Euros 2021 is in full swing, with newspapers and websites nostalgic for Euro 96 and England.
The 1996 tournament, held in England, celebrates its 25th anniversary this year and, once again, fans are transported to those sunny and heady days.
But why was it so special and why did it capture the heart of the nation?
Euro 2020: What happened in England’s opening match in 1996?
The tournament started (pun intended) at Wembley when England played Switzerland.
If ever a tournament failed to provide an explosive takeoff, it was this first game.
England got off to a good start thanks to Alan Shearer’s goal in the 23rd minute, but as the match progressed, the Swiss team came back in.
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When they tied in the 83rd minute, England fans felt that overwhelming familiar feeling they had come to know all too well.
But nothing could prepare them, or the nation, for what would come next.
What happened when England played Scotland?
Before the tournament, the tabloid press had criticized star player Paul Gascoigne and his group of teammates for partying during a team meeting.
The Sun screamed “DISGRACEFOOL” as Gazza, topless and soaked in alcohol, stared at three leaves in the wind.
Back on the pitch, England took on Scotland on a sweltering day in a game that both teams must win.
Once again, England got ahead thanks to Shearer.
However, like Switzerland, Scotland came back in and won a penalty.
The next minute would change the course of the tournament for both teams.
Gary McAllister’s pitch was saved by David Seaman and then in an instant the ball quickly went to the other end where Gazza threw the ball over a defender and it flew to the back of the net.
One of the biggest goals in England history by a player who only a few weeks earlier had made headlines for the wrong reasons!
How did they celebrate? Gazza lay down on the field and his teammates sprayed sports drinks in his mouth, reenacting the ‘dentist’s chair’ drinking game they played during the pre-tournament meeting.
What happened in the rest of the tournament?
After crushing a much-desired Dutch team 4-1, the nation suddenly began to believe.
The flags were everywhere, the sun was shining and it seemed like everyone was upside down.
The quarterfinals saw England face a determined Spanish team, and the match went to penalties.
Stuart Pearce walked over.
The Nottingham Forest left-back was in tears when he missed a crucial penalty on penalties during the 1990 World Cup semi-final.
It was redemption time, and after he slammed her into the net, he turned to the crowd and screamed as six years of anguish suddenly disappeared.
Unfortunately, the semi-final did not turn out the same for England.
After dominating Germany, the game went back to penalties.
Where Pearce had been six years before, it was now Gareth Southgate, who missed the crucial penalty.
England were out, incredibly, when it looked like they were going to win the tournament.
Why was it so special?
In addition to having a great team, England as a nation suddenly came together as one.
Britpop had taken over, the Spice Girls were happening in a big way, Cool Britannia was in full flight and the sun was shining gloriously.
And then you had Three Lions.
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Written by comedians David Baddiel and Frank Skinner (who hosted the hit soccer show Fantasy Football League on BBC Two) and Lightning Seeds singer Ian Broudie, the song became a huge hit.
It was sung in the stands, in pubs and bars, in the windows, and it was constantly on the radio (yes, people listened to radios back then) and on the streets.
Gazza’s goal and celebration, the summer sun, a revival of British culture, and Three Lions made the summer of ’96 really special.
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