The Blues, in the wake of their success at the 2018 World Cup, arrive at the Euro with the label of contender for the final victory.

But is being world champion enough to guarantee a good performance in the following European Championship?

Europe 1 consulted the archives.

After being on top of the world, can the Blues become the kings of Europe?

The world champions, placed in "the group of death" with Germany and Portugal, will undoubtedly be one of the favorites for Euro 2020, which is played this summer after a one-year postponement due to the coronavirus.

But how did the European teams that won the World Cup come together in the European Championship that followed?

By consulting the archives, it is clear that they have often managed to go far, even to win the next Euro, like the France team of Zidane, Deschamps and co in 2000, or Spain in 2012.

England, 1966 world champion: third in Euro 1968

England has just won the World Cup at home in 1966. The Euro which follows, in 1968, is played with a long elimination phase, before a final phase which is played only with four teams.

The English, qualified, will however be eliminated by Yugoslavia (1-0) in the semi-finals.

However, they won third place by beating the USSR (2-0), at a time when the "small final" still existed. 

The FRG, 1974 world champion: Euro 1976 finalist 

In the mid-1970s, the FRG (West Germany) relied on an impressive team, notably with its "Kaiser", the libero Franz Beckenbauer.

World champion at home in 1974, she managed to qualify for the final tournament, which is still played by four teams.

After having hardly beaten Yugoslavia in the semi-finals (4-2 ap), the FRG is again pushed into overtime in the final by Czechoslovakia.

The penalty shootout will turn in favor of the Czechoslovakians (2-2 ap, 5-3 tab), with the victory penalty shot dead by Antonin… Panenka.

And yes, the famous Panenka was born during this final of Euro 1976! 

Italy, 1982 world champion: not qualified for Euro 1984

Italy are the only European world champion team that failed to qualify for the next Euro, after a disastrous knockout campaign concluded in fifth and penultimate place in their group. 

Germany, 1990 world champion: Euro 1992 finalist

Germany, just reunified, arrives at Euro 1992 with its title of world champion and the label of favorite.

In an eight-team format (two groups of four), the Germans qualified after a complicated first round and defeated Sweden in the semi-finals (3-2).

In the final, they were largely favored by the predictions against the surprise of the tournament, Denmark. 

The Danes, who were not qualified and were drafted thanks to the exclusion of Yugoslavia due to the war in the Balkans, will nevertheless create a huge achievement.

With a 2-0 victory in the final, Denmark won the Euro to everyone's surprise.

Without doubt the most incredible epic in the history of the European Championship, with the equally unexpected success of Greece in 2004. 

France, 1998 world champion: winner of Euro 2000

So yes, the Blues have been world champions twice, in 1998 and in 2018. But the most beautiful French team of all time, it is perhaps that of Euro 2000. Coached by Roger Lemerre, the Tricolores are at their peak, with stars in all lines, from Barthez to Thuram via Desailly, Deschamps, Djorkaeff, Zidane, Henry and Anelka. Impressive in the first round in a very difficult group (easy victory against Denmark and the Czech Republic then defeat with an bis team against the Netherlands), the Blues first with difficulty rule out Spain in the quarter-finals (2-1 ), with a penalty shot on the bar by Raul in the dying seconds. 

The semi-final is just as complicated against Portugal, with a golden goal from a penalty from Zidane, following a hand from Abel Xavier (2-1 ap).

And what about this legendary final against Italy (2-1 ap), with Sylvain Wiltord's equalizer at the last second of added time when the Italians were already starting to celebrate, then this insane golden goal from David? Trézéguet, with an exceptional half-volley from the left.

Simply historic. 

Italy, 2006 world champion: quarter-finalist of Euro 2008

You inevitably remember the sad July 9, 2006 and the defeat of the Blues against Italy in the final of the World Cup in Berlin.

Two years later, the two rivals find themselves in the first round of Euro 2008 (along with the Netherlands and Romania), with again an Italian victory (2-0), which eliminates the French team. from the first round.

In the quarter-finals, the Italian world champions will only lose on penalties against the future winner, Spain (0-0, 4 tab to 2). 

Spain, 2010 world champion: winner of Euro 2012

It is the climax of one of the greatest teams in the history of football. European champion in 2008 then world champion in 2010, Spain is once again the big favorite of Euro 2012. Under the impetus of its coach Vicente Del Bosque and his stars, in particular the great Barça version Guardiola and of Real (Casillas, Piqué, Ramos, Xavi, Iniesta, David Silva…) it will only leave crumbs for the competition. After a controlled first round (including a 4-0 victory against Ireland), La Roja easily eliminated Laurent Blanc's Blues in the quarter-finals (2-0). The semi-final is much more complicated, with a success on penalties against Portugal (0-0 ap, 4-2 tab). 

The final, against Italy, will be a formality and a show of force: a 4-0 victory, and a third international competition won in a row.

All without establishing a center forward, with the attacking midfielder Cesc Fabregas aligned in false 9 during the tournament ... 

Germany, 2014 world champion: Euro 2016 semi-finalist 

After a smooth first round, the German world champions easily beat Slovakia in the round of 16 (3-0).

However, they must fight to eliminate Italy in the quarter-finals, on penalties (1-1 ap, 6-5 tab).

Germany must then face the France team, at home, at the Stade Vélodrome, two years after beating the Blues in the quarter-finals of the 2014 World Cup. But that night, everything smiles on Didier Deschamps' men. 

Despite a clear domination and many opportunities, Germany lost 2-0 on a double from Griezmann, in a melting Marseille enclosure. A real hold-up and a lesson to think about: in the end, it's not always the best team that wins, nor necessarily the Germans ...