Scotland at the UEFA European Football Championship

The UEFA European Football Championship is the main football competition of the men's national football teams governed by UEFA (the Union of European Football Associations). Held every four years since 1960, in the even-numbered year between World Cup tournaments, it was originally called the UEFA European Nations Cup, changing to the current name in 1968. Starting with the 1996 tournament, specific championships are often referred to in the form "Euro 2008" or whichever year is appropriate. Prior to entering the tournament all teams other than the host nations (which qualify automatically) compete in a qualifying process.

Scotland have participated in two UEFA European Football Championships finals, those held in 1992 and 1996. They have played six matches: winning two, drawing one and losing three. They have scored four goals and conceded five.

Euro 1992

Under the guidance of manager Andy Roxburgh, Scotland qualified for the UEFA European Championship for the first time in 1992.[1] A 1–0 defeat to Romania away from home left qualification dependent upon other results, but a 1–1 draw between Bulgaria and Romania in the final group match saw Scotland squeeze through as group winners.[2] Despite competing well in defeats against the Netherlands and Germany and a fine win against the CIS, the team was knocked out at the group stage.[2]

Euro 1996

Scotland played out a goalless draw against the Netherlands during Euro 1996.

After Scotland failed to qualify for the 1994 FIFA World Cup, Andy Roxburgh was replaced by Craig Brown as Scotland manager.[3] Brown successfully guided Scotland to the 1996 European Championship tournament, in second place behind Russia.[3] The first game at the tournament against the Netherlands ended 0–0, raising morale ahead of a much anticipated game against rivals England at Wembley Stadium.[3] Gary McAllister missed a penalty kick and a goal by Paul Gascoigne led to a 2–0 defeat. Scotland recovered to beat Switzerland 1–0 with a goal by Ally McCoist. England taking a 4–0 lead in the other match briefly put both teams in a position to qualify, but a late goal for the Netherlands meant that Scotland were eliminated on goals scored.[3] The Netherlands and Scotland both had four points and a goal difference of minus one.[4]

Records

Year Round GP W D L GS GA
France 1960Did not enter
Spain 1964
Italy 1968Did not qualify
Belgium 1972
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia 1976
Italy 1980
France 1984
West Germany 1988
Sweden 1992Round 1310233
England 1996Round 1311112
Belgium Netherlands 2000Did not qualify
Portugal 2004
Austria Switzerland 2008
Poland Ukraine 2012
France 2016 TBD
Totals2/14621345

See also

References

  1. ↑ "1992 – Small but perfectly formed". UEFA. 5 October 2003. Archived from the original on 21 April 2007. Retrieved 2007-05-15.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "European Championship 1992". Rec Sport Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 2007-05-15.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "Craig Brown's highs and lows". BBC Sport. BBC. 7 October 2001. Retrieved 2008-08-31.
  4. ↑ Barrie Courtney (14 March 2004). "England: International results 1995–1999 details". RSSSF. Retrieved 2010-07-18.