With such results and additionally as the host they were commonly considered the main favourite of the tournament. The Italians had not played in the Euro 1984 tournament, while in the 1980 edition, which they hosted, they finished 4th; and they were the World Champions of the 1982 FIFA World Cup, however with a middling performance in the 1986 FIFA World Cup. Spain and Denmark contested the second semi-final of the 1984 edition, which Spain prevailed on penalty-kicks, but then lost the final to hosts, France (who failed to qualify in 1988). Both Spain and Danmark teams played in the 1986 FIFA World Cup, and again met there — in the Round of 16 match of the knockout stage, which Spain won 5–1.