England’s journey through the last five European Championships has been a rollercoaster of emotions, featuring moments of brilliance intermingled with periods of profound disappointment.
From being knocked out early at the start of the millennium to their near-triumph in 2021, each tournament has left its mark on English football history.
With the England to win Euro 2024 odds highlighting a potential success for the Three Lions in Germany this summer, here’s a look back at how England have fared in these continental contests since 2000.
Euro 2020: Group stage disappointment
Hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands, Euro 2000 was a tournament to forget for England. Managed by Kevin Keegan, the Three Lions harboured high hopes but ultimately fell at the first hurdle.
Despite a 1-0 victory over Germany, 3-2 losses to Portugal and Romania meant England exited in the group stages.
The tournament was notable for the emergence of young talents like Steven Gerrard and Michael Owen, who would go on to become stalwarts for England in subsequent years.
Euro 2004: The quarter-final heartbreak
By Euro 2004 in Portugal, England, under Sven-Göran Eriksson, boasted a ‘golden generation’ including the likes of David Beckham, Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard, and Gerrard.
The Three Lions progressed from their group in second place behind France and faced the hosts in the quarter-finals.
Owen gave England the lead after just three minutes, but a late equaliser from Helder Postiga forced extra-time.
Rui Costa fired Portugal in front in additional time before Lampard’s late strike salvaged a penalty shoot-out. England lost 6-5 due to misses from Beckham and Darius Vassell.
Euro 2012: More penalty woe
Having embarrassingly failed to qualify for Euro 2008, we move on to Euro 2013 in Poland and Ukraine, where England suffered another defeat on penalties in the quarters.
Managed by Roy Hodgson, England topped their group unbeaten and went on to face Italy in the last eight of the competition.
The match ended goalless, and when Riccardo Montolivo missed Italy’s second spot-kick it looked like it was an advantage for England in the shootout.
However, Ashley Young and Ashley Cole went on to miss for the Three Lions and the Azzurri progressed to the semi-finals with a 4-2 win.
Euro 2016: Stunned by Iceland
Another embarrassing chapter in England’s history at the European Championships, Euro 2016 in France saw the Three Lions suffer a shocking defeat to Iceland in the round of 16.
With Hodgson still at the helm, England stuttered out of their group when finished second following a victory over Wales but draws with Russia and Slovakia.
Despite their less-than-convincing performances, the Three Lions were still expected to coast past Iceland in the last 16.
Rooney gave England the lead after just four minutes, but Iceland quickly equalised and went 2-1 up after 18 minutes, which is how the game ended.
Euro 2020: So near, yet so far
Delayed by a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Euro 2020 was held in 2021 across various European venues.
Under Gareth Southgate, England reached their first major tournament final since the 1966 World Cup — and it was at the same venue: Wembley.
Buoyed by a dynamic squad, England impressed throughout the tournament, topping their group and defeating Germany, Ukraine, and Denmark on route to the final.
The final was tightly contested, ending 1-1 after extra-time. The dreaded penalty shootout again proved England’s undoing, with Italy emerging as champions.
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Looking ahead, England’s performances in the last five Euros reflect a mix of underachievement and progress, with the team showing signs of growing from past failures.
The journey from perennial underachievers to finalists marks significant development, setting up high expectations in the Euro 2024 betting.