From Argentina to…Zaire: The Top Ten World Cup Shirts of All Time

The football jerseys that supporters clamour to buy ahead of the tournament are also part and parcel of the World Cup experience. they are inseparable from the glorious World Cup context we know them from and the memories that they’ve played a role in creating. There have been plenty of absolute beauties over the years, but we’ve done our best to pick out our top ten.

The History of The UEFA Euro: 1988, Van Basten and the Dutch Conquest

Euro 1988 is remembered for many different reasons but mostly for Marco Van Basten's performances that led the Netherlands to the title. After missing the last three major tournaments, the Dutch had made their long-awaited return with a team very similar to the dream team of Johan Cruijff in the 1970s.

The History of The UEFA Euro: 1980, The Belgium Challenge

UEFA Euro 1980 would see an introduction to a new-look tournament featuring eight teams. Italy did not make it past the group stage but cemented the base of a side that would go on to become World Cup champions two years later. Belgium's golden generation proved to be the tournament surprise despite losing to mighty West Germany in the Final.

The History of The UEFA Euro: 1976, The Year of The Panenka

Euro 1976 seemed set to give us another chapter of an unfolding football rivalry as West Germany and the Netherlands found themselves together at the latter stages of a European Finals for the first time. However, the stage was stolen by Czechoslovakia and a mostly unknown player whose name would eventually go on to become a verb: Antonin Panenka.

The History of The UEFA Euro: 1972, Dream Debut for West Germany

Belgium seemed to be a fitting neutral host nation in the climate of Cold War relations and it was perhaps for that reason that it was chosen to host the European Championship in 1972. The tournament retained the four-team format that had by now become familiar and there was no doubt as to which team went into it as favorites: Gerd Muller's debuting West Germany.