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#2 Netherlands, 1976
The Dutch made their Euro debut in 1976 in Yugoslavia. They were considered the favorites to win the tournament as they fielded 14 of the 22 players who took the team to the 1974 World Cup Final.
Led by one of the world’s greatest players in Johann Cryuff, the side boasted of other star players like Johann Neeskens, Johnny Rep, Rob Rensenbrink, Willy van de Kerkhof, Rene van de Kerkhof and Ruud Krol.
The first match of the Netherlands was up against Czechoslovakia, who they were expected to overcome. However, disaster struck in the 19th minute when Anton Ondrus put Czechoslovakia ahead. The Dutch equalised in the 77th minute through an own goal by Ondrus himself ironically.
The match went to extra time and Czechoslovakia scored 2 goals in 4 minutes to eliminate The Netherlands. The Dutch then played Yugoslavia in the 3rd place play-off where they won 3-2 in extra time.
Even though the Netherlands claimed 3rd place, they were expected to go a lot further and had their path cut out by a Czechoslovakia side who themselves expected to finish 4th.
