Germany has won three European Championships (1972, 1980 and 1996), but has made projections of the poor in the last two competitions in 2000 and 2004. The German team was also second in 1976, 1992 and 2008 championships.
UEFA Euro 1972 Cup
In Euro 1972, a team of young West German who would win the World Cup two years later captured the first of three European Cup titles. In both legs in quarterfinals, when Germany crushed England 3-1 at Wembley Stadium April 29, 1972, and closed the door by getting a 0-0 in Berlin. The Germans then advanced to the finals in Belgium, where they beat the host nation, 2-1, in the semifinals and the Soviet Union 3-0 in the final to capture their first major championship since the Miracle of Bern .
"This is the best team we've ever had," said the former coach Helmut Schön at the hour of his triumph. In admiration of the German effort, writes the French L'Equipe: "Brussels witnessed the rehabilitation of attacking football." Even the Times admitted, "Germany's football team the most talented on the continent."
UEFA Euro Cup 1980
Only 8 years passed before the Germans have secured the next title. After defeating Czechoslovakia, the Netherlands and Greece, the opening race, he spent in Germany, Belgium, 2-1, behind two goals in the last Horst Hrubesch. This tournament will be the first of many for the midfielder Lothar Matthaeus, who retired after Euro 2000, Germany, with more presence (experienced) player 150 caps for his country.
Euro 96
In 1996, Germany has won perhaps the most memorable European Championship and his first major championship unification. Led captain Juergen Klinsmann and Matthias Sammer attack, defense, the Germans easily defeated the Czech Republic, 2-0 and Russia 3-0 in the first round. Hard-fought 0-0 draw against Italy, completed the first round, and saw the German through the quarter-finals, where he won the Croatian 2-1.
This victory paved the way for a classic match against England at Wembley Stadium again, the semi-finals of the tournament. After England jumped in front with a goal in the third minute, the Germans - playing without injured captain Klinsmann - fought back and equalized behind Stefan Kuntz goal in the 16th minute. The two teams battled for the remainder of regulation and two sudden death overtime periods of 15 minutes without scoring, resulting in a dramatic penalty. In the shootout with the sixth goalkeeper Andreas Kopke German attempt England, Andreas Möller to paralyze the faithful of Wembley and send Germany through to the final.
In the end, Germany has remained the same team that had defeated the Czech tournament the previous issue (bad), the criminal law decision. Yet, the Germans seem to usually fighting spirit, and tied the game substitute Oliver Bierhoff header of 73 minutes. Regulation ended in a 1-1 draw. Five minutes into the first overtime sudden death, was again Oliver Bierhoff who led the Germans for his historic victory at Golden Goal. This was largely due to his exceptional defensive efforts in the tournament, Matthias Sammer was voted "Player of the Year" after the finale.
