Germany will contest their sixth UEFA European Championship final on Sunday hoping to add to their three titles while Spain have a record of won one, lost one. For perhaps the first time, though, Germany will start a continental decider as underdogs. euro2008.com takes a look at the stories of the seven previous finals involving the Mannschaft and La Furia Roja.
Germany's final history
1996 – Czech Republic 1-2 Germany (aet)
Having seen off hosts England in a classic semi-final encounter and already won 2-0 against the Czechs in the group stage, Germany were strong favourites to take their third European crown. However, it looked like they were set for back-to-back final defeats after Patrik Berger gave their rivals a second-half lead from the penalty spot. Berti Vogts sent on Oliver Bierhoff and, after heading an equaliser, the predatory finisher broke Czech hearts four minutes into extra time. His shot may have been tame, but it found its way past Petr Kouba for the competition's first ever golden goal. Suddenly, the game – and the tournament – belonged to Germany.
1992 – Denmark 2-0 Germany
After barely surviving the group stage, Germany scraped through to the final in Gothenburg to meet Denmark, who despite enjoying a fairy-tale ride to the showpiece, were not expected to overcome the reigning world champions. The match went against most pundits' predictions, though, with the Danes in command throughout the 90 minutes. John Jensen fired Richard Møller-Nielsen's side in front after 18 minutes and Germany could not respond. Twelve minutes from time, Denmark sealed the game through Kim Vilfort and gave the UEFA European Championships its biggest upset.
1980 – Belgium 1-2 West Germany
This was the former West Germany's third UEFA European Championship final in a row, and the favourites got off to the perfect start in Rome when Horst Hrubesch fired home after ten minutes. They could not extend the lead, though, and Belgium countered with 15 minutes remaining, René Vandereycken dispatching from the spot. Two minutes before time, Hrubesch, who was only in the side because of Klaus Fischer's broken leg, was the hero again as he headed in Karl-Heinz Rummenigge's corner.
1976 – Czechoslovakia 2-2 West Germany (aet, 5-3 on pens)
After winning the 1974 FIFA World Cup, the reigning European champions were clear favourites against a surprise package in the form of Czechoslovakia, with Franz Beckenbauer winning his 100th cap in the Belgrade final. However, the Czechs had gone 20 games without defeat and soon had the Germans staring at a 2-0 deficit. Dieter Müller hit back then Bernd Hölzenbein equalised in the last minute, and after no goals followed in extra time, the dreaded penalty shoot-out made its first appearance in a major tournament. Seven successful conversions later and Uli Hoeness skied over, allowing Antonín Panenka to achieve immortality by waiting for Sepp Maier to dive before chipping his spot-kick audaciously down the middle.
1972 – West Germany 3-0 USSR
Having failed to qualify for the 1968 finals and not participating in 1960 and 1964, West Germany marched through to their first final in convincing style. Led by the brilliance of playmaker Günther Netzer and inspired by the likes of Franz Beckenbauer and Gerd Müller, the Germans celebrated a resounding 3-0 success – Müller scoring twice and Herbert Wimmer adding the other – still the largest margin of victory in a UEFA European Championship final. "Everything worked," recalled Müller. "We had a good harmony and understood each other very well. That also goes for when we were on the pitch. You cannot ask for more." To this day, this lineup is still considered Germany's best ever.
Spain's final record
1984 – France 2-0 Spain
Spain had won on penalties against Denmark to progress to their second final 20 years after winning the title. The match is remembered most for Michel Platini's opening goal in the 57th minute after France had struggled during the first half. His free-kick squirmed beneath Spain goalkeeper Luis Arconada for his ninth goal in five games. France then had Yvon Le Roux sent off, but they completed their task when Bruno Bellone scored late on to complete a 2-0 victory. Mr Platini, the UEFA President, has invited Arconada to this year's showpiece, 24 years after Spain's last major final.
1964 – Spain 2-1 USSR
With midfielder Luis Suárez pulling the strings, Spain went into their first major final with confidence high. Already a European champion with FC Internazionale Milano, Suárez added top-level experience to the youthful Spain side and with just six minutes gone at a raucous Santiago Bernabéu, the gifted No10 provided the cross for Jesús Pereda to open the scoring. Galimzian Khusainov quickly responded, but Marcellino headed a memorable winner six minutes from time. "Other Spanish national teams I played in were much better than that 1964 side but we never achieved anything," Suárez said. "That one was a team rather than a selection of top players."
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