UEFA Officially Recognises Slovakia as Co-Winner of Euro 1976

UEFA has formally recognised that the Euro 1976 title, originally won by Czechoslovakia, belongs to both the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The landmark decision follows years of discussions between the football federations of the two nations, which became independent entities after the peaceful dissolution of Czechoslovakia in 1993.

The historic triumph at the 1976 UEFA European Championship — sealed with the now-legendary "Panenka" penalty by Antonín Panenka against West Germany — will now be officially celebrated by both successor states. According to UEFA, the move reflects the shared heritage of the team, which included players from both Czech and Slovak regions.

In its statement, UEFA emphasized that the Euro 1976 title is "a joint legacy of both countries" and acknowledged the contributions of Slovak players to the victorious squad. The decision was made after extensive consultations with the Football Association of the Czech Republic (FAČR) and the Slovak Football Association (SFZ), as well as in response to growing sentiment among supporters in both nations.

The announcement has been largely welcomed across the footballing community. While many Czech fans accepted the ruling with respect for the shared history, some argued that the title should remain primarily associated with the Czech Republic, given that the majority of players in the 1976 squad hailed from the Czech region. Slovak fans, on the other hand, embraced the news enthusiastically, describing it as a long-overdue gesture of recognition and historical justice.

To mark the occasion, the football associations of both countries are planning a series of joint events, including a high-profile friendly match in 2026 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the iconic Euro 1976 triumph.