The European Football Championships, better known as the UEFA European Championship, is a prestigious international competition between Europe's top football teams. With many of the top clubs competing for the title, it's no surprise that the competition has produced some of the most intense and passionate rivalries in the sport. From the historic rivalry between Germany and England to the more recent emergence of Spain as a powerhouse, this article will explore some of the most memorable rivalries that have taken place on the field during the European Football Championships.
Germany vs. England
The rivalry between Germany and England is one of the oldest and most intense in international football. The two countries have been competing against each other since the first international football match between the two sides in 1876. This rivalry has been reignited in recent years, with Germany emerging as one of the most successful nations in European football. The two sides have faced off in multiple European Championships, with Germany coming out on top in two of the three meetings. The most recent meeting between the sides was in the final of the 2008 edition of the tournament, with Germany claiming a dramatic 1-0 victory.
Spain vs. Portugal
The rivalry between Spain and Portugal is one of the fiercest in international football. The two nations have been competing against each other since the first meetings in 1926 and 1927. In the modern era, the rivalry has been reignited with the emergence of Spain as one of the top nations in European football. The two sides have faced off in multiple European Championships, with Spain coming out on top in three of the four meetings. The most recent meeting between the sides was in the semi-finals of the 2012 edition of the tournament, with Spain claiming a dramatic 3-2 victory.
France vs. Italy
The rivalry between France and Italy is one of the most storied in international football. The two countries have been competing against each other since the first international football match between the two sides in 1906. This rivalry has been reignited in recent years, with France emerging as one of the most successful nations in European football. The two sides have faced off in multiple European Championships, with France coming out on top in two of the three meetings. The most recent meeting between the sides was in the semi-finals of the 2016 edition of the tournament, with France claiming a dramatic 5-2 victory.
Belgium vs. Netherlands
The rivalry between Belgium and Netherlands is one of the most heated in international football. The two countries have been competing against each other since the first international football match between the two sides in 1905. This rivalry has been reignited in recent years, with Belgium emerging as one of the most successful nations in European football. The two sides have faced off in multiple European Championships, with Belgium coming out on top in two of the three meetings. The most recent meeting between the sides was in the semi-finals of the 2020 edition of the tournament, with Belgium claiming a dramatic 3-2 victory.
The European Football Championships has provided a platform for some of the greatest rivalries in international football to be played out on the field. From Germany vs England to Spain vs Portugal, the competition has seen some of the sport's biggest rivalries play out in spectacular fashion. With the tournament set to return in 2021, it's sure to bring with it plenty of drama and intense rivalries.