History of the European Championship Part II: The 1980s

In part two of our ‘History of the European Championship’ series, we turn our attentions to the 1980s where the tournament expanded to eight nations with the introduction of a group stage.

This was the decade where Michel Platini produced one of the great European Championship performances as the Frenchman netted two hattricks on home soil in 1984 edition, finishing as the top goalscorer with nine as France clinched the title.

Marco van Basten was another player to shine in the European Championship during this decade as we reflect on the three tournaments which took place.

‘Reads from the Analyst’ is a production by The Analyst. Visit theanalyst.com for more data-driven storytelling or join in the conversation on Twitter and Instagram.

You can subscribe to all the podcasts from The Analyst on your favourite podcast applications now to ensure you don’t miss an episode. Don’t forget to rate and review the shows whilst you are there too.