1976, Belgium

Winner: Czechoslovakia | Runner-up: West Germany

If the previous tournament had been a disappointment, 1976 produced some classic matches in Yugoslavia, the first time the finals were held in Eastern Europe.

The Netherlands, containing the nucleus of the team which had lost the World Cup final to West Germany two years earlier, were frustrated again in the first semi-final against Czechoslovakia. Both teams were down to 10 men after 90 minutes with the scores at 1-1 -- captain Anton Ondrus put the Czechs ahead then scored an own goal -- but the game turned when Zdenek Nehoda headed the Czechs into the lead and the Dutch had Wim van Hanegem sent off for arguing about the goal. The Czechs eventually ran out 3-1 winners.

World and European champions West Germany had lost deadly striker Gerd Mueller but replaced him with namesake Dieter, who duly delivered a hat-trick in the 4-2 semi-final win over Yugoslavia, who had led 2-0 until the 65th minute. The Germans again showed their determination when they fell 2-0 behind in the final, Mueller pulling one back and Bernd Holzenbein equalising in the last minute.

After no further goals in extra-time the final became the first at a major tournament to be settled on a penalty shoot-out, Antonin Panenka netting the decider with one of the most famous penalties of all time, a brilliantly-executed chip.

Top goal scorer:

D Muller (Germany) -- 4

Also see:

• 1960, France
  
• 1964, Spain
  
• 1968, Italy
  
• 1972, Belgium
  
• 1980, Italy
  
• 1984, France
  
• 1988, West Germany
  
• 1992, Sweden
  
• 1996, England
  
• 2000, Belgium and Holland