1976 UEFA European Football Championship

The 1976 UEFA European Football Championship final tournament was held in Yugoslavia. This was the fifth European Football Championship, held every four years and endorsed by UEFA. The final tournament took place between 16 and 20 June 1976.

At the time, only four countries could play the final tournament which meant that there were only the semi-finals, the final and the third place match. This was the last tournament to have this format, as the tournament was expanded to include eight teams four years later.

It was the first and only time that all four matches in the final tournament were decided after extra time, either on penalties or by goals scored.

This was also the last tournament in which the hosts had to qualify for the final stage.

Czech player Antonin Panenka gained fame for his delicately chipped penalty that gave his country victory in the tournament's final against West Germany.

Read more about 1976 UEFA European Football Championship:  Venues, Qualifying Round, Final Tournament, Statistics

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