5 reasons why Euro 96 was the most memorable Euros ever

The games were average, the attendances weren't great and the hosts went out in the semi-finals, but Euro '96 was about much more than football, as anyone who remembers it will testify.

But while it's probably impossible for anyone under the age of 25 to understand the impact of Euro '96, using only YouTube as their guide – that tournament is still regarded as one of the most pivotal in the recent history of English football.

For those who don't remember that summer, it's difficult to explain just what an impact this tournament had on the nation and the game as a whole. 

The competition, of course, was hosted in England: it was the first time the Home Nation had staged a major competition since the World Cup in 1966.

The Three Lions rose to the occasion on home soil. Terry Venables' side put on some stirring displays to advance all the way to the semi-finals, which still remains England's highest Euro finish to this day.

But it was not just the England football team who made the tournament a memorable one, though.

25 years since the tournament took place in England, The Business Standard (TBS) finds out the top 5 moments for which Euro 96 remains one of the game's all-time greatest spectacles.

1) Gazza's 'dentist chair' celebration

The first memorable moment from Euro 96 comes from England's clash with Scotland.

England won the clash 2-0 thanks to strikes from Alan Shearer and a simply stunning effort from Paul Gascoigne:

The pair, of course, have a fairly bitter rivalry, which made Gascoigne's stunning goal that bit more special.

Paul Gascoigne's goal, though, was remembered for more than being one of the best in European Championship history, with the celebration after the fact also grabbing the headlines.

Around a month before Euro 1996, England players, including Gascoigne, found themselves at the mercy of the British press after being spotted drunk in a Hong Kong nightclub.

Amongst the headlines in the media was 'DISGRACEFOOL' from the Sun, whose front cover showed Gascoigne, Teddy Sheringham and Steve McManaman covered in boose.

The reason for this was that at the nightclub they were spotted in, bartenders would pour spirits into the mouths of those attending, which was described as the 'dentist chair'.

2) Hristo Stoichkov scored in every Bulgaria game

Bulgaria didn't have the best Euro 96, as the eastern Europeans exited the tournament in the first round.

However, Bulgarian legend Hristo Stoichkov left his mark on the competition, as he scored in each of Bulgaria's three group games.

Stoichkov scored a penalty against Spain, a solo stunner versus Romania and a majestic free-kick against France.

As a result, Stoichkov was named in the Team of the Tournament.

3) The surprise package

Every tournament usually throws up a surprise package that few expected to progress past through the group stages, and Euro 96 was no exception.

Czech Republic were 66/1 outsiders to win at the start of the competition, but with the likes of Patrik Berger, Pavel Kuka and Poborsky at the top of their game, they went on to beat Italy, Portugal and France on their way to an unexpected place in the final.

4) Three Lions (Baddiel, Skinner & Lightning Seeds)

Away from the pitch, Euro 96 ruled the radio airwaves too.

While most will still argue that New Order's 'World in Motion' remains the greatest ever football soundtrack, 'Three Lions' from David Baddiel, France Skinner & Lightning Seeds is almost second the second-best football track ever.

Combining two of the era's cultural touchstones, Britpop and laddism, the track not only reached number one in both 1996 and 1998, it was also chanted in unison at virtually every England game for the next decade.

5)  Davor Suker's chip vs Denmark

Croatia and Denmark would play out a highly entertaining affair in a Group D clash that summer.

With Denmark having dropped points in their opening tie and Croatia playing group favourites, Portugal, in their final outing, both sides knew that a win would likely see them secure second spot in Group D.

In the end, it would be Croatia who blew the Danes away with a resounding 3-0 victory that provided a fair bit of entertainment for neutrals.

The highlight of the day, however, came in the 90th minute when Davor Suker chipped legendary keeper, Peter Schmeichel.

Suker would later play for two English clubs: first Arsenal and then West Ham.