With the UEFA Euro 2020 getting underway this weekend, mkdons.com has taken a look at those MK Dons players who have featured at past tournaments.
MK Dons will have two former players representing their national sides at this summer's tournament. Jonny Williams is with Wales for his second successive European Championship, while another ex-loanee in Jack Hendry is in Scotland's 26-man squad.
Looking back, however, Dele Alli became the first MK Dons Academy product to feature for England at a major international tournament when he played in all four of England's matches at Euro 2016. The midfielder shone but was unable to help the Three Lions progress past the Round of 16, as they were infamously knocked out by Iceland.
The star of Euro 2016, however, was Northern Ireland striker Will Grigg, whose terrace chant became the soundtrack of the tournament. Despite his quick rise to fame, Grigg didn't feature in any of Northern Ireland's games at the tournament, which was the same for former MK Dons defender Lee Hodson who was a member of the squad but didn't make an appearance.
Two MK Dons players who did feature at Euro 2016 were Welshman Jonny Williams, mentioned earlier, and Simon Church, who had both played for MK Dons that season. The pair contributed as Wales reach the semi finals, with Williams making four appearances and Church featuring twice - both players appeared in their semi-final defeat to Portugal.
A member of Wales' Euro 2016 squad that didn't make an appearance, however, was MK Dons Academy product George Williams, who became the Club's first homegrown player to be part of an international tournament.
Also involved in Euro 2016 was Irish defender Richard Keogh, who spent time with MK Dons during the 2020/21 season. Keogh played twice as Ireland reached the Round of 16, including an appearance in their memorable 1-0 group-stage win over Italy.
Sticking with the Republic of Ireland, former MK Dons captain Keith Andrews played in all three group matches for the Republic of Ireland at Euro 2012. The midfielder started the fixtures against Croatia, Spain and Italy but was sent off in the latter for two bookable offences. Ireland were knocked out at the group stage.
Another former MK Dons midfielder who has represented his country at a European Championships was Dietmar Hamann, who made 13 appearances for the Dons in 2010. Hamann was a member of the Germany squad for both Euro 2000 and Euro 2004 – he played in every match for the Germans, who didn’t qualify from the group stage on either occasion.
Ex-Dons striker Tore Andre Flo was also at Euro 2000 with Norway. The former Chelsea and Leeds man started all three games for the Norwegians who, despite beating Spain 1-0 in the opening match, exited the tournament at the end of the group fixtures.
As well as former players, two of ex-MK Dons managers boast European Championship appearances.
Paul Ince, who led the Club to the League Two title and the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy in 2007/08, made five appearances for England at Euro 1996, helping them reach the semi-finals. He also played all three group matches for the Three Lions at Euro 2000.
Roberto Di Matteo, meanwhile, featured twice for Italy during Euro 1996 but couldn’t help his country get into the knockout stages.
