The 5 best away kits at Euro 2020

By Andrew Thompson


Published: June 10, 2021 8:20 am

Last Updated: June 10, 2021 8:26 am

Which are the 5 best away kits at Euro 2020?

Yesterday we revealed our top 5 home kits at Euro 2020.

Today, it’s time for us to focus on the away strips.

Who will look the smartest while trying to win Europe’s top footballing honor for their nation?

Here are our 5 best away kits at Euro 2020.

5) Poland

I love a bit of history, which probably has a lot to do with the reason why I hold an advanced degree in it.

That sense of fascination and “nerddum” absolutely carries over into football for me, which is why Poland has made the list of the five best away kits for Euro 2020 this summer.

In an ode to their rich yet often not spoken enough about history in football, their simple yet elegant away kit is a throwback to yesteryear with one simple change; the moving of the Polish eagle to the center of the chest.

From a period spanning from the 1970s-1980s, Poland was in the midst of its own golden generation, featuring greats like Zbigniew Boniek, Grzegorz Lato, and Kazimierz Deyna. Dynamo Moscow and Polish international playmaker Sebastian Szymański commented “It makes you think of those great teams and players from the past and that will definitely inspire us,” while Nike VP of Consumer and Market Research reflected: “When you look back through Polish football history, there is a lot of inspiration to be found. Moving the eagle to the center is a way to tap into that rich heritage.”

Nike has done a lovely job bringing those memories back to life.

4) Germany

Toni Kroos in the new Germany away kit pic.twitter.com/8XcASgGcrC

— TK (@TK8Pic) March 23, 2021

Described by Adidas to be “stealth” given the black base with the iconic three stripes coming in dark grey on the shoulders, this could be an incredibly apt kit for a German outfit under Joachim Löw (his last tournament in charge) that are uncharacteristically not being talked about as they commonly are.

It has been a difficult period for Germany post-Euro 2016, where despite a semi-finals appearance, did not offer up the dominant football that was befitting their status as perennial – and historical – giants in Europe. An awful World Cup 2018 compounded the notion that Die Mannschaft should move on from Löw, and as the iconic manager will be taking his post for the final time, the last hurrah could still be on the cards.

Joshua Kimmich with this amazing black kit with tucked shirt bossing Germany’s midfield might be one of the most exciting things I’ve ever seen pic.twitter.com/R1PJoxpzQ2

— davi (@kimmichism6) March 25, 2021

Sleek looking but still honoring the colors of Germany with black, red, and yellow trim on the sleeves, a “stealth” kit worn by a Germany that has flown under the radar (while France, Belgium, England, Portugal, Spain, Italy, and Denmark are all ranked higher by FIFA) could be an ironic aesthetic change.

3) Croatia

Croatia away kit 2020 euro pic.twitter.com/yrwxu2cjMF

— Spit it out (@EppyFizul) September 11, 2020

Croatian football has not been on the European or world stage long, but they announced their arrival with a bang.

In their incredibly unique kits featuring the red and white checkerboard pattern of the national crest, Croatia reached the quarter-finals of their first Euro appearance as an independent nation in 1996, while smashing their way to a third-place finish in their memorable summer at World Cup ’98.

Twenty years later, another unexpected and heart-catching showing at Russia 2018 saw them make the World Cup finals on the back of spirited performances from the likes of Luka Modrić, Ivan Rakitić, and Ivan Perišić.

How do you best celebrate Croatia’s unique aesthetic appearance on a football pitch? By changing as little as possible.

Keeping the checkerboard spirit alive, their Euro 2020 away kit – like Germany – has gone black and grey/silver yet keeping their national identity at the fore, while red trim keeps even further hints of the traditional colors on the kit. It’s just a damn nice kit.

2) Switzerland

Switzerland Away Kit (Group A). Euro 2020 starts on June 11th. Discover the jerseys with https://t.co/g6E7zNZYUy. @EURO2020 #EURO2020 #Switzerland pic.twitter.com/Dk28rIcFB1

— FootShirt.com (@footshirt) May 21, 2021

Switzerland is known for many things around the world. Their famous army knife, Rolex watches, Lindt chocolates, fondue, the Red Cross, and many other notable products of the land-locked nation.

But its most defining characteristic, at least from an aesthetic standpoint, is the Swiss Alps.

Very much an alpine nation, its mountain passes, and strategically located towns and urban centers have played a key role throughout European history. Its famous pikeman became the preferred mercenary regiments of choice for many empires on the continent, and their way of war was owed to the topography of the nation.

From a footballing standpoint, Switzerland has been around for a very long time… quietly… much like the nation itself.

The Swiss featured at the World Cup for the first time way back in 1934, just one short of being involved from the very beginning in 1930. Though their presence at the Euro did not begin until 1996, the sport has been popular in the Alpine country for a century if not longer; they won a silver medal at the 1924 Paris Olympics, losing to Uruguay in the gold medal game.

Today’s choice: Switzerland 2020 Away

Alongside the Italy I got the other day, I’m building a “Lost Shirts of Euro 2020” collection it seems. pic.twitter.com/xy7FUkRvXq

— Jake – Kit Nerd (@KitNerdUK) June 2, 2021

Though their history is rich in length, it has not been as much in breadth. As they look to leave a greater impact on the beautiful game, their away kit for Euro 2020 celebrates their most attributable feature, the dominant Alps that.

The four colors that make up the design pay homage to the four languages spoken in the country, and that celebrated diversity remains amongst the players that represent the nation for both club and country.

Number one: Italy

Italy unveil their new away kit pic.twitter.com/3r2sCCuZva

— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 11, 2019

Much like France, no other nation has helped shape the political and cultural landscape in Europe more so than Italy. From the Roman empire conquering much of the known ancient world, to Marco Polo helping reconnect east and west, and the Medici family being the patrons of discovery and expression, Italy has been at the forefront for thousands of years.

Their contributions in football have been equally as important. Winner of four World Cups (1934, 1938, 1982, 2006) and one European Championship (1968), like the Rennaisance that began in cities and regions within its present-day borders, Italian artistry in movement, poetry on the ball, and expressionism with every pass and goal scored, have graced the game in every decade since global and continental competition began.

Francesco Totti, Alessandro Del Piero, Paolo Maldini, Luigi Riva, Giuseppe Meazza, Silvio Piola, Roberto Baggio, and countless others have continuously rebirthed the Azzurri’s footballing options with each new generation.

Puma has done a superb job at showing the influence Italy has had on football, and on the world, with this design.

The pattern is a modern take on renaissance art, so famous for coming out of the minds that came together in Florence, Bologna, Parma, and Pisa. Italy’s place will forever be secure in football lore, regardless of what they achieve this summer or summers to come, but this kit is utterly beautiful, as have been their immeasurable contributions.

This article was edited by
Benjamin Newman.