With Euro 2024 almost upon us, football fans are already speculating who could win this year’s competition in Germany, with the hosts themselves amongst the favourites alongside England and France.
Germany hasn’t won the competition since 1996, and while the Euro 2024 winner odds stand them in good stead, they still have to get over the line under the guidance of Julian Nagelsmann.
This is a talented German side, and one that could certainly lift the trophy in Berline come July, but how do they rank amongst previous champions?
Let’s take a look at the last five nations to win the Euros and see how they picked up the coveted trophy.
Euro 2020 – Italy
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Euro 2020 was postponed by a year, eventually being won by Italy at Wembley Stadium after they beat England on penalties.
Roberto Mancini had a side littered with experience. From the grizzled centre-back pairing of Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini to serial Ligue 1 winner Marco Verratti, the Italians were solid at the back, conceding just three goals en route to the final.
Even when they went a goal down to the Three Lions, who were on home soil, they never panicked, and after equalising, the Azzurri won 3-2 on penalties.
Euro 2016 – Portugal
The Euros have produced several big upsets over the years, and while not many Euro 2024 betting offers have tipped Portugal to win the competition this summer, they were even less fancied when they lifted the trophy in 2016.
France were strong favourites on home soil, and when Cristiano Ronaldo was stretchered off in the first half of the final, the result looked like a foregone conclusion. However, Fernando Santos instilled his side with a winning mentality, and substitute Eder rose from the bench to score the winner late in extra time to earn his side the title.
Euro 2012 and 2008 – Spain
The Spanish were the dominant force in international football for the best part of five years when they picked up consecutive Euros and a World Cup during their golden generation.
The likes of Xavi, Andrés Iniesta, Sergio Ramos, Sergio Busquets, Xabi Alonso, and Fernando Torres, amongst others, were all in the peak of their powers and swept aside the competition with an emphatic blend of tiki-taka football and decisive finishing.
Spain first beat Germany in the 2008 final thanks to a delicious chip from Torres, before thrashing Italy in Kyiv 4-0 to establish themselves as one of the best national sides of all time.
Euro 2004 – Greece
The true fairytale story of any international tournament, Greece picking up Euro 2004 after beating hosts Portugal in their own backyard is inspiration for any country looking to write their own underdog story.
Having overcome Denmark and the Czech Republic in the knockout rounds, the Greeks overcame a Portugal side that included Ronaldo, Deco, and Luis Figo, with a goal from Angelos Charisteas sending shockwaves across the acropolis.
Greece were given odds of 150/1 before the tournament started, and with the likes of Hungary, Ukraine, and Switzerland all dark horses for Euro 2024, there is every chance we could see another upset given the unpredictability of the international game.
