Much has been made over the years of the champions’ curse at the FIFA World Cup. Defending champions such as Germany, Spain, Italy, and France have all crashed out at the group stages when they entered as the defending champions. But in the European Championships, the holders have constantly struggled as well.
Only one team throughout the 64-year history of the European championship has ever successfully defended their title. That record remains intact this year as reigning champions Italy crashed out in the second round to underdogs Switzerland, following a lackluster display.
Now, the latests soccer betting odds make the likes of England and host Germany the favorites for glory, pricing the former as the +350 frontrunner and the latter as the +600 third-favorite, with Spain sandwiched in the middle at +425.
So, with the reigning champions making an early exit from the German-hosted showpiece, we decided to take a look at how the last three tournament holders have fared in the defense of their crown, starting with Italy.
Italy
Under the guidance of Roberto Mancini, unfancied Italy orchestrated a fairy-tale run in Euro 2020, winning hearts with their tactical expertise and vibrant football, despite being +1600 underdogs heading into the tournament. They were the stars of the show, winning all three of their group games before knocking off heavy hitters Belgium and Spain to book their place in the final.
There, they met England, who were hosting the showpiece fixture at the iconic Wembley Stadium, and it looked as though England would emerge victorious when Luke Shaw gave the Three Lions the lead after just three minutes. However, the Azzurri would strike back, equalizing thanks to Leonardo Bonnuci bundling home from close range in the second half. Then, giant goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma took center stage, saving penalties from Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka to take the trophy to Rome.
Not many expected the Italians to retain their crown, especially because the aforementioned Bonnuci, as well as his central defensive partner Giorgio Chiellini, had both ridden off into the sunset. And on this occasion, their naysayers would ultimately be proved correct. Lazio winger Mattia Zaccagni netted a 98th-minute equalizer against Croatia to put his side into the second round but unfortunately, that was as good as it would get. Goals from Remo Freuler and Ruben Vargas were enough to send the champions packing, following in the footsteps of other defending champions in recent years.
Portugal
Just as the Italians would a few years later, Portugal shockingly emerged victorious in 2016 after a less-than-impressive run throughout the tournament. Cristiano Ronaldo’s side didn’t win a single group game but still progressed to the knockout stages as a result of the expansion of the tournament and being one of the best-placed third-place teams. Then, they would require extra time and penalties to find their way past Croatia and Poland respectively. They beat Wales 2-0 in the semifinals, their only victory inside 90 minutes at the tournament, before meeting hosts France in the final.
Les Bleus were heavily favored to emerge victorious, odds that shortened drastically when the talismanic Ronaldo had to be substituted in the first half with an injury. However, the Portuguese dug deep, taking the tie to extra time, where unheralded striker Eder would lash home from a distance to secure the trophy.
Their defense of the crown at Euro 2020 was a disappointing one. They squeezed through the group stage after once again finishing in third place, but they would have no such luck this time around in the knockout stage. Belgium was the team that sent them packing, with Thorgan Hazard’s goal on the stroke of halftime enough to secure a 1-0 victory for the Red Devils.
Spain
Spain’s golden generation between 2008 and 2012 mesmerized the world with their “tiki-taka” football, becoming the only team in history to successfully defend the Euros after back-to-back triumphs, firstly in Austria and Switzerland and then once again in Poland and Ukraine four years later. Sandwiched between those two was their triumph in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, but by the time Euro 2016 rolled around, the wheels had already fallen off.
La Rojas fell victim to the aforementioned World Cup champions curse in Brazil in 2014, being dumped out in the group stage after losing to the Netherlands and Chile. They still had their back-to-back triumphs at the Euros to defend, though, in 2016. And while they would make it out of the group, unlike two years prior, unfortunately, they were a shadow of their former selves.
They progressed to the last 16 after finishing as runners-up to Croatia in Group D, but unfortunately for them, Antonio Conte’s Italy lay in wait. Goals from Giorgio Chiellini and a late strike from Graziano Pelle were enough to secure a 2-0 victory for the Azzurri, ending the Spanish dynasty once and for all.
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