5 best performances in European Championship history

Filling the gaps between World Cups in a time where the European Championship didn't exist seems like torture.

Thankfully, the bright minds in Europe eventually introduced their own continental tournament, one that presently rivals the game's marquee event.

Although it took 20 years to implement a more competitive format - doubling the initial number of competitors from four to eight before ballooning to the current 24-team structure - the Euros have evolved into a competition just as anticipated as the World Cup after producing some of the most unpredictable title winners and unforgettable performances in football since 1960.

From Marco van Basten's otherworldly strike, to Denmark and Greece pulling off the ultimate upset, here's five of the best performances at the Euros:

France vs. Portugal: Platini's late winner sets France up for 1st Euro trophy

Years before lifting the World Cup trophy on home soil, France captured the nation's hearts with an inspiring performance at Euro '84 that produced the country's first triumph on the international stage.

In front of a home crowd desperate for success at a major tournament, Michel Platini almost single-handedly helped the hosts deliver a trophy to a nation whose past failures at major tournaments must have made the taste of victory so much sweeter.

Platini's tournament-leading ninth goal in the final against Spain before raising the Henri Delaunay Trophy was only made possible by the country's dramatic semi-final victory over Portugal. The encounter looked destined for penalties until the Frenchman's strike in the 119th minute made it 3-2 and ensured a place in an international final for the first time.

Holland vs. Soviet Union: Van Basten becomes a legend with audacious volley

While the Euros tend to leave a memorable match or two engraved in memories for years, Marco van Basten's strike in the 1988 final easily overshadows any other moment at that tournament, and the entire history of the European Championship.

The contest marks the point that allowed the Dutch to shed its inferiority complex after two straight second-place finishes at the World Cup. Similar to Platini's dominant competition in '84, the Netherlands relied on red-hot Van Basten to provided his team with a spark in the most desperate times.

Yet none of his five goals, or any goal in his injury-shortened career, will ever compare to the tight-angled volley he scored against the Soviets to secure Holland's championship with a 2-0 win.

(Courtesy: RetroGoalsHD)

Denmark vs. Germany: Danes stump world champs Germany

In a sporting sense, Denmark ended up being one of the unlikely nations to benefit from the break-up of Yugoslavia when the country was gifted with a berth into the 1992 edition of the tournament as a result of the unrest in the Eastern European nation.

Although few expected much from a nation that failed to qualify through the traditional route, Denmark displayed the determination of a team sparked by its underdog label and went on to pull off a massive upset.

Led by Henrik Larsen's scoring touch, and Brian Laudrup's lethal combination of speed and vision, Denmark produced a stunning win in the finals when it edged past defending World Cup champions Germany with a 1-0 win, securing the country's first and only major honour.

Greece vs. Portugal: Greece comes out of nowhere to stun the world

Going up against the hosts looked like end of Greece's fairy-tale journey at Euro 2004. Despite beating Portugal in the opening match of the tournament, the odds were still stacked against a Greek side that lacked the type of elite talent its opposition on the other side of the pitch possessed, as captain Luis Figo and a young Cristiano Ronaldo attempted to deliver a title to a nation without much to brag about in past international competitions.

But the Greeks, competing in the tournament for the first time in 24 years, spoiled the party by grinding out a third straight 1-0 win in the knockout stage for the right to be mentioned in the same breath as the other football powerhouses to win the European Championship.

Spain vs. Germany: Spain ends title drought in dominating fashion

The 2008 tournament sparked a period of dominance that continues to this day, as Spain overcame years of heartache to win the first of two continental titles.

A second-place finish at Euro '84 was all Spain had to brag about since winning in 1964. The years of frustration, however, ended in convincing style after Spain's unbeaten run concluded with an entertaining win over Germany on the heals of Fernando Torres' first-half goal.

Spain only got stronger as years went by, going on to win the 2010 World Cup and defending its Euro crown at the 2012 competition. The nation will look for a third consecutive Euro title once the contest begins in France.