Germany's Record in European Championships
Final against Spain an Opportunity to Achieve Fourth Success
As Germany prepare for the Final of Euro 2008 in Austria and Switzerland, they go into the Final against Spain with an awesome record in the competition. They are looking for their fourth success in the competition following wins in 1972, 1980 and 1996.
First Triumph:
Their first success came in Belgium when as West Germany they recorded a 3-0 win over the USSR.
Four years later in Yugoslavia they again reached the Final but lost to Czechoslavakia on penalties after extra time. The game ended 2-2 but West Germany lost 5-3 in the penalty shoot-out. That tournament in 1976 was the last when only four teams took part in a mini-knockout competition.
West Germany’s second win in the competition was in 1980 in Italy when eight teams qualified and they defeated Belgium 2-1 in the Final.
In 1988 West Germany hosted the competition but lost in the semi-finals to the Netherlands, the eventual winners.
In 1992 Germany lost in the Final to Denmark in the European Championships played in Sweden. Their 2-0 defeat came at the hands of the surprise team in the competition, Denmark, who only appeared in the tournament as late replacements for Yugoslavia who withdrew due to its internal wars.
Success at Wembley:
German’s third success came at Wembley in 1996. The number of teams in the Finals was increased to sixteen and Germany defeated England, the hosts, on penalties in the semi-finals before defeating the Czech Republic with a ‘golden goal’ in the Final. Level at 1-1 after normal play the game ended with first golgen goal ever in a major tournament, scored by Oliver Bierhoff. This was Germany's first title as a unified nation.
Euro2008:
Germany’s appearance in the Final in Vienna against Spain is their first for twelve years and while they started the competition in impressive form defeating Poland 2-0 in the opening game, they then lost to Croatia who topped their group and were uncomfortable in a single goal win over joint-hosts, Austria, in the final Group match. They defeated high-flying Portugal in the first match in the knock-out stage but rather stuttered their way through the semi-final, benefiting from a goalkeeping mistake Turkey to give them a second half lead at a time when Austria were dominant. They then required a late goal to secure victory after a weakened Turkish team drew level late in the game.
Germany's Record in Competition:
With three wins to their name Germany is the leading country in the European Championships and their claim to top spot is further enhanced by their two losing final appearances and an unsuccessful semi-final. Their opponents in the Final, Spain, have recorded only one success in 1964 and a losing final appearance twenty years later.
