EURO 2000 was hosted by two countries - Belgium and the Netherlands. This happened for the first time in history. The 11th European Championship was more exciting than the 1996 tournament. The participating teams at Euro 2000 were 16. The national teams delighted the spectators with exciting matches with unpredictable outcomes. Many weak teams were able to present a sensation, beating the star lineups. The Russian team could not enter Euro 2000.
Qualifying matches
There were no sensations in the qualifying games. The most interesting group was: France, Ukraine, Russia, Iceland, Armenia, Andorra. Four teams fought for the exit. Three starting games for Russia were a failure. However, then the team managed to give out a powerful series of six games. In the decisive match, Russia, having made a mistake, skipped ahead Ukraine, which subsequently lost Slovenia in the butt games. France went to Euro 2000 from first place.
Group A
The group includes: Portugal, Romania, England and Germany.
At the group stage, the Romanian team did something incredible. She managed to beat England with a score of 3: 2 and tied with Germany. Only Portugal was able to stop the Romanians. England performed very weakly, having won a single victory. Germany became a failure, having lost two matches and tied. Nobody expected a similar level of game from the Germans at EURO 2000 in football.
Portugal and Romania reached the playoffs.
Group B
The group includes: Italy, Sweden, Belgium and Turkey.
There were no sensations. Italy, being the favorites, took first place, while there was no bright game. The remaining teams fought for second place in the group. The Belgians started well, defeating Sweden in the first match, but then slowed down and lost to the Turks 0: 2, skipping them to second place.
Italy and Turkey went to the playoffs.
Group C
The group includes: Spain, Yugoslavia, Norway and Slovenia.
Spain in the group was to become a clear favorite. However, this did not happen. EURO 2000 football will be remembered for their slurred start. In the first match, the national team lost to Norway with a score of 1: 0. Slovenia did not bring a sensation, losing 2: 1. To reach the playoffs of Spain it was necessary to beat Yugoslavia. By the 90th minute, Yugoslavia led with a score of 3: 2. At the beginning of the added time, the Spaniards compare the score from the penalty spot, but this is not enough. In the last seconds of Spain, they managed to work a miracle, scoring the fourth goal.
Spain and Yugoslavia went to the playoffs.
Group D
The group included: the Netherlands, France, the Czech Republic and Denmark.
Matches in the group were remembered not only by an exciting game, but also by a referee scandal. The match between the Netherlands and the Czech Republic was held in tension. The game was played by the Czech Republic, and the match was coming to an end. The Netherlands seemed to rebound. At the end of the game for a very dubious foul, the referee put the penalty one, which was implemented.
The Netherlands and France reached the playoffs.
Quarter finals
The match Spain-France became the most interesting in the quarter finals of Euro 2000. The compositions of both teams were impressive. Spain started very confidently, immediately created several dangerous moments at the gates of the French, but the goalkeeper played reliably. At one point, Jorkaeff is earning a standard, and Zidane sends the ball exactly at nine. Five minutes later, Spain earns and scores from the penalty spot. Jorkaeff in the last minutes brings France forward again. In the very end, Spain has a chance, but Raul could not score from the “point”.
The duel of the Netherlands-Yugoslavia promised to be exciting. The Dutch before the match were not considered obvious favorites, in addition, many did not see them in the semifinals. However, Yugoslavia, which demonstrated an amazing game in the group, was destroyed by Holland. Many analysts have not been able to explain this failure. Holland, however, held its best game in the tournament, winning 6-1.
Romania in a confrontation with Italy could not surprise. More was expected from the team that managed to beat England in the group stage. Totti and Inzaghi, scoring a ball, sent Romania home. A nondescript game stood out for George Haji, who in the second half received two yellow cards.
In the match Portugal-Turkey, the favorite was obvious. Nuno Gomes, taking a double, kicked the Turks out of the tournament. For Turkey, reaching the playoffs was already a major achievement, so there were no dissatisfied cheers from the fans.
Semifinal
The match between the Netherlands and Italy became the decoration of the tournament. It was not the final of Euro 2000, but it was not inferior in intensity. The Dutch were considered favorites. They had the most striking attack, which already managed to hit the audience. Italy contrasted the balanced defense. The Italians had to play ten with 34 minutes. Two penalties were awarded to Toldo, but the goalkeeper and the goal left the Italians in the game. Everything was decided in the penalty shoot-out, where Italy turned out to be more stable and went further.
In the match Portugal-France, a second scandal erupted. In the main time, the national teams scored a ball and transferred the game to an extra one. At the very end, the referee appoints a penalty for a violation indicated by the side referee. Zidane accurately implemented the standard and brought France to the finals.
Final EURO 2000
This exciting European Championship could not end in a faded finale. And so it happened. At the 55th minute, the Italians took the lead with the goal of Delvecchio. Until the end of the half they hold the advantage. On added minutes, the ball is at the gates of Italy. In extra time, France scores a “golden” goal and pulls out the EURO 2000 trophy. France-Italy - the match was the most interesting ending for many years.
The tournament brought a huge profit to the organizers. Matches were visited by millions of fans. EURO 2000 gave the audience a lot of positive emotions and interesting fights.