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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