following the break-up of Yugoslavia, Croatia gained independence in 1991 and the small Balkan nation grew to become a UEFA member in 1993.
Nonetheless outdoors the highest 50 within the FIFA rankings upon qualification for Euro 96, the Croats reached the quarter-finals, dropping narrowly to eventual winners Germany. Two years later, Croatia went on to make the World Cup semi-finals.
23. Belgium (Euro 1972)
Belgium certified for his or her first-ever European Championship in 1972 and had been named as hosts for the four-team match after coming by the quarter-finals.
The Crimson Devils misplaced 2-1 to West Germany within the final 4, however beat Hungary by the identical scoreline to complete on a excessive within the third-place match in Liege.
22. Portugal (Euro 2016)
Portugal had been captained by a number of Ballon d’Or winner and Actual Madrid celebrity Cristiano Ronaldo in 2016 and their squad contained a lot of high gamers. However their Euro 2016 win was nonetheless considerably surprising.
After scraping by their group in third place, Portugal superior to the ultimate with wins over Croatia (in further time), Poland (on penalties) and Wales. Within the last, Ronaldo limped off injured, however Eder’s extra-time aim in opposition to hosts France secured a first-ever main trophy for the Portuguese.
21. Czechoslovakia (Euro 1980)
Czechoslovakia had been shock winners of the 1976 European Championship after beating world champions West Germany in a penalty shootout within the last.
And 4 years later, the Czechoslovakians impressed once more, this time dropping narrowly to West Germany in Group 1 and ending second within the sector. Within the third place play-off, the defending champions beat Italy 9-8 on penalties.
20. Ukraine (Euro 2020)
Ukraine snuck into the final 16 at Euro 2020 because the fourth better of the third-placed groups, having completed behind the Netherlands and Austria in Group C.
Within the second spherical, Ukraine beat Sweden 2-1 after further time to advance to the quarter-finals for the primary time. The Blue and Yellow misplaced 4-0 to England within the final eight.
19. Republic of Eire (Euro 88)
The Republic of Eire had been one of many standout sides at Euro 88 and the Boys in Inexperienced had been unlucky to not make it by to the knockout phases.
After beating England 1-0 of their opener in Stuttgart, the Irish drew 1-1 with the Soviet Union and had been eight minutes away from securing a draw in opposition to the Netherlands which might have sealed a spot within the quarter-finals. Wim Klieft’s late aim broke Irish hearts and the Dutch moved above Jack Charlton’s facet into second, earlier than occurring to win the match in Germany.
18. Slovakia (Euro 2016)
Slovakia beat Russia and drew with England in Group B to qualify for the knockout phases as among the finest third-placed groups at Euro 2016.
The Slovaks, taking part in their first European Championship as an unbiased nation, had been properly overwhelmed by Germany in a 3-0 defeat to the world champions within the final 16.
17. Czech Republic (Euro 2004)
Czech Republic performed some fantastic soccer at Euro 2004 and appeared like darkish horses for the title after topping Group C with wins over Latvia, the Netherlands and Germany.
The Czechs went on to beat Denmark 3-0 within the quarter-finals, however got here unstuck in opposition to eventual winners Greece, dropping narrowly within the final 4 to a golden aim in further time in Porto.
16. Denmark (Euro 1984)
After dropping narrowly to hosts France of their opening sport at Euro 84, Denmark thrashed Yugoslavia 5-0 and beat Belgium 3-2 to advance to the final 4.
The Danes drew 1-1 with Spain in Lyon, however went on to lose 5-4 on penalties to exit the match on the semi-final stage. Nonetheless, it was a powerful exhibiting from the Scandinavians and signalled the beginning of a particular period for the Danish nationwide workforce.
15. Russia (Euro 2008)
Russia’s Euro 2008 marketing campaign began and ended with heavy defeats to eventual champions Spain: 4-1 within the group phases and 3-0 within the semi-finals.
However the Russians loved an excellent run general, beating Greece and Sweden in Group D, earlier than knocking out the Netherlands in a 3-1 win after further time within the quarter-finals.
14. Yugoslavia (Euro 1968)
Yugoslavia certified for Euro 1968 because of a powerful 6-2 mixture win over France within the quarter-finals.
Within the four-team match in Italy, Yugoslavia went on to beat world champions England 1-0 within the semi-finals, earlier than dropping 2-0 to the hosts in a replay after the groups’ first match had completed 1-1.
13. Northern Eire (2016)
Northern Eire certified for Euro 2016 by impressively profitable a gaggle containing Romania, Hungary, Finland and Greece.
On the match in France, Michael O’Neill’s facet completed third in Group C behind Germany and Poland as a sole win over Ukraine was sufficient to seal a spot within the final 16. Of their first-ever European Championship, Northern Eire then misplaced 1-0 to Wales within the second spherical.
12. Turkey (Euro 2008)
After defeat in opposition to Portugal of their opening sport at Euro 2008, Turkey hit late objectives to beat each Switzerland and the Czech Republic to affix the Portuguese within the knockout phases.
Turkey then eradicated Croatia on penalties within the quarter-finals after one other dramatic late aim on the finish of additional time, however misplaced 3-2 to Germany within the final 4 as Joachim Löw’s facet scored near the tip.
11. Soviet Union (Euro 88)
One of many strongest worldwide groups of the Sixties, the Soviet Union had been much less of a power within the Eighties – however the USSR nonetheless loved a superb marketing campaign at Euro 88.
The Soviets topped Group 2 after wins over England and the Netherlands, earlier than beating Italy 2-0 within the final 4. Within the last, Valeriy Lobanovskyi’s facet went down 2-0 in a second assembly with the Dutch.
10. Republic of Eire (Euro 2016)
Robbie Brady’s late aim gave the Republic of Eire a 1-0 win over a much-changed Italy of their last group sport at Euro 2016 and sealed a spot within the final 16 for the Boys in Inexperienced.
Up in opposition to hosts France within the second spherical, Brady put the Irish in entrance from the penalty spot early within the sport, however Antoine Griezmann scored twice to show the match round and earn a spot within the quarter-finals for Les Bleus.
9. Belgium (Euro 1980)
Belgium weren’t one of many pre-tournament favourites at Euro 1980, however the Crimson Devils went on to succeed in the ultimate in a powerful marketing campaign in Italy.
After ending high of a gaggle together with host Italy, England and Spain to advance to the ultimate, the Belgians had been overwhelmed 2-1 by West Germany in a detailed contest in Rome.
8. Sweden (Euro 92)
Sweden had been the host nation at Euro 92 and the Scandinavians made it to the semi-finals in a powerful exhibiting on dwelling soil.
After topping Group 1 with a draw versus France and wins over eventual champions Denmark and England, Sweden then misplaced 3-2 to Germany within the final 4.
7. Denmark (Euro 2020)
Denmark misplaced two of their group video games at Euro 2020, however superior to the knockout phases because of their superior aim distinction to Finland and Russia.
The Danes took benefit of a beneficial draw after that, beating Wales 4-0 and defeating the Czech Republic 2-1 earlier than dropping after further time to England at Wembley within the semi-finals.
6. Iceland (Euro 2016)
With a inhabitants of round 335,000 in 2016, Iceland had been simply the smallest nation on the European Championship that 12 months, however the islanders made all of it the way in which to the quarter-finals.
After ending second behind Hungary and forward of eventual champions Portugal with a win and two attracts in Group F, Iceland produced an enormous shock by beating England within the quarter-finals. Within the final 4, they had been overwhelmed 5-2 by hosts France.
5. Czech Republic (Euro 96)
Czech Republic completed second behind Germany in Group C at Euro 96, advancing to the knockout phases on the expense of Italy, one of many pre-tournament favourites.
After beating the Azzurri 3-1 within the group, the Czechs went on to edge out Portugal within the quarter-finals and beat France on penalties within the final 4. Dusan Uhrin’s facet misplaced the ultimate to West Germany at Wembley as Oliver Bierhoff scored a golden aim in further time.
4. Wales (Euro 2016)
Taking part in of their first main match for the reason that 1958 World Cup, Wales made all of it the way in which to the semi-finals at Euro 2016.
Led by a powerful Gareth Bale, the Welsh topped Group B, edged out Northern Eire within the final 16 and impressively beat Belgium within the quarter-finals. In that match, Hal Robson-Kanu produced a Cruyff flip earlier than hitting the winner. Wales misplaced to eventual champions Portugal within the semi-finals.
3. Czechoslovakia (Euro 1976)
West Germany arrived on the 1976 European Championship as massive favourites, having received the match in 1972 and likewise the World Cup in 1974.
One thing particular was subsequently wanted to beat the Germans and Antonin Panenka produced it, chipping his penalty kick within the shootout to create a second of historical past for Czechoslovakia and soccer typically, together with his well-known approach imitated by many greats of the sport since.
2. Denmark (Euro 1992)
Denmark didn’t qualify for Euro 1992 and solely received to play within the match after Yugoslavia’s late disqualification because of the Yugoslav Wars.
The Danes’ greatest participant, Michael Laudrup, opted to remain at dwelling as he didn’t fee their possibilities. However in opposition to all odds, the Scandinavians sealed second spot in Group 1 after beating France, earlier than knocking out the Netherlands on penalties after which claiming the title with a 2-0 win over defending world champions Germany within the last.
1. Greece (Euro 2004)
Greece got here into Euro 2004 having appeared in simply two main tournaments beforehand and the Blue and Whites didn’t made it past the group phases in both.
However all of that modified in Portugal because the Greeks superior from Group A on the expense of Spain and went on to knock out France and the Czech Republic, earlier than beating the hosts within the last to seal a historic win.
