World Football's 25 Biggest Euro Tournament Upsets of All Time

The UEFA European Championship is perhaps the second most prestigious award a footballing nation can claim in the world. Football's heart and soul beats from Europe and there is never a dull moment when the best of the best collide in the continental tournament.

Only a competition as highly contested as the European Championship can see 13 of the world's 20 best national teams listed in the final 16 of the tournament.

The only other competition besides the World Cup that can come close is South America's Copa America, which is the penultimate tournament of the CONMEBOL, which would currently claim five of the world's top 20.

All that aside, the Euros are the only tournament where you will see so many teams in those high ranks be called underdogs. The 2012 Group B field of Denmark, Germany, Holland and Portugal is testament to that statement.

As we have already seen one massive upset—Denmark over Holland—this tournament and look forward to at least several more, we take a look at some of the biggest upsets on the European stage over the history of the Euros since 1960.

Dutch Pride 2008

The Netherlands make the first of many appearances in this list with their Group C opening match against Italy in the 2008 European Championship.

After having won the 2006 World Cup, Italy were expected to get their tournament started off with a bang against a Netherlands side that was knocked out of the round of 16 two years prior.

However, that would not be the case as the Dutch attacking prowess put the Italians in their place with a 3-0 mauling as the Holland national team were beginning a run of form that would see them to the 2010 World Cup final two years later.

Turkish Delight 2008

Croatia made a phenomenal run to the quarter finals in the 2008 European Championship as they dominated Group C with victories over Poland, Austria and eventual finalists Germany.

However, a tricky Turkish side led by young budding starlet Arda Turan made the most of their European endeavors by defeating the strong Croats in a penalty shootout to book the Turks a match against Germany for a shot at their first ever final.

England Spot-Kicked out Again 2004

While Greece's phenomenal run to the 2004 European Championship stole the show, there were other surprise upsets that happened during the tournament.

England had a strong group-stage performance that saw them reach the quarterfinals for the first time since 1996.

However, it would be a repeat of their 1996 semifinal tragedy as another later-stage penalty shootout would see the Three Lions put to the sword from the spot once more, this time by Portugal.

Denmark over Holland 1992

Poor Holland, how many times have they come so close but not quite been able to turn the corner?

Denmark made a fabulous run to their 1992 European crown, and their semifinal penalty kick victory over the defending 1988 European Champions was a massive surprise.

Belgian Delight 1980

In what was the lowest attended match of the Italian-hosted 1980 European Championship, Belgium managed a 2-1 victory over Spain after having previously secured a draw against England.

Although Spain were not the superpower they are now in 1980, they were still thought a lock to defeat Belgium.

The Belgian victory would see them book their place in the final that they unfortunately lost to neighboring rivals Germany.

Italian Spot Kicks to Final 2000

Holland have been one of the biggest sufferers throughout the course of the European Championship's history.

The Euro 2000 host nation looked hopeful of a final birth when they came up against Italy in the semifinal; however, an organized Italian side stifled the traditional Clockwork Orange attack to force extra time and penalties.

A Dutch tragedy ensued when the Azzurri downed the hosts in front of their onlooking fans in the Amsterdam Arena.

Spot-on Czech's 1976

Germany won the 1972 European Championship convincingly with victories over Belgium and the Soviet Union.

However, it was not to be their destiny to repeat in 1976 as a tough underdog Czech Republic side held the Germans to spot kicks to be the first nation to win a tournament via a penalty shootout.

Czech Republic over Portugal 1996

The Czech Republic managed a 1-0 victory over highly rated Portugal to continue their Cinderella run to the 1996 European Championship final.

Romania Beats England 2000

England fielded a strong side heading into Euro 2000 and after having failed to live up to expectations in 1996, they hoped to do so in the next installment of Europe's biggest competition.

Romania were thought tough, but not good enough to bother the English having only managed a draw in their first two matches.

However, a late penalty denied the English the point they needed from what looked to be headed for a sure draw and sent the Three Lions packing.

Czech Republic over Italy 1996

The Czech Republic secured a huge upset victory to knock off Italy in their second group stage match of Euro 1996 with a score of 2-1. The three points would be the deciding factor that saw them advance beyond the famous Azzurri into the quarterfinals.

Norwegian Triumph 2000

Although it would be their only win of the tournament, Norway's 1-0 victory over Spain nearly booked them a place in the quarterfinals had they secured more than a point from their final group stage match against Slovenia.

Spanish Champions 1964

The Soviet Union looked sure-fire candidates to repeat their 1960 success in 1964. Spain had taken extra time in the semifinal match against Hungary to advance but they managed to overcome their exhausting 120-minute match to claim a late winner over the USSR.

Spain took the early lead in the sixth minute of the final, but the Soviets scored just two minutes later to equalize.

However, the Spanish home fans pushed their nation forward and the Spaniards finally got their late winner in the 84th minute.

Czech Mate 1996

The Czech Republic had a fantastic run to the final of the 1996 European Championship, but the performance that got them there was down to spot kicks against France two years before the Tri-Colors would claim the 1998 World Cup.

Ireland Defeats England 1988

The Republic of Ireland have not had a storied past in the European Championships, but do have one great moment of pride to call upon.

In 1988 they managed a 1-0 defeat of England in the opening of Group B that saw the Three Lions off to a disastrous showing of only one point from three matches.

Soviet Union Ousts Azzurri 1988

Italy looked a sure-fire candidate to advance to the final match of Euro 1988.

However, the Soviet Union called upon their history of greatness in the tournament to take a 2-0 victory over the heavily favored Italians.

Russia Stuns Holland 2008

The Netherlands had dominated Group C scoring nine goals and only allowing one during victories over Italy, France and Romania.

However, the feisty Russians took the Dutchmen to extra time in the 2008 Euro quarterfinals and two quick goals from Dmitri Torbinski and Andrei Arshavin at the 112th and 116th minutes put the worn-out Dutch defense to the sword.

Yugoslavia Shock France 1960

The 1960 European Championship semifinal match between France and Yugoslavia saw the Tri-colors take the early lead 2-1. However, in one of the greatest fight-backs of all time, the Yugoslavians overturned the deficit to win 5-4.

Denmark Defeats Holland 2012

Although it is only days into the record books, the unlikely 1-0 victory of Denmark over the Netherlands in the opening match of Group B could see the chances for both sides drastically change.

Holland came forward with attack after attack but their finishing was deplorable and cost them dearly as the 24th minute goal of Michael Krohn-Dehli saw the Danes take the first big upset of the 2012 tournament.

Greece Knocks out Czech Republic 2004

Greece opens their storybook for this slideshow with their semifinal defeat of the Czech Republic in the 2004 European Championship semifinals.

The Greeks defended to their near death, only to use their organization and composure to lure the Czech's into attacking until they were tired enough to make a mistake.

After forcing extra time the Greeks found a piece of magic in the dying seconds as Traianos Dellas knocked home a headed effort to give his country a 1-0 victory over a perennial European threat.

England Thumps Holland 1996

The Netherlands are without a doubt one of the best national teams in football's history, but unfortunately they have little to show for it.

England in many ways can almost say the same thing. However, in the 1996 European Championship group stage England made a massive point that they were the nation that created the game when they pounded Holland 4-1.

Croatia Beats Germany 2008

Germany were heavy favorites to breeze through Group B in the 2008 European Championship.

However, an inspired performance from Luka Modric and the Croatian national team saw them take three points from the most decorated nation in the tournament's history.

Croatia would go on to be the surprise undefeated victors of Group B.

Yugoslavia Advances Past England 1968

England won their only major title in 1966 with their victory at the World Cup. The 1968 European Championship was sure to be another chance for football's inventors to finally start showing their salt on the international scene.

Having reached the semifinals it was only Yugoslavia that stood in the Three Lions' way of advancing to their second straight major final.

However, the Eastern Europeans would not have it as they scrapped out a 1-0 victory to send the World Cup champions home.

Greece Beats France 2004

France were in their golden era after winning the 1998 World Cup and 2000 European Championship. Although they had a rough 2002 World Cup, the 2004 European Championship quarterfinal match looked to be a breeze with Greece as the opponent.

However, that was not to be the case as Angelos Charisteas' well-struck header scored the only goal the Grecian side would need to send France thumping out of the tournament in shocking fashion.

Denmark Wins Euro 1992

Denmark never were thought the team that would march their way into the 1992 European Championship final.

The Danes came up huge however by defeating heavily favored Germany 2-0 to achieve their nation's first major title.

Greece Wins Euro 2004

Not a single recognizable star was in the line-up for Greece for the entire 2004 European tournament.

However, their solid, organized defensive play kept them in every match all the way to the final where they upset host nation Portugal for their nation's first ever major title.