CNN's top 10 memorable European Championship moments

By Greg Duke, CNN

Updated 1652 GMT (0052 HKT) December 9, 2011

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Just 17 teams entered the first tournament in 1960 and it was played on a home-and-away basis until the semifinal stage, which France hosted. The Soviet Union and Yugoslavia contested the final in Paris, with Viktor Ponedelnik carving his name in history by scoring the winning goal in extra time to give the Russians victory.

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Soviets become first winners – Just 17 teams entered the first tournament in 1960 and it was played on a home-and-away basis until the semifinal stage, which France hosted. The Soviet Union and Yugoslavia contested the final in Paris, with Viktor Ponedelnik carving his name in history by scoring the winning goal in extra time to give the Russians victory.

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West Germany and the Netherlands had contested the 1974 World Cup final and were fancied for a repeat final in Euro 1976 -- but Czechoslovakia had other ideas. They sunk the Dutch in the semis thanks to a couple of extra time goals before a superb German side were beaten on penalties in the final, with Antonin Panenka clinching the trophy with one of the cheekiest spot-kicks in football history.

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Panenka's cheeky chip – West Germany and the Netherlands had contested the 1974 World Cup final and were fancied for a repeat final in Euro 1976 -- but Czechoslovakia had other ideas. They sunk the Dutch in the semis thanks to a couple of extra time goals before a superb German side were beaten on penalties in the final, with Antonin Panenka clinching the trophy with one of the cheekiest spot-kicks in football history.

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No player has dominated a finals tournament the way Michel Platini did in 1984. On home soil, Platini weaved his magic in devastating style, scoring hat-tricks against Belgium and Yugoslavia on his way to a record nine goals. The highlight came in a memorable semifinal against Portugal when, 2-1 down with six minutes of extra time remaining, France fought back to win 3-2 with the great man himself scoring the last minute winner.

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Platini the king – No player has dominated a finals tournament the way Michel Platini did in 1984. On home soil, Platini weaved his magic in devastating style, scoring hat-tricks against Belgium and Yugoslavia on his way to a record nine goals. The highlight came in a memorable semifinal against Portugal when, 2-1 down with six minutes of extra time remaining, France fought back to win 3-2 with the great man himself scoring the last minute winner.

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Marco van Basten's career was cut short early through injury, but not before he had made his mark on world football with one of the greatest goals of all time. Van Basten had already scored a hat-trick against England in a group game, and the winner against hosts West Germany in the semis. The Dutch were strongly fancied to beat Russia in the final, which they duly did, with the help of a Van Basten volley that will never be forgotten.

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Van Basten's wonder goal – Marco van Basten's career was cut short early through injury, but not before he had made his mark on world football with one of the greatest goals of all time. Van Basten had already scored a hat-trick against England in a group game, and the winner against hosts West Germany in the semis. The Dutch were strongly fancied to beat Russia in the final, which they duly did, with the help of a Van Basten volley that will never be forgotten.

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Denmark didn't qualify for the Euro 1992 finals in Sweden but war-torn Yugoslavia were prevented from appearing, meaning group runners-up Denmark took their place instead despite being totally unprepared. They failed to score in their opening two matches before beating France to scrape into the semfinals. They then proceeded to defeat holders Netherlands on penalties and world champions Germany 2-0 in the final to become the unlikeliest winners of all time.

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Denmark in dreamland – Denmark didn't qualify for the Euro 1992 finals in Sweden but war-torn Yugoslavia were prevented from appearing, meaning group runners-up Denmark took their place instead despite being totally unprepared. They failed to score in their opening two matches before beating France to scrape into the semfinals. They then proceeded to defeat holders Netherlands on penalties and world champions Germany 2-0 in the final to become the unlikeliest winners of all time.

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Germany had only conceded two goals in five games en route to the Euro 1996 final against the Czech Republic, but the Czechs looked on course to repeat their final victory over Germany from 20 years earlier when Patrik Berger scored from the penalty spot. However, Oliver Bierhoff equalized with 15 minutes left and the same player then scored the winner early in extra time, the first time a major tournament had been decided by a golden goal.

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Germany's golden goal – Germany had only conceded two goals in five games en route to the Euro 1996 final against the Czech Republic, but the Czechs looked on course to repeat their final victory over Germany from 20 years earlier when Patrik Berger scored from the penalty spot. However, Oliver Bierhoff equalized with 15 minutes left and the same player then scored the winner early in extra time, the first time a major tournament had been decided by a golden goal.