With the summer fast approaching (thank goodness), we can be thankful again to the football calendar for providing us with plenty of exhilarating entertainment in the form of the European Championships. This offering of the fabled tournament is being hosted by Germany and the hosts are kicking us off in Munich against Scotland.
So with the upcoming tournament, we had a look back through our archives and have picked out our favourite shirts from the Euro's. This was a tall order and we have made some glaring omissions... We've picked out our fifteen favourites below, let us know who we definitely shouldn't have been left out and who you think shouldn't have made the cut! Without further ado, we start with the freshest drop for the upcoming 2024 tournament...
15. England 2024
With adidas recently dropping all of their kits for this summers Euro 2024 in Germany, we thought it would be nigh on impossible for anyone to top their releases. But Nike have come in swinging, and this particular piece made for England's men's and women's team belongs in the Louvre.
Shop our England section here
14. Belgium 1984
Donned by Enzo Scifo here during the 1984 Euro's that were hosted by France. A design that was so iconic it was reproduced by the Belgian Red Devils for the 2018 World cup. Sadly this shirt didn't make it out of the group stages, after early promising signs with a comfortable 2-0 win over Yugoslavia. The Belgians were then annihilated by eventual tournament winners, France, the game featured a Michel Platini hattrick and when the final whistle blew it was 5-0.
13. Spain 2000
This template was used en masse during the summer of 2000, it was sported by 8 teams, that's right, half of the tournament wore this style across Belgium and the Netherlands who shared hosting responsibilities this year. This colourway produced for Spain is our pick of the bunch though, worn by legends such as Raul, Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique.
12. France 1984
As previously mentioned, France hosted the Euro's in 1984, not only did they host it, they also owned it. Les Bleus dominated the tournament, scoring 14 goals in the 5 games played, including a commanding 2-0 win in the final against Spain. This shirt is our pick of the bunch from this particular showcase, the design was also repurposed for the 2020 European Championships. It did not bring them the same fortune as the then holders of the World Cup were dumped out in the last 16 after a thrilling 3-3 draw and an agonising penalty shootout against Switzerland.
Shop France Classics Now
11. Croatia 1996
We think Croatia always turn up for a major tournament looking fire, but this effort from 1996 is the pinnacle of the chequered template for us. The collar, the blue accents, the number print and the crest all collaborate to create a masterpiece.
10. Italy 1996
1996 was a stellar year for football shirts and this one from Nike belongs with the best of them. The gold trim on the shirt, name and number printing is perfectly accentuated by the band around the top of the shorts. Though the tournament itself was one to forget for the Azzurri, as they were knocked out of the group stages thanks to new tiebreak rules brought in specifically for this tournament. They ended level on points but with a higher goal difference than the Czech Republic, but the Italians lost the head to head 2-1, halting their progress to the knockouts.
9. USSR 1988
The Ipswich template looked good in every colourway but this version from the USSR can rival the famous Netherlands shirt. Bonus points for the CCCP logo across the midriff. The Soviet Union famously defeated England during this offering of the Euros in 1988, a comfortable 3-1 win at the old Waldstadion in Frankfurt.
8. Italy 2021
Not only did the Italians dominate the competition at Euro 2021 (Covid, sigh), they looked flawless whilst doing it. Everything about this jersey created by German powerhouse Puma oozes class. The renaissance print within the material is perfectly matched with the gold accents of the logos and name set. The Azzurri would go on to lift the trophy this year via an edgy penalty shoot out; 3-2 with 5 scored and 5 missed or saved, pure drama.
Shop Italy Here
7. Denmark 1992
In 1992, Denmark emerged victorious in the Euro championships, securing their place after Yugoslavia was unable to participate due to the country's dissolution and the subsequent conflicts. The final tournament featured the participation of eight national teams and still allowed back passes. Although they did win the competition against Germany, unfortunately they were were second best in the best dressed category, still, a sterling effort from Hummel and the Danes.
6. Romania 1996
Our favourite version of this iconic adidas template worn during the 1996 tournament. The style didn't lead to substance, even with legend & captain Gheorghe Hagi playing every minute. Romania were knocked out in the group stage recording only 1 goal in 3 games, the goal coming in a 2-1 loss to Spain.
5. Germany 1992
Germany shirts are always crisp and clean, but the adidas Equipment template took this to another level. The chunky collar with the nations flag on it's edge and the classic Deutschland flags to sleeves, peak German engineering. As mentioned previously, Klinsmann's side failed to win the final this year but they were certainly best dressed.
Shop Germany Shirts here
4. Netherlands 1988
Don't at us on the placement of this beloved classic. We love this shirt at Cult Kits, however we feel it is well placed in the list with only pure classics and beauties ahead of it. In our defence I don't think Ruud Gullit would have placed it as high as we have! The Ipswich template is so iconic and the Netherlands victory over the Soviet Union (fellow Ipswich template wearers) in the 1988 final only helped secure it's status in the hearts of the fans and kit enthusiasts around the world.
Shop All Netherlands Shirts Here
3. France 1996
EURO 96 was a special tournament, Zidane was a very special player, and this kit produced for France by adidas is a seriously special piece. The shoelace, the collar, the Tricolour pattern emblazoned throughout, the Les Bleus cockerel, and that block nameset... an absolute masterpiece. Zidane and his team made it to the semi finals before a 0-0 drawer and subsequent penalty shoot out loss to the Czech Republic.
2. England 1996
This tournament was the first one held on English soil, and Umbro understood the assignment and kitted out the England team in this stunning blue and white ensemble. The subtle light blue tones from the collar and name set really pop against the traditional white and navy completing a vintage classic. Worn by legends Paul Gascoigne, David Platt and Alan Shearer, who was top goal scorer during the tournament, came so close to reaching the final until current England manager Gareth Southgate missed the decisive spot kick.
1. West Germany 1988
This vector design created by adidas at the end of the 80s became an instant classic and will be forever synonymous with Germany and their success whilst wearing it. This stunning museum piece was worn by West Germany in the last major international tournament played in the summer before the Berlin wall came down and Germany was reunified. It was also worn in the 1988 European Championship 2 years before, though the side failed to make the final after a 2-1 loss to eventual champions, the Netherlands.
So that's our picks, after an incredibly difficult selection and culling process we are left with an outstanding top 15. All the major brands have released their kits for the upcoming 2024 tournament with adidas and Nike stealing all the headlines, fuelling the excitement that can only be felt during the carnival that Euro's and World Cup football can bring.