The Totally Football Show with James Richardson Totally Extra: Euro 2000 - the best tournament ever?
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Nov 1, 2025 Football journalist Julien Laurens joins to share his on-the-ground experience from Euro 2000, deemed by many the best tournament ever. He dives into France's thrilling journey to victory, highlighting the impact of players like Zidane and Trezeguet. The podcast also covers iconic moments, like Spain's stunning 4-3 comeback against Yugoslavia, and the chaos of England and Germany crashing out early. The discussion of tactics and memorable goals paints a vivid picture of a tournament that still ignites nostalgia.
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Watching The Final From Corsica
- James Richardson walked the Camino de Santiago during much of the tournament and watched the final at a remote Corsican restaurant.
- He recounts seeing the final in Cirolata, reached only by trail or boat, adding personal colour to his Euro 2000 memories.
Sweet Spot Tournament Quality
- Euro 2000 hit a sweet spot of quality: 16 strong teams, great attacking play, and easy travel between hosts.
- The tournament produced the highest goals-per-game average (2.74) and many one-goal knockout matches, boosting unpredictability.
Balanced Groups Amplified Drama
- Group balance fuelled drama: every group felt competitive with major teams mixed together.
- That balance set up compelling knockout matchups and unpredictable progressions.
