With Euro 2020 now just days away, excitement is creeping in for fans of all 24 countries that are participating.
There have so far been 15 European Championships since its creation in 1960 and we have sure seen some fantastic goals in the competition over the years. With this being said, let's take a look at the best 10 goals so far.
10. Eder vs France (Euro 2016)
A goal worthy of winning any final. The former Swansea City striker failed to register a single goal during his time in the Premier League, so seeing him produce a moment of magic like this was quite something to witness.
Of course, on this occasion, the importance outweighed the quality as this effort won Portugal the European Championship for the first time in their entire history beating France in their own backyard.
9. Michael Ballack vs Austria (Euro 2008)
One of the most powerfully struck free-kicks you will ever see. Ballack absolutely rifled this free-kick from 30-yards out into the top corner of the net to give the Germans a narrow victory over the tournaments' co-hosts Austria.
This goal was also very important as it sent the Germans through to the knockout stages where they eventually went on to reach the final.
8. Maniche vs Netherlands (Euro 2004)
This was one of those unstoppable strikes that no goalkeeper in the world was ever going to save. As soon as Maniche received the ball, he had one thing on his mind and that was to hit a thunderbolt into the back of the net which he successfully did.
Not only was the quality of this goal something special, but its importance was arguably bigger as it sent Portugal through to their first-ever final at a major international tournament.
7. Zlatan Ibrahimovic vs France (Euro 2012)
Typically from Ibrahimovic, the technique on this effort was simply sublime as it flew past the goalkeeper before he could even see it. Another goal to add the Swedish strikers' catalogue of special ones.
Unfortunately, the only disappointment here was that the goal meant very little as Sweden were already eliminated from the competition after losing their previous two games.
6. Karel Poborsky vs Portugal (Euro 1996)
This is a truly wonderful goal to watch. Arguably the greatest of Poborsky's career and what a stage to do it on. The way he simply glides through the Portuguese defence and then audaciously chips the ball over the goalkeeper was delightful.
While the quality of the goal was special, so was its importance as it was sent Czech Republic through to the semi-finals of the tournament and they eventually went on to reach the final.
5. Antonin Panenka vs West Germany (Euro 1976)
This may have not technically been during a game, but it still and always will remain, one of the most iconic Euro moments ever.
If you have ever wondered where and when the Panenka penalty began, then this was the moment. Best word to describe this? Revolutionary.
To attempt an effort like this at this at any point in any game would take a tremendous amount of courage, but to do in a penalty-shootout to win your country a major tournament takes nerves of steel. Thankfully, for Panenka it paid off and he won his country their first and only ever major tournament.
4. Zlatan Ibrahimovic vs Italy (Euro 2004)
Another memorable goal at the European Championships from Ibrahimovic. The best word to describe this one would be audacious.
To even attempt this sort of effort would have been brave, but to do it and pull it off was quite incredible. Not only was this goal memorable in terms of its quality, but it was also very important as it eventually caused Sweden and Denmark to advance through to the knockout stages ahead of Italy.
3. Xherdan Shaqiri vs Poland (Euro 2016)
The Swiss winger has made a habit of scoring fantastic goals, but this might well be the best of his entire career. The only shame for him and his team-mates was, they went on to lose the last 16 tie on penalties.
Everything this goal was spectacular. The athleticism, the connection, the power he generates, and the fact the ball lands exactly in the bottom corner of the net.
2. Paul Gascoigne vs Scotland (Euro 1996)
This undoubtedly remains one of the most iconic goals ever scored at the European Championships. Not only was the brilliance of the goal memorable, but the unique celebration which came afterwards certainly was as well.
The quality was one thing, but the fact Gascoigne produced this on English soil against their arch enemy Scotland made it an even better moment.
1. Marco van Basten vs Soviet Union (Euro 1988)
Even to this day, it is still hard to believe that Van Basten was able to volley one into the back of the net from such a tight angle. Not to mention, the execution was out of this world.
What makes this moment even more memorable is the fact that Netherlands went on to win the tournament with van Basten finishing as the top-scorer and netting in the final, once again, against the Soviet Union.
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