HistoryData
sports1988

UEFA Euro 1988 finals — final game of the UEFA Euro 1988

June 25, 1988

The Netherlands defeated the Soviet Union 2–0 to claim their first ever UEFA European Championship title.

Quick Facts

Year
1988
Category
sports

Key Facts

Final score
Netherlands 2–0 Soviet Union
Attendance
72,308 spectators
Venue
Olympiastadion, Munich
Referee
Michel Vautrot (France)
Netherlands final appearance
First European Championship final
Soviet Union final appearance
Fourth European Championship final

Location

Map of Munich, West GermanyMap of Munich, West GermanyMunich, West Germany

Cause → Event → Consequence

Cause

Both finalists emerged from Group 2, where the Soviet Union finished first and the Netherlands second. The Soviet Union eliminated Italy in the semi-finals, while the Netherlands knocked out host nation West Germany, setting up the final pairing at the eighth UEFA European Championship.

Event

The final was played on 25 June 1988 at the Olympiastadion in Munich before 72,308 spectators and refereed by Michel Vautrot of France. The Netherlands faced the Soviet Union in a match decided by a 2–0 scoreline in favour of the Dutch.

Consequence

The Netherlands secured their first ever UEFA European Championship title with the 2–0 victory, marking a landmark achievement in Dutch international football history. The Soviet Union, despite reaching their fourth European Championship final, finished as runners-up.

Result

Netherlands
2–0
Soviet Union

at Olympiastadion, Munich, West Germany

First UEFA European Championship title for the Netherlands

Timeline Context

Timeline around 19881988198519861987198919901991Athletics at the 1988 Summer Olympics — Track and field athletics events during the 1988 Summer OlympicsBasketball at the 1988 Summer Olympics — international basketball tournament1988 AFC Asian Cup — international football competition1988 African Cup of Nations — football tournamentFencing at the 1988 Summer Olympics1988 Summer Olympics medal table — distribution of medals at the 1988 Summer Olympics1988 Summer Olympics — Games of the XXIV Olympiad, in Seoul, South Korea1988 Formula One World Championship — sports seasonuefa-euro-1988-finals-final-game-of-the-uefa-euro-1988-1988