Upsets and dominance

The 1992 Euro saw the first major upset in the competition's history. After West Germany won the World Cup 1990, they were favourites for the title, especially since they were fielding the first-ever unified German team.

However, it was Denmark who eventually took the title home after a dramatic turn of events. The Danes had failed to qualify for the tournament, but in the face of the Balkan crisis, Yugoslavia had been expelled from the tournament and the Danish invited in their place in the last minute.

Their talismanic playmaker Michael Laudrup decided against taking part, further weakening an already docile side. However, with just two weeks of training before the tournament, the Danes shocked the world with their conquest of Europe.

Knocking out the much-vaunted French and Dutch sides, they took a 2-0 lead in the final against Germany, which they would not relinquish.

The 1996 Euros marked the first time that the Golden Goal rule was applied and it was when the Germans would capture a third European glory.

They knocked out hosts England on penalties in the semis and in the final, Patrik Berger put Czech Republic ahead from the spot. However, substitute Oliver Bierhoff headed an equaliser before scoring the first golden goal in a major tournament's final four minutes into extra time.

In the next iteration of the tournament, 16 years on from Platini's brilliance, France would add the European crown to their 1998 World Cup glory, led by another influential midfielder -- Zinedine Zidane.

The French advanced to the semifinals with a 2-1 win over Spain, with Raul Gonzalez missing a last-minute penalty.

Against Portugal in the next round, it was an extra-time win for Les Blues, as Zidane converted a controversial penalty to seal the win before going on to end Italy's hopes of a first major trophy since 1968 in the final as Sylvian Wiltord equalised in the dying embers of the match and an emphatic David Trezeguet volley sealed the win 13 minutes into extra time.

In the opening match of Euro 2004, there was a great deal of foreshadowing as Greece shocked hosts Portugal 2-1. The two teams would make their own fairytale runs to the final of the tournament, where Portugal would once-again be defeated by a one-goal margin.

Portugal defeated England and Netherlands in the knockout phase, while Greece knocked out holders France and needed-extra time to see off the highly-fancied Czechs and in the final, it was Otto Rehhagel's Greek side that completed the job.

From there till the last Euros, it was the domination of Spain. Long-denounced as perennial chokers, the unexpected Spanish Inquisition and their tiki-taka -- embodied by Xavi --had an iron grip on world football. Ending their 44-year wait for a trophy in the 2008 Euro, La Furia Roja went on to capture the 2010 World Cup before adding another European glory to their crown in 2012.

Their astonishing implosion at the 2014 World Cup aside, the Spanish team -- aided by their two European crowns, a host of stars and unique style of play championed by Xavi-- cemented their legacy as one of the best sides in football history.