The 1984 UEFA Women’s Championship, also known as the Euros, marked a significant milestone in the history of women’s football in Europe. Held in Sweden, the tournament represented the first edition of the European Championship specifically for women’s national teams.
The 1984 Euros featured just four teams: Sweden, England, Denmark, and Italy. Despite the small field, the tournament captured the imagination of football fans across Europe and served as a catalyst for the growth and development of women’s football on the continent.
England saw off Denmark in the two-legged semi-final, edging a 2-1 win at Gresty Road courtesy of goals from Kerry Davis and Liz Deighan. With a place in the final hanging in the balance, England secured an impressive victory in Hjorring, Debbie Bampton’s goal securing a 3-1 win overall and a berth in the final.
In the other semi-final, Sweden saw off Italy in two tightly-contested games, legendary striker Pia Sundhage finding the net three times across two legs.
The final was also a two-legged affair, with the first match taking place at Gothenburg’s Ullevi stadium. Sundhage again proved the difference, the 24-year-old scoring the game’s only goal. In the reverse leg at Luton Town’s Kenilworth Road, Linda Curl drew the Lionesses level in marshy conditions, taking the tournament favourites to a penalty shootout.
Curl and Lorraine Hanson could not convert from the spot, and though Sweden’s Helen Johansson missed her penalty, Sundhage beat Theresa Wiseman from twelve yards to clinch the European Championship.
Captain Carol Thomas, the Lionesses’ ever-reliable right-back, would collect a runner-up medal alongside her teammates. This remained the closest that any England Women player would get to major silverware until England’s success at the 2022 EUROs.
