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1968 UEFA Euro Championship, Italy

The 1968 UEFA European Championship, the third edition of the tournament, took place in Italy from June 5 to June 10.

UEFA Euro 1968 Final - Italian captain Giacinto Facchetti with the trophy

This championship marked a notable change, as it was the first time the tournament was officially named the "European Championship," replacing the previous title of "European Nations Cup."

The tournament format featured a knockout stage with four teams—Italy, Yugoslavia, England, and the Soviet Union—competing in the finals.

The final was held at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. The first match, between Italy and Yugoslavia, ended in a 1-1 draw. Italy triumphed in the replay with a convincing 2-0 victory, thanks to goals to Luigi Riva and Pietro Anastasi.

England, the reigning World Cup champions, went on to secure third place by beating the Soviet Union 2-0 in the consolation match.

This edition is remembered for its introduction of the coin toss tiebreaker and the dramatic final replay that cemented Italy's place in European football history.

Trivia

• The UEFA European Nations Cup changed to the current name, UEFA European Championship, in 1968.
• In the 1968 tournament, it was the first time that winners were decided via a coin toss if the score was tied after extra time. It was not the case for the Final, where a draw after extra time led to a replay.

Related Pages

• UEFA Euro Home
• UEFA Euro Host Countries List
• UEFA Euro Winners List
• UEFA Euro Trivia
• The Year in Sport: 1968

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