Czech Republic

One of the great underdog stories in European Championship history. Still widely admired, though not always given full credit due to their final defeat. Runners-up at Euro 96, knocking out Italy and Portugal, and holding France. Came within golden goal distance of winning it all. Poborský’s lob. Karel Brückner’s midfield. A cult team rather than a widely mythologised one, but left a strong legacy in Czech football. Poborský’s lob vs Portugal is iconic. The golden goal heartbreak vs Germany was agonising — a final that could have rewritten football history. They had flair, grit, belief… and a bit of magic dust. Their run from obscurity to the brink of glory was packed with surprises and style.