Who won the first European Championship? | OneFootball

Euro 2020 was fun, wasn't it? You know, the one that was coming home, but actually went to Rome. Those were the days.

The Covid-19 pandemic delayed the tournament which was played all around the continent, with 11 different countries hosting varying numbers of games. UEFA opted for the logistical nightmare during a time when stadia could only be partially filled in order to celebrate 60 years of the European Championship.

Who knew the 60th anniversary was worthy of such a grand celebration? The tournament has evolved drastically since its first iteration.

Here's an overview of the first ever European Championship.

When was the first European Championship?

UEFA celebrated the 60th anniversary of the tournament at Euro 2020 / FABRICE COFFRINI/GettyImages

The history of the European Championship is less well known compared to the World Cup's foundation. The first global competition famously took place in Uruguay in 1930, but the inaugural Euros didn't kick off for another 30 years.

The first European Championship was held in 1960 and the tournament was unrecognisable from its contemporary form. First of all, the 1960 tournament was actually called the 'European Nations' Cup'.

How many teams competed in the first European Championship?

While only four nations competed in the finals, 16 were involved in qualifying. However, just under half of UEFA's member nations at the time refused to enter. West Germany, Italy and England were among the major nations absent from qualifying and thus the tournament. These nations were completely against the concept of a European Championship at the time.

Qualifying consisted of a preliminary round, last 16 and quarter-finals - all ties were played over two legs. The four winners of the quarter-finals qualified for the tournament.

France, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union were the semi-finalists, with the Soviets advancing from their quarter-final against Spain because the Franco regime didn't allow the team to travel to the country. They proposed a one-legged affair at a neutral venue, but this was refused by UEFA so Spain, who'd win the tournament in 1964, were disqualified.

Given they boasted the likes of Luis Suarez and Alfredo Di Stefano, they likely would have been the favourites to claim glory in France.

Two semi-finals, a third-place play-off, and a final; that was all the maiden European Championship consisted of. Four games.

The Soviet Union made light work of Czechoslovakia in Marseille, winning 3-0, while Yugoslavia stunned the hosts in Paris, overturning a 4-2 deficit with 15 minutes remaining to win 5-4. Likely still reeling from their collapse on home soil, France were then beaten by the Czechs for third place.

The final between the Soviets and similarly communist Yugoslavia was one of great political significance. Just under 18,000 were in attendance at Parc des Princes as the final went to extra-time following goals for both teams on either side of the half-time interval.

The Yugoslavs struggled in the extended period, however, and Gavriil Kachalin's progressive Soviet side stole the final with a 113th-minute header from Viktor Ponedelnik. It remains the latest goal in Euros final history.