As we edge closer and closer to the start of Euro 2020, many fans are curious to see what we get from the opening game between Italy and Turkey.
The Azzurri are viewed as dark horses to win the whole tournament whereas Turkey haven’t been goal-shy in recent games – and as the underdogs, they’ll be more than happy to play the role of spoiler on Friday.
But before it all kicks off we thought it’d be interesting to see what went down in the opening fixture of the last five editions of the European Championship.
France 2-1 Romania – Euro 2016
Believe it or not, but this is the only instance on this list where the host nation wins the opening game.
A tense affair saw Les Bleus being held by the Romanians right up until the final few minutes when a sensational 20-yard belter from then-West Ham star Dimitri Payet handed them all three points.
Poland 1-1 Greece – Euro 2012
It seemed like the dream start to the tournament for Poland when Robert Lewandowski put them 1-0 up in Warsaw – but from there, things seemed to unravel.
The Greeks scored an equaliser early on in the second half and from there, the game just seemed to fizzle out with neither side being able to assert their authority.
Switzerland 0-1 Czech Republic – Euro 2008
Switzerland’s energy and strong sense of urgency may have come from their hosting duties, but unfortunately for them, they couldn’t maintain it.
A below-par Czech Republic battled back into the affair with Vaclav Sverkos scoring the winner with 20 minutes to go.
Portugal 1-2 Greece – Euro 2004
In what proved to be a stunning preview of the final, underdogs Greece shocked Europe with an upset win over hosts Portugal.
They raced into a 2-0 lead with real efficiency and between scoring a consolation goal and conceding a penalty, Cristiano Ronaldo had a busy but unbelievably disappointing night at the office.
Germany 1-1 Romania – Euro 2000
Romania wanted to make a statement and boy oh boy did they achieve that goal.
Viorel Moldovan made it 1-0 within five minutes only for the Germans to equalise through Mehmet Scholl, leading many to believe they were going to run away with it.
Alas, they didn’t, as the trend of unpredictability at the Euros went on.
Featured image credit: Getty