The Euro 2000 is a prestigious football tournament the elite of the elite was playing there from Kluivert, Guardiola, Thierry Henry, Desailly, Maldini, Zidane and many more. This tournament was groundbreaking because it was the first time it took place in 2 counties, co-hosted Belgium, and the Netherlands. It marked the very first time this tournament expanded its horizons beyond a single nation’s borders. France was favourites to win Euro 2000 considering they won the World Cup 2 years early, Italy England Spain and Germany are close behind France, Belgium being the dark horse.
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Euro Group Stage
In the thrilling battles of Group A, the Euro 2000 stage was set ablaze with unexpected twists and turns. The first game of Group A was Germany and Romania, this resulted in alittle shock and tense 1–1 draw. Moldovan’s early burst of energy, finding the net at the 5th minute. Scholl’s sublime strike at the 28th min was a moment of sheer brilliance.
England, with Alan Shearer’s unwavering determination, claimed a vital 1–0 victory over Germany, setting the hearts of fans pounding as he scored at the 53rd min, didnt expect England to win this. Meanwhile Portugal dominated against Germany, in a very impressive 3–0 win. Sérgio Conceição, a maestro in the making, orchestrated a symphony of goals with his hat-trick at the 35th, 54th, and 71st mins. Germany had to win this and have a positive goal difference to qualify to knock out stage, and they didnt qualify .
England played Romania in their final game, whoever wins this will qualify to the knock out stage. Chivu’s brilliance at the 22nd min for Romania, Shearer’s penalty at the 41st min and Owen’s rapid response at the 45th seemed like the script of destiny. However, Romania had other plans, Munteanu’s timely strike at the 48th, followed by Ganea’s nerve-wracking penalty at the 89th, unveiled a jaw-dropping 3–2 victory. England and Germany are out, Portugal 3 out of 3 wins, Romania 2nd with 4 pts while England on 3pts and Germany on 1.
Group B in the Euro 2000 tournament unfolded as a dramatic saga of football brilliance and surprises. Italy faced off against Belgium, Italy scored with Totti’s early magic at the 6th min, followed by Fiore’s thunderous strike at the 66th, securing a 2–0 victory.
Turkey an unexpected contender stunned co-host Belgium with a 2–0 triumph. 2 goals from Hakan Şükür 45+2nd and 70th minus, leaving the crowd in awe. This ultimately knock out Belgium in the Euros
Italy played Sweden in their final game, Italy sealed a 2–1 win. Di Biagio’s precision at the 39th min and Del Piero’s late 88th min goal were the defining moments, overshadowing Larsson’s lone strike at the 77th.
At the culmination of the group stage, Italy reigned supreme, boasting a perfect record of three wins and a goal difference to envy. Turkey’s unexpected rise secured them a spot in the knockout stage, while Belgium and Sweden, despite flashes of brilliance, had to bid adieu to the tournament, with Belgium narrowly missing out on the next phase.
In Group C football enthusiasts were treated to a series of gripping encounters that left them on the edge of their seats. Norway, the underdogs, clinched a 1–0 victory over Spain. Iversen’s solitary goal at the 65th min was enough for Norway, this result sent shockwaves through the football world.
The drama continued when Norway faced FR Yugoslavia, and yet again, the underdogs suffered a 0–1 defeat, this time at the hands of Milošević, who found the back of the net at the 8th minute.
In the final group games, Spain played FR Yugoslavia to see who would finish top, it was a tight game 4-3 Spain won it with a pen in 94+ min, they booked their place in the knockout stage with two wins out of three games. FR Yugoslavia, displaying grit and determination, joined them in the next phase. Norway and Slovenia, though showing moments of brilliance, fell short of advancing, leaving the tournament with heads held high. Group C was proof of how unpredictable football can be, where underdogs have their moments making this memorable group in the Euro 2000.
Group D of the UEFA Euro 2000 was a rollercoaster ride of emotions and unexpected twists. France played Denmark in first group games, France beat them comfortabling 3–0. Blanc, Henry, and Wiltord were the architects of Denmark’s downfall.
However, Denmark’s nightmare didn’t end there. They faced a formidable Netherlands team in the second match, where they were handed a crushing 0–3 defeat. Kluivert, R. de Boer, and Zenden were the Dutch heroes on that day.
France played Netherlands in a highly anticipated games, the game was spectacle that had fans on the edge of their seats. The Dutch emerged victorious with a scoreline of 3–2, featuring goals from Kluivert, F. de Boer, and Zenden, while Dugarry and Trezeguet found the net for the French.
The Netherlands topped the group with 9pts 3 win, while France secured the second spot 6pts. The Czech Republic showed moments of brilliance but fell short of advancing, and Denmark, despite their previous Euro success, struggled and finished at the bottom of the group.
Knockout stage
The quarter-finals of 2000, Portugal faced off against Turkey at the Amsterdam Arena, Nuno Gomes took center stage, scoring two crucial goals in the 44th & 56th mins, securing Portugal’s 2-0 victory. Meanwhile, in Brussels at the King Baudouin Stadium, Italy faced Romania, with Totti and Inzaghi delivering the goods, securing Italy’s 2-0 win.
Over at the Feijenoord Stadion in Rotterdam, the Netherlands unleashed an onslaught on FR Yugoslavia, emerging victorious with a stunning 6-1 scoreline. Kluivert played amazing and he managed to score a sensational hat-trick. Unfortunately FR Yugoslavia could only muster a consolation goal from Milošević. In Bruges at the Jan Breydel Stadium, Spain faced France in a tightly contested match that saw France triumph 2-1 in the end, thanks to goals from Zidane and Djorkaeff, while Mendieta converted a penalty for Spain.
The semi-finals. France clashed with Portugal at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels, Nuno Gomes scored early in 19th mins, but Henry 51′ and penalty by Zidane 117 mins sealed the deal for France. Italy and the Netherlands locked horns in a tense battle that ultimately went to penalties. Italy prevailed 3-1 in the shootout, with Di Biagio, Pessotto, and Totti scoring, while F. de Boer, Stam, and Bosvelt faltered for the Netherlands. The Amsterdam Arena witnessed a nail-biting game, that saw the home nation lose on pens.
Euro 2000 final
Euro 2000 final held at De Kuip in Rotterdam was a high-stakes clash that had spectators holding their breaths. Just three minutes into the match, Totti had an opportunity for Italy, heading wide from a Fiore corner. Two minutes later, Henry unleashed a half-volley that agonizingly struck the goalpost for Italy. The intensity was palpable as Di Biagio and Cannavaro earned yellow cards in the first half for fouls on Henry.
The second half saw Zidane passing to Henry, but Fabio Cannavaro thwarted his shot. Italy made their first substitution with Del Piero replacing Fiore. In the 56th minute, Italy took the lead when Totti deftly back-heeled the ball to Pessotto, whose cross eluded Blanc and Desailly, allowing Delvecchio to score from close range. Totti and Del Piero had opportunities, but couldn’t find the net. Wiltord replaced Dugarry and saw his close-range shot blocked by Toldo. Toldo again denied Henry in the 68th minute with a brave save.
As the clock ticked down, Barthez’s foot stopped a shot from Ambrosini in the closing moments of the match. In the fourth minute of stoppage time, Barthez launched a long free-kick that Trezeguet headed on to Wiltord. With a chest control, Wiltord struck the ball through Nesta’s legs, sneaking it past Toldo into the far corner, equalizing the score at 1-1 and forcing the match into extra time.
The golden moment arrived two minutes before the end of the second period of extra time. Albertini’s mis-control allowed Pires to navigate past Albertini and Cannavaro before delivering a cross to Trezeguet, who unleashed a half-volley into the top corner, securing a golden goal for France and their second European Championship. Henry was given the man of the match award.
Awards
Savo Milošević & Patrick Kluivert won Golden Boot
UEFA Team of the Tournament:
Goalkeepers:
Fabien Barthez from France.
Francesco Toldo from Italy.
Defenders:
Laurent Blanc from France.
Marcel Desailly from France.
Lilian Thuram from France.
Fabio Cannavaro from Italy.
Paolo Maldini from Italy.
Alessandro Nesta from Italy.
Frank de Boer from the Netherlands.
Midfielders:
Patrick Vieira from France.
Zinedine Zidane from France.
Demetrio Albertini from Italy.
Edgar Davids from the Netherlands.
Rui Costa from Portugal.
Luís Figo from Portugal.
Pep Guardiola from Spain.
Forwards:
Savo Milošević from the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
Thierry Henry from France.
Francesco Totti from Italy.
Patrick Kluivert from the Netherlands.
Nuno Gomes from Portugal.
Raúl from Spain.
UEFA Player of the Tournament:
Zinedine Zidane, whose remarkable skills and performances played a pivotal role in France’s success during the Euro 2000 tournament.
Catch you in the next one.