1960 European Football Championship

The 1960 European Football Championship, then called the European Nations Cup, was the first edition of the European Football Championship, held every four years and endoresed by UEFA. The final tournament was held in France. It was won by the Soviet Union 2-1 over Yugoslavia in Paris after extra time.

Related Topics:
European Football Championship - UEFA - France - Soviet Union - Yugoslavia - Paris

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The tournament was a knockout competition; just 17 teams entered with some notable absences (West Germany and Italy among them). The teams would play home-and-away matches until the semifinals; the final four teams would move on to the final tournament, whose host was selected after the teams became known.

Related Topics:
West Germany - Italy

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Spain refused to travel to the Soviet Union and withdrew from the tournament, so the final four had three Eastern Block countries: USSR, Czechoslovakia, and Yugoslavia, to go with hosts France. In the semifinals, the Soviets made easy work of the Czechoslovaks in Marseille, beating them 3-0. The other match saw a nine-goal thriller as Yugoslavia came on top 5-4, coming back from a two-goal lead twice. Czechoslovakia beat the demoralized French 2-0 for third place.

Related Topics:
Spain - Soviet Union - Marseille

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In the final, Yugoslavia scored first, but the Soviet Union, led by legendary goalkeeper Lev Yashin, equalized in the 49th minute. Regulation ended 1-1, and Viktor Ponedelnik scored with seven minutes left in extra time to give the Soviets the inaugurual European Championship.

Related Topics:
Lev Yashin - Viktor Ponedelnik

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~