MARCO VAN BASTEN (Holland v USSR, Euro 88 final)

The AC Milan striker had already put paid to England's chances with a devastating hat-trick and his finishing instincts helped him be in the right place at the right time to grab a late semi-final winner against the hosts West Germany.

His goal in the final though is the one that rightly sticks in the memory of football fans across the globe. Holland led 1-0 thanks to Ruud Gullit's first-half strike when former Ipswich and Manchester United star Arnold Muhren tried to pick out his team-mate with a high looping ball over the Soviet defence.

Everyone expected van Basten, wide on the right, to try and bring it under control but instead he met it full on the volley and from the tightest of angles the ball flew past a stunned Rinat Dasaev.

PAUL GASCOIGNE (England v Scotland, Euro 96 first-round group match)

Gazza had been hammered in the press for his part in the `Dentist's Chair' drinking antics on a pre-tournament tour of Hong Kong but responded in the best way possible with this goal.

England led the Auld Enemy 1-0 thanks to Alan Shearer's header but the Scots still looked dangerous when Gascoigne - then at Rangers - scampered into the left-hand side of the box and cheekily lifted the ball over Colin Hendry and before it had even bounced, fired a shot low past Andy Goram. In typical Gascoigne fashion, the celebrations - where water was sprayed into his mouth by his team-mates - were a mocking reminder of the night of debauchery in Hong Kong.

DAVOR SUKER (Croatia v Denmark, Euro 96 first-round group match)

Croatia embarrassed the reigning champions in their first-ever appearance in a major tournament and Suker's goal was the icing on the cake.

A penalty from Suker and one from Zvonimir Boban had put Croatia in control and so now it was time for a little show-boating from the gifted striker. In the 84th minute he almost lobbed Danish goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel from just past the halfway line but the Manchester United star just managed to scramble back and push it out.

Five minutes later Schmeichel raced upfield for a corner without reward and when Croatia launched a counter-attack he had to sprint back the other way.

He had just about got back to his six-yard line when the ball fell to Suker on the left and he chipped the ball delicately over the great Dane's head.

KAREL POBORSKY (Czech Republic v Portugal, Euro 96 quarter-final)

The diminutive, busy midfielder fired the unfancied Czechs all the way to the final of Euro 96 and this was his finest single contribution - a terrific run to the heart of the Portuguese defence and with Vitor Baia racing out to narrow the angle, Poborsky scooped his foot under the ball and lobbed it over the goalkeeper and into the net. Sir Alex Ferguson was impressed enough to sign him for Manchester United soon after the tournament.

MICHEL PLATINI (France v Portugal, Euro 84 semi-final)

A great goal to seal a great match. Platini was the dominant force in the French line-up and it was apt that he struck the winner here in the final minute of extra-time. The graceful Jean Tigana made a break to the right touchline and cut the ball back far enough to elude the Portuguese goalkeeper and straight into Platini's path, and he made no mistake.

TOMAS BROLIN (Sweden v England, Euro 92 first round group match)

England had wasted a number of glorious chances to put themselves in control against the hosts after David Platt's early goal but Jan Eriksson equalised and then Brolin, the star of the team, lit up the match with a wondrous goal. A series of one-touch give and gos took him to the edge of the box and he lifted an excellent shot past David Seaman.

ALAN SHEARER (England v Holland, Euro 96 first round group match)

The goal which had everyone believing England really were going to end 30 years of hurt as the Dutch were destroyed 4-1 at Wembley. Paul Gascoigne and Steve McManaman carved an opening on the left, the Rangers man nudged a pass inside to Teddy Sheringham who drew the Dutch defence before squaring the ball to his right where an unmarked Shearer drilled a shot past Edwin van der Sar and into the top corner.

FRANK DE BOER (Holland v France, Euro 2000 first round group match)

De Boer may be a centre-back but he can strike a ball better than a good number of forwards - as this goal more than adequately demonstrated. Edgar Davids was fouled by Patrick Vieira and, from 35 yards out, de Boer rifled in a shot which goalkeeper Bernard Lama could only help into the roof of the net.

ALLY McCOIST (Scotland v Switzerland, Euro 96 first round group match)

This goal was McCoist's first in a major international tournament but it was not quite enough to see his country past the group stage in the championships for the first time. The Rangers striker's forward run was spotted by Gary McAllister, who slid a pass through to him and from 25 yards McCoist blasted a shot past Marco Pascolo.

Scotland won the match 1-0 but a late goal from Patrick Kluivert for Holland in their 4-1 defeat to England meant they edged out the Scots for a quarter-final place. McCoist missed far more presentable chances than the one he took and just one of them would have been good enough, but instead it was another early exit for Craig Brown's men.

RONNIE WHELAN (Republic of Ireland v USSR, Euro 88 first round group match)

The Irish side under Jack Charlton were not known for their champagne football and had combined with England to produce one of the most turgid matches in the competition's history in their opening game. However, Liverpool midfielder Whelan gave the men in green something to cheer when he latched onto a long ball forward (what else?) from Mick McCarthy with a stunning volley which flew into the net.