The European Championship in Germany ended on Sunday with the final taking place in Berlin between Spain and England.
The successful tour gave many unforgettable moments, while the German medium "Kicker" has listed some of them.
Emotional whirlwind
From the German perspective, two moments have marked the European Championship. On June 23, in Frankfurt, it was the first. The starting line-up did not have a fluid game and was on the verge of losing to Switzerland. However, Switzerland didn't count too much on Niclas Fuellkrug, who once again shone as a substitute. In the second minute of extra time, the Dortmund striker broke away from the top after David Raum's cross and scored for 1:1. This draw secured Germany first place in the group. Germany and Switzerland then advanced to the quarter-finals.
Wirtz's "madness" in Stuttgart
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German fans have few good moments from July 5. In the quarter-finals, Germany were in danger of elimination after Dani Olmo had put Spain ahead in the 51st minute. But coach Julian Nagelsmann brought in the right players from the bench. One of them was Florian Wirtz, who saved the 2014 World Cup winner in the 89th minute, scoring and sending the match into overtime. However, the Spaniards scored in the final minute of extra time to advance.
Arnautovic in tears
Austria played impressive matches in the group stage. After losing 1:0 to France in the first match, with an own goal, Austria turned the situation around and defeated Poland 3:1. Marko Arnautovic scored the last goal in the packed stadium, "Olympiastadion" in Berlin. But for the Austrian striker it was not just an ordinary goal. After converting the penalty in the 78th minute, Arnautovic cried. This victory helped Ralf Rangnick's Austria to advance to the round of XNUMX.
Sabitzer "froze" the Dutch
In the last match of the group, the Austrians made a big surprise. They defeated the Netherlands 3:2 and it was enough to secure the first place in the difficult group. The Netherlands and France, who were also in that group, went all the way to the semi-finals of the European Championship.
Marcel Sabitzer started a dangerous action. His determination culminated in the 80th minute when he scored perfectly from a very difficult angle. The Dortmund footballer burst into tears in Berlin in front of many Austrians.
Gunok hosted the tournament
However, the Austrians' dream was extinguished at the round of 2 stage. Turkey, which had also won respect in this European, defeated Austria with the result 1:2. After trailing 0-XNUMX, Austria attacked hard and scored thanks to Freiburg's Michael Gregoritsch.
At the end of the match, namely in the 95th minute, the Austrians were close to enjoying a goal. Leipzig's Christoph Baumgartner appeared right next to the opposing goal and fired a header. Austria were thought to have equalized but Turkey goalkeeper Mert Gunok incredibly deflected the ball wide. This was rated as the "host of the tournament".
The most "funny" own goal in Europe
There was a completely different mood among Turkish fans a few days earlier. In the second match of the group stage of the European Championship against the favorites, Portugal, the team led by Vincenzo Montella had a day to forget.
In the 28th minute, center back Samet Akaydin tried to pass the ball to goalkeeper Altay Bayindir. It was a moment where there was a lack of communication and the positioning of the defender and the goalkeeper was not right. It resulted in an own goal, among many others in this European. But this one marked in Dortmund remains the "funniest".
32 seconds of pain and pleasure
The captain of Croatia, Luka Modric, has experienced extraordinary emotions in his last match in European Championship. After being flagged for a penalty after touching the ball with his hand, the Real Madrid icon had the chance to make it 1-0 in the final group stage match against Italy in the 54th minute. Italy was the champion of the last European edition.
Modric didn't shoot hard enough to beat goalkeeper Ginaluigi Donnarumma. The experienced player, however, did not give up. Only 32 seconds after missing the penalty, Modric scored the goal for 1:0 and delighted the Croatian fans.
Zaccagni ended Modric's dream
Croatia thought they were through to the last eight with the match in Leipzig, but an Italian substitute shocked Croatia in the eighth minute of extra time.
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Mattia Zaccagni, who plays for Lazio, came on in the 81st minute and had a decisive impact shortly after. He shot beautifully from the area to tie the score and eliminate Croatia.
Albania with the fastest goal in European history
Albania played in Germany for the second time in a European Championship. The Albanians showed good signs and scored early against Italy. After 23 seconds of play, the "reds" scored against Italy, the European champion three years ago. It was the fastest goal in the history of the European Championship.
The left defender, Federico Dimarco, sent the ball from the sideline into the dangerous area, while Nedim Bajrami understood the situation, got to the ball and shot powerfully behind the back of the Italian goalkeeper, Gianluigi Donnarumma. But in the end, Albania was defeated 2:1.
Romania shines in Munich – especially with Stanciu's goal
Another outsider that shone at the beginning of the European Championship was Romania. Coach Edward Iordanescu's Romania played wonderfully in the first match and won 3:0 against Ukraine, to advance to the round of XNUMX.
In the 29th minute, the entire stadium in Munich shook. Andriy Lunin miscued, while Romanian captain Nicolae Stanciu fired powerfully for a superb goal. It was rated as one of the most beautiful goals.
Bellingham's scissors kick
England disappointed with their performance in the group stage and continued this pace against Slovakia in the round of 25. After being surprised by Ivan Schranz in the XNUMXth minute, England were at a long-term disadvantage. The English, however, believed in a comeback. As many fans left the stadium, Jude Bellingham scored with a scissors kick in the fifth minute of added time to send the game into extra time. Harry Kane paved the way to the final with the goal he scored in extra time.
If you want a record goal, do it right
Spain superstar Lamine Yamal broke several records at this European Championship - including being the youngest goalscorer at the Europeans. He chose the best way. When Spain was losing in the semi-finals to France, it increased the tempo of the game but was under pressure. This was not observed in Yamali. In the 21st minute, Yamali, who turned 17 on Saturday, started dribbling and immediately shot towards the goal, scoring with the help of the post. It was a super goal.
Nacho's intervention
Just before Randal Kolo Muani put the world runner-up, France, in the lead, the Paris Saint-Germain striker had a duel with Spain's center back, Nacho, where he was injured. After the intervention, Kolo Muani remained on the ground. Nacho was on top of him and forcefully pushed his head into the ground. But because Nacho was judged to have no control over his body, no red card was given.
Falling down? No problem for Xavi
In the next match of the semi-final of the European Championship between the Netherlands and England, the "tulips" took the lead first. And it was a goal to remember. Xavi Simons, wanted by many teams in Europe, including Bayern Munich, shot towards goal as he was falling and sent the ball into the net.
About 100 thousand Dutch fans were in Dortmund, in support of the Netherlands. Those who managed to enter the stadium went "crazy" with joy in the seventh minute. But the 1988 championship was eliminated. Conceded a goal in the 90th minute and lost 2:1. Ollie Watkins was the scorer for the "Three Lions".
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The final goal
The 86th minute of the final between Spain and England was being played on Sunday. Marc Cucurella passed into the area for substitute Mikel Oyarzabal. He hit correctly for 2:1. With this result, Spain won the final and enjoyed its fourth title. Oyarzabal played little, but appeared when needed. And his goal goes down in the history of the European Championships.
