1960, France

Winner: USSR | Runner-up: Yugoslavia

It took more than 30 years for Henri Delaunay's idea to become reality and when the inaugural Nations Cup was launched in 1958 it received a cautious welcome, with only 17 countries entering. West Germany, Italy and England were among the absentees.

It was a straightforward knockout tournament with home and away legs, and only the last four advancing to a "tournament" in France. The Soviet Union, who were awarded a bye into the last four after Spain refused to play them on political grounds, beat Czechoslovakia 3-0 while in the other semi-final Yugoslavia came from 2-4 down in the second half to beat France 5-4. The final, watched by only 26,370 in the Parc des Princes, saw the Soviets beat Yugoslavia 2-1 after extra-time with Viktor Ponedelnik scoring the winner in the 113th minute.

Top goal scorers:

Ivanov (Russia) -- 2
Jerkovic (Yugoslavia) -- 2

Also see:

• 1964, Spain
  
• 1968, Italy
  
• 1972, Belgium
  
• 1976, Yugoslavia
  
• 1980, Italy
  
• 1984, France
  
• 1988, West Germany
  
• 1992, Sweden
  
• 1996, England
  
• 2000, Belgium and Holland