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Dublin: 11 °C Wednesday 22 May, 2013

Euro 2012: the 17 iconic moments that defined an unforgettable tournament

From Pirlo’s panenka to Bendtner’s boxers, here are the moments that we’ll always associate with Euro 2012.

1. AFTER BEING SENT off in the opening game of the tournament, Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny has some final words of encouragement for Przemyslaw Tyton.

Szczesny celebrates in the tunnel (below) as his replacement saves a penalty, but little does he realise that Tyton will keep him out of the team for the rest of the tournament as a result.

Soccer Euro 2012 Poland Greece

Szczesny's reaction after penalty saved

(Matt Dunham/AP/Press Association Images)

2. In his final major tournament, Andriy Shevchenko cements his place as a Ukranian national hero by scoring a second-half brace against Sweden.

Soccer Euro 2012 Ukraine Sweden

(Martin Meissner/AP/Press Association Images)

3. Polish captain Jakub Blaszczykowski sends a nation into ecstasy after scoring one of the goals of the tournament against Russia.

Soccer Euro 2012 Poland Russia

(Matt Dunham/AP/Press Association Images)

4. Nicklas Bendtner celebrates his equaliser against Portgual by revealing a pair of Paddy Power-branded boxer shorts.

Soccer Euro 2012 Denmark Bendtner Underwear

(Michael Probst/AP/Press Association Images)

5. Mats Hummels enjoys Germany’s win as the Dutch players argue behind him.

Soccer Euro 2012 The Netherlands Germany

(Vadim Ghirda/AP/Press Association Images)

6. Silva > Ward + St Ledger + Dunne

Soccer Euro 2012 Best Goals

(Gero Breloer/AP/Press Association Images)

7. The rain in Ukraine falls mainly on the… Donbass Arena, Donetsk where France played the co-hosts.

Soccer - Euro 2012 - Ukraine v France

(Vadim Ghirda/AP/Press Association Images)

8. Zlatan Ibrahimovic enquires after Joe Hart’s well-being as Sweden take a 2-1 lead against England. England went on to win the game 3-2 and qualify from Group D; Sweden went home.

ibrahart

9. Giorgos Karagounis in total disbelief after his appeals for a penalty are waved away during Greece’s win against Russia.

Soccer Euro 2012 Greece Russia

(Matt Dunham/AP/Press Association Images)

10. France’s Philippe Mexes gets a close-up as Zlatan Ibrahimovic scores the goal of the tournament.

Soccer Euro 2012 Sweden France

(Sergei Grits/AP/Press Association Images)

11. Ukraine are denied a clear-cut goal against England after officials fail to spot the ball crossing the line.

Soccer - UEFA Euro 2012 - Group D - England v Ukraine - Donbass Arena

(Anthony Devlin/PA Wire/Press Association Images)

12. Italy’s Andrea Pirlo and the best penalty of the tournament.

Soccer Euro 2012 England Italy

(Matthias Schrader/AP/Press Association Images)

13. Spain’s Sergio Ramos and the second-best penalty of the tournament.

Soccer Euro 2012 Spain Portugal

(Ivan Sekretarev/AP/Press Association Images)

14. Cristiano Ronaldo — who never got a chance to take a penalty in the shootout — reacts to Portugal’s defeat against Spain with one word: “Injustica”

injust

15. The enigmatic Mario Balotelli strikes a pose after scoring his brilliant second in Italy’s semi-final win against Germany.

Soccer Euro 2012 Germany Italy

(Vadim Ghirda/AP/Press Association Images)

16. Italy’s Andrea Pirlo — one of the tournament’s outstanding players — is left with tears in his eyes after losing the final against Spain.

Soccer Euro 2012 Final Spain Italy

(Ivan Sekretarev/AP/Press Association Images)

17. Spain. Simply the best.

Soccer Euro 2012 Final Spain Italy

(Gregorio Borgia/AP/Press Association Images)

Have we missed your most iconic moment? Let us know in the comments below.

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