EURO 2000: results and facts

EURO-2000 was hosted by two countries - Belgium and the Netherlands. It happened for the first time in history. The 11th European Championship was more exciting than the tournament in 1996. Teams participating in UEFA EURO 2000 were 16. The teams pleased the audience with spectacular matches with unpredictable outcomes. Many weak teams were able to present a sensation, playing with stellar compositions. At EURO-2000 the Russian team could not get out.

Qualifying matches

In the qualifying games there were no sensations. The most interesting group was: France, Ukraine, Russia, Iceland, Armenia, Andorra. For the exit fought four teams. Three starting games for Russia proved to be a failure. However, then the national team managed to issue a powerful series of six games. In the decisive match, Russia, having made a mistake, let Ukraine through, which later lost to Slovenia in the play-offs. France went to EURO-2000 from the first place.

Group A

The group includes: Portugal, Romania, England and Germany.

In the group stage the national team of Romania created something incredible. She managed to beat England with a score of 3: 2 and draw a tie with Germany. Only Portugal was able to stop the Romanians. Very weakly came out England, having won a single victory. The failure was Germany, losing two games and drawing in a draw. No one expected a similar level of the game from the Germans on UEFA EURO 2000.

In the playoffs came Portugal and Romania.

Group B

The group included: Italy, Sweden, Belgium and Turkey.

Here sensations did not happen. Italy, being favorites, won first place, with a bright game was not. For the second place in the group fought the other teams. The Belgians started well, having beaten Sweden in the first match, but then slowed down and conceded to the Turks 0: 2, conceding them to second place.

Italy and Turkey went to the playoffs.

Group C

The group included: Spain, Yugoslavia, Norway and Slovenia.

Spain in the group was to become a clear favorite. However, this did not happen. EURO-2000 on football will be remembered by their indistinct start. In the first match the team lost to Norway with a score of 1: 0. Slovenia did not bring a sensation, losing 2: 1. To enter the playoffs of Spain, it was necessary to beat Yugoslavia. By the 90th minute Yugoslavia led with a score of 3: 2. At the beginning of the added time, the Spaniards from the penalty spot compare the score, but this is not enough. In the last seconds, Spain managed to create a miracle, scoring the fourth goal.

In the playoffs, Spain and Yugoslavia passed.

Group D

The group included: the Netherlands, France, the Czech Republic and Denmark.

Matches in the group were remembered not only for an exciting game, but for a scandal. The Dutch-Czech match was going on in suspense. The game was played by the Czech Republic, and the match was coming to an end. It seemed that the Netherlands was bouncing off. In the end of the game for a very questionable foul, the referee placed an 11-meter, which was implemented.

Went to the playoffs of the Netherlands and France.

Quarter finals

The match Spain-France became the most interesting in the quarter finals of EURO-2000. The compositions of both teams impressed. Spain began very confidently, immediately created several dangerous moments at the gate of the French, but the goalkeeper played reliably. At one point, Djorkaeff earns the standard, and Zidane sends the ball to exactly nine. Five minutes later, Spain earns and realizes a penalty. Djorkaeff at the last minute again brings France forward. At the very end, Spain has a chance, but Raul could not score from the "point".

The Netherlands-Yugoslavia match promised to be exciting. The Dutch before the match were not considered clear favorites, in addition, many did not see them in the semifinals. However, Yugoslavia, which demonstrated an amazing game in the group, was destroyed by Holland. Many analysts have not been able to explain this failure. Holland also held its best game in the tournament, beating with a score of 6: 1.

Romania in the confrontation with Italy could not surprise. From the team that managed to beat England in the group stage, they expected more. Totti and Inzaghi, scoring the ball, sent Romania home. Homeless game stood out Gheorghe Haji, who in the second half received two yellow cards.

In the Portugal-Turkey match the favorite was obvious. Nuno Gomes, after making a double, threw the Turks out of the tournament. For Turkey, the exit to the playoffs was already a serious achievement, so the dissatisfied exclamations of the fans were not there.

Semifinal

The match between the Netherlands and Italy was the decoration of the tournament. It was not the final of EURO-2000, but it was not inferior in intensity. The favorites were Dutch. They had the most vivid attack, which had already hit the audience. Italy counterbalanced the balanced defense. The Italians had to play with ten men from the 34th minute. Two penalties were assigned to the goal of Toldo, but the goalkeeper's game and the bar left the Italians in the game. Everything was decided in a series of penalty shoot-outs, where Italy was more stable and passed on.

In the match Portugal-France, a second scandal broke out. In regular time, the teams scored on the ball and transferred the game to an additional one. At the very end, the referee appoints a penalty for the violation, which pointed to the side referee. Zidane unerringly implemented the standard and brought France to the finals.

Final of EURO-2000

This exciting European could not end in a faded ending. So it happened. At the 55th minute ahead came the Italians thanks to a goal Delvecchio. Until the end of the half they retain the advantage. At the added minutes the ball is in the gates of Italy. In extra time, France scores a "golden" goal and snatches the trophy EURO-2000. France-Italy - the match was the most interesting final for many years.

The tournament brought huge profits to the organizers. Millions of fans visited the matches. EURO-2000 gave the audience a lot of positive emotions and interesting fights.