E is for Euro Championships

England have qualified for eight European Championships since its conception in 1960 - but the furthest they have progressed is the Semi-Final stage.

Upon qualifying for the first time in 1968, the Three Lions managed to reach the Semi-Final in Italy after defeating Spain 3-1 on aggregate with goals from Martin Peters, Bobby Charlton and Norman Hunter.

The next 20 years were largely barren with the Three Lions failing to qualify for the knockout stages until 1996, which was the year that 'football came home'. The championships were held in England, 30 years after the World Cup success, and the country united to support Terry Venables' boys.

In the opening match England claimed a 1-1 draw with Switzerland thanks to an Alan Shearer goal.

It was midway through the second-half of the next game against the 'auld enemy' Scotland that the tournament really came to life. Paul Gascoigne's exquisite piece of skill helped fire England to a 2-0 victory to send Wembley into raptures.

In their final group match England destroyed a much-fancied Holland side 4-1, playing some wonderful football in the process. Gazza was in irresistible form, and Shearer and Teddy Sheringham produced a sensational striking performance.

England defeated Spain on penalties in the quarter-finals with the brave Stuart Pearce - whose spot kick and celebration remain the defining memory - and goalkeeper David Seaman amongst the heroes.

England went on to face Germany at Wembley for a place in the final. It was another tense encounter which went into extra-time following a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes.

England did everything except score in the extra period, Gascoigne coming within millimetres of connecting with Shearer's centre which would have given England a golden goal that would have taken them through.

However, just as in the 1990 World Cup, penalties would be England's nemesis, losing in sudden death following Gareth Southgate's miss - though the players were viewed as heroes by the English public.

Penalties were also the way England were eliminated from the last European Championships, this time by the hosts Portugal at the quarter-final stage.