The Gardeners' World Blog

Arguably the best European Championship finals of all time were won by a Michel Platini-inspired host nation, France, in 1984. It's unthinkable now, but British television only showed two games live during the whole tournament: the final and a group game between West Germany and Spain.

This happened even though the BBC and ITV had the rights to show as much as they wanted to of the tournament. That incredible semi-final between France and Portugal - 3-2 after extra-time with John Motson's finest ever commentary on Platini's late winner - was only transmitted as late-night highlights.