1968 UEFA European Championship

The 1968 UEFA European Championship was a football tournament held in Italy, featuring national teams from Europe. It was the third edition and took place from June to July 1968. Eight teams competed in a knockout format, starting with quarter-finals. The Soviet Union team won the championship, defeating Yugoslavia 2-0 in the final held in Rome. The tournament was notable for its competitive matches and the debut of the now-famous "penalty shootout" to decide tied games. It helped popularize international football competitions and set the stage for future European championships.