1964 European Football Championship

The 1964 European Football Championship, then called the European Nations Cup, was the second edition of the European Football Championship, held every four years and endoresed by UEFA. The final tournament was held in Spain. It was won by the hosts 2-1 over defending champion Soviet Union.

Related Topics:
European Football Championship - UEFA - Spain - Hosts - Soviet Union

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The tournament was a knockout competition; 29 teams entered (Greece withdrew after being drawn with Albania). The Soviet Union, Austria, and Luxembourg received byes into the second round. 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:
Greece - Albania - Austria - Luxembourg

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Luxembourg pulled out the stunner in qualifying; the minnows beat the Netherlands 1-1 and 2-1, and then tied Denmark 3-3 and 2-2, before falling in the replay, 1-0. So Denmark became the surprise entry in the final tournament, joining the Soviet Union, Spain, and Hungary.

Related Topics:
Netherlands - Denmark

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In the semifinals, the Soviet Union took care of the Danes 3-0 in Barcelona and Spain beat Hungary 2-1 in extra time in Madrid. The final matchup was the same that caused Spain to withdraw from the tournament in 1960, but this time Generalisimo Francisco Franco let his team play the Soviets. In front of 79,000 at Santiago Bernabeu, the hosts won 2-1 after a late goal from Marcelino Martinez.

Related Topics:
Barcelona - Madrid - 1960 - Generalisimo Francisco Franco - Santiago Bernabeu

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