Retro: When football came home to Sheffield for Euro 96

It's one of the defining moments in Sheffield's recent history, the year football really did come home to England '“ and our city was packed to the rafters with fans.
By The Newsroom
Published 3rd Feb 2016, 14:20 BST
Updated 3rd Feb 2016, 14:24 BST
Danish fans waveing good-bye to Sheffield and Euro 96 after their countrys last game at Hillsborough in which they failed to qualify for the Quarter Finals.Danish fans waveing good-bye to Sheffield and Euro 96 after their countrys last game at Hillsborough in which they failed to qualify for the Quarter Finals.
Danish fans waveing good-bye to Sheffield and Euro 96 after their countrys last game at Hillsborough in which they failed to qualify for the Quarter Finals.

Euro ’96 was – as you can tell by the name – 20 years ago this year.

It remains the most recent time England has hosted a major football tournament, and although we are due to host the semi-final and final of Euro 2020, it is unlikely that Hillsborough will be chosen this time.

Croatia's Daver Suker scores his second and his teams third in their 3-0 victory over Denmark in Euro 96 at HillsboroughCroatia's Daver Suker scores his second and his teams third in their 3-0 victory over Denmark in Euro 96 at Hillsborough
Croatia's Daver Suker scores his second and his teams third in their 3-0 victory over Denmark in Euro 96 at Hillsborough

But what a tournament!

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Sheffield hosted three group games, involving four nations – Denmark, Croatia, Portugal and Turkey.

The most memorable of the lot was surely Croatia’s 3-0 win over defending champions Denmark, where star striker Daver Suker netted twice, including a brilliant chip to beat Peter Schmeichel in front of a packed Hillsborough crowd.

Denmark drew with Portugal 1-1 in the first group game in Sheffield, on the second day of the tournament on June 9.

Pictured in Orchard Sqaure, Sheffield, where Danish fans gathered for a concert of Eric Clapton Jam.Pictured in Orchard Sqaure, Sheffield, where Danish fans gathered for a concert of Eric Clapton Jam.
Pictured in Orchard Sqaure, Sheffield, where Danish fans gathered for a concert of Eric Clapton Jam.

But it wasn’t just about the football.

Apart from putting Sheffield on the international stage, the tournament brought thousands of international fans into the city.

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The thousands of Danish fans were famously good-natured, taking over parts of the city.

Everywhere you went, for a couple of weeks, were red and white flags, shirts, wigs and scarves.

Police and Danish Fans swop Headgear in Hillsborough Park before Euro 96 clash between Croatia and Denmark.Police and Danish Fans swop Headgear in Hillsborough Park before Euro 96 clash between Croatia and Denmark.
Police and Danish Fans swop Headgear in Hillsborough Park before Euro 96 clash between Croatia and Denmark.

The Danes even took to ‘worshipping’ the clock tower in Orchard Square in a strange ritual.

They created a party atmosphere wherever they went and joined in a Euro ’96-themed music festival in the city centre.

It may not have been a winning tournament for the England team, after the agony of a semi-final defeat by Germany, but Euro ’96 will always be a Sheffield success story.

Related topics:SheffieldDenmarkEnglandPortugalHillsboroughCroatiaTurkey