5 greatest teams that never won the European Championship

Not every great football team wins trophies, and not every team that wins a trophy can be considered great.

Sports Brief examines five of the best teams that never won the European Championship.

The Netherlands' 1970s side is remembered with a lingering sense of what might have been. Between 1970 and 1973, Dutch clubs won the European Cup four consecutive times, and the national team featured many Feyenoord and Ajax alumni from this golden era.

Despite reaching the World Cup final in 1974 and entering the 1976 European Championship as favorites, the Dutch, led by Johan Cruyff, lost to eventual winners Czechoslovakia in the semi-final after extra time.

They won the third-place play-off but missed another chance for maiden silverware. This Euro 1976 campaign was sandwiched between two World Cup final defeats.

Denmark's unexpected 1992 triumph is one of the most iconic Euro stories, made possible only by Yugoslavia's expulsion due to civil war.

Yugoslavia's team, denied a chance at the European Championship, had a core of players from Red Star Belgrade's 1991 European Cup-winning side.

Talents like Zvonimir Boban, Dejan Savićević, Predrag Mijatović, Davor Suker, Dragan Stojkovic, and Alen Bokšić found success with top European clubs, while Darko Pančev won the 1991 European Golden Shoe and Siniša Mihajlović became known for his free-kick prowess.

This golden generation regularly featured in Ballon d'Or votes, but their country's collapse prevented a true shot at success.

The Netherlands makes a second appearance on this list. Their shock exit to Russia at Euro 2008 was a missed opportunity, but Euro 2000 will always rankle.

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As co-hosts, the Dutch topped their group and demolished Yugoslavia 6-1 in the quarter-finals, with Patrick Kluivert scoring a hat-trick.

In the semi-finals, they faced Italy and, despite Gianluca Zambrotta's red card, couldn't break down the Azzurri, missing two penalties in regular time.

In the ensuing shootout, Francesco Toldo's heroics sent Italy to the final. For the Dutch, it was the fourth time in five major tournaments that penalties had been their undoing.

England is often considered international football’s greatest underachiever. Despite having one of the strongest domestic leagues, they've won just one major tournament. Euro 2004 was seen as a prime opportunity to end that drought.

Under Sven-Goran Eriksson, England's 'Golden Generation' featured top talents like Ashley Cole, Sol Campbell, John Terry, Michael Owen, David Beckham, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, and the young sensation Wayne Rooney.

After an opening loss to France, England bounced back to beat Switzerland and Croatia, with Rooney starring.

However, Rooney's injury in the quarter-final against Portugal proved disastrous, as England lost on penalties. Eight players from that starting XI would go on to win the Champions League in their careers.

The Portugal team that knocked out England in Euro 2004 should have gone on to win the tournament.

As hosts, and managed by Luiz Felipe Scolari, who had led Brazil to World Cup success in 2002, Portugal were well-placed to secure their first major title. Six squad members had won the Champions League with FC Porto in 2004, and Rui Costa added flair alongside Luis Figo and Cristiano Ronaldo.

After a setback against Greece in their opener, Portugal reached the knockout rounds, beat England on penalties, and overcame the Netherlands in the semi-final.

However, in the final, Greece stunned them again, winning 1-0 with a goal from Angelos Charisteas. Portugal's golden opportunity slipped away at the Estádio da Luz.