20 reasons why we still love Euro '96

One minute after Gary McAllister missed a crucial penalty for Scotland, Paul 'Gazza' Gascoigne treated the world to one of the most sublime goals in history. He followed it up with an iconic celebration which stuck two fingers up to his critics.

It's hard to believe now, but Alan Shearer was in danger of losing his spot in the England team prior to Euro '96. The striker had failed to score in 12 international matches before the tournament, but ended up with the Golden Boot after hitting five goals.

Two memorable moments of the tournament came from the deftest of touches. Both Davor Suker and Karel Poborsky kept their cool to score goals which have been replayed constantly ever since.

Where do we start? The legends who competed in England included Jurgen Klinsmann, Zinedine Zidane, Hristo Stoichkov, Paolo Maldini, Michael Laudrup, Dennis Bergkamp, Gheorghe Hagi and Luis Figo.

The tournament was held across stadiums throughout England, including the grounds of five teams who no longer play in the Premier League: Leeds United, Sheffield Wednesday, Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa and Newcastle United.

Three Lions by Baddiel & Skinner & Lightning Seeds isn't simply one of the greatest football songs of all time, it's one of the best moments of music across all genres throughout every period of time. And to think, the official song for the tournament was sung by Simply Red...

Controversial, talkative, and charismatic: Terry Venables defined football management in the 80s and 90s, and his leadership of England during the tournament was Churchchill-esque in its grandeur and inspiration.

Goals signify glory, but Teddy Sheringham's telepathic understanding with Alan Shearer was about more just putting the ball in the back of the net. Sheringham's elegant assist to Shearer during the 4-1 victory over Holland typified their partnership.

Although 90s fashion has been returning to popularity, we'd still like to see a return to some of the lovably garish kit combinations of 20 years ago.

Look up the word 'courage' in the dictionary and you'll see a definition for the word. Search for it in your heart, and an image of Stuart Pearce sinking his vital penalty against Spain will emerge from beneath the wasteland. Six years on from his miss in the 1990 World Cup, Psycho soaked up the pressure and emitted a roar heard around the world.

Such was the optimism sweeping through the nation during 1996, people actually took Uri Geller's claims somewhat seriously that he'd moved the ball during Gary McAllister's penalty against England.

No, don't worry, we're not going to relive that traumatic moment. Instead watch the Pizza Hut advert that Southgate appeared in some months later.

While English interests in the tournament ended after Southgate's miss in the semi-finals, the Czech Republic sensationally reached the final after playing sublime attacking football. Although they narrowly lost the final against Germany, many of their players including Patrick Berger, Pavel Nedvěd and Karel Poborsky signed for huge clubs after the tournament.

Sorry Scottish fans, but it made a lot of English fans doubly happy that conceding a 78th minute goal against Holland meant that Scotland were eliminated from Euro '96. If only Uri Geller hadn't moved that ball...

Just look at him. That hair. That moustache. A genial personality with an authoritative yet sympathetic tone. When Des Lynham anchored a football match, you knew you were in for a special night.

Goliath was the Des Lynham of mascots, and actually looked a little bit like him too.

The very first Golden Goal in international history was scored by Oliver Bierhoff for Germany against the Czech Republic in the final of 'Euro 96. Very useful for pub quizzes this one.

Blur vs Oasis, Trainspotting, Ozwald Boateng suits, the debut of the Spice Girls... 1996 reflected a sea change in English attitude, and Euro '96 encapsulated the moving nature of politics and culture in the country.

It's true. Euro '96 was the last major tournament where people could pull a sickie and get away with it no questions asked. By the 1998 World Cup, new protocols were put in place by the Institute of Personnel and Development.

In truth, it wasn't a classic tournament. Few games produced goals, the stadiums weren't always full, and Hooch was the defining drink of the era. But rose coloured lenses are sometimes the only thing that keeps us going, and nostalgia is a vitally important and underrated area of human psychology. And come on, you need to see Gazza's goal again.