In 2000 Italy had Nesta, Maldini and Cannavaro all in or around peak form. What more can you ask for.

Well, you know. Not to give up 2 penalties or a last-minute equalizer.

jason voorhees wrote:

QUOTE:
Well, you know. Not to give up 2 penalties or a last-minute equalizer.

Hey, these things happen. Great players are great players.

This is an intrinsically difficult thing to do, especially for the many frequent posters who didn't see Euro '84 or some of the subsequent tournaments, but I would argue that we now have three "top shelf" tournaments since the Euros really became a tournament in 1980.

For me, the ranking is 1) 2000; 2) 1984; and 3) 2008; but they all are very worthy of a place on the podium.

One thing this version lacked compared to the other two was a genuine classic among the last three matches played (Germany-Turkey was dramatic, but can't hold a candle to matches like the 2000 Final or France-Portugal in 1984).

It pains me that the 2000 final is considered "classic." Classic ultimate flameout, maybe. Should have been 2-0 after 90 minutes.

It's classic in the way that Traviata or Tosca are classic, Bruno.

Great tournament. GREAT tournament. Worthy winners. Lets see in a years time, if we look back and say, wow, I wish the Euros were this year.

The only failing this tournament had were the defences. Some shocking, others just sublimely awful. It did make for great games. Not necessarily brilliantly skilful. Which sort of gives 2000 the edge. And of course Zidane was majestic.