Having won the 1974 FIFA World Cup, West Germany were expected to clinch a second successive UEFA European Championship, even if a spectacular Netherlands side starring Johan Cruyff were determined to end their rivals' dominance. The Oranje fell short in the semi-finals, putting the holders – boasting numerous stars from all-conquering FC Bayern München – on the verge of a successful defence. However, in an unprecedented penalty shoot-out, underdogs Czechoslovakia emerged triumphant thanks to the audacious Antonín Panenka.

Teams
Winners: Czechoslovakia
Runners-up: West Germany
Third: Netherlands
Fourth: Yugoslavia

Top scorer: Dieter Müller (West Germany) – 4

Did you know?
West Germany's Franz Beckenbauer won his 100th international cap in the final.

Also in 1976
European Champion Clubs' Cup winners: FC Bayern München (1-0 v AS Saint-Étienne)

European Footballer of the Year: Franz Beckenbauer (FC Bayern München)

Eurovision Song Contest winner: Brotherhood of Man (United Kingdom) singing Save Your Kisses for Me

European Golden Boot winner: Sotiris Kaiafas (AC Omonia)

Nobel Peace Prize winner: Betty Williams and Mairead Corrigan (founders of the Northern Ireland Peace Movement, United Kingdom)

Men's Olympic 100m champion: Hasely Crawford (Trinidad & Tobago) running 10.06 seconds

Formula 1 world champion: James Hunt (United Kingdom) driving a McLaren

Oscar for Best Picture: Rocky

Key events
21 January – First commercial Concorde flight

26 June – The CN Tower is built in Toronto: the tallest free-standing structure open to the public.

25 September – Irish band U2 are formed after drummer Larry Mullen Jr posts an advert seeking members on the notice board of his Dublin school.