Against all odds: Five biggest European Championship upsets

Sport360 staff 12:47 03/07/2016
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  • Wales sensationally saw off Belgium this weekend to make history as European Championship semi-finalists, which had us thinking about five other memorable runs at the tournament.

    Which lives longest in your memory and what side do you think overcame the greater odds with their achievements?

    Share with us your thoughts by commenting below, using #360fans on Twitter or getting in touch via Facebook.

    GREECE, EURO 2004

    Only Latvia were longer odds to win in Portugal. A pragmatic approach saw them navigate a treacherous group and that trend continued until their 1-0 final win over the hosts.

    DENMARK, EURO 1992

    They did not even officially qualify for the eight-team tournament, filling in for the disqualified Yugoslavia. Peter Schmeichel was their hero before they beat Germany 2-0 in the final.

    CZECH REPUBLIC, EURO 1996

    Competing for the first time since their independence, the Czech’s overcame just about every international superpower before eventually falling short to Germany in the showpiece.

    CZECHOSLOVAKIA, EURO 1976

    Given it was a four-team tournament, this may seem an odd choice, but they beat two of the greatest sides in history to win it – the Total Football of the Netherlands and West Germany.

    TURKEY AND RUSSIA, EURO 2008

    The bottom seeds both made a run to the last-four. Finishing second in their respective groups, the Turks then beat a highly-rate Croatia and the Russian’s upset the Netherlands.

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