1992 - European Championships - Qualifying

QUALIFICATION

For the qualification stage, there were thirty-three teams were put into seven groups, five of five teams, and two of four teams.

Group 1 saw the 1984 Finalists, France and Spain in the same group.  They were joined by 1976 winners, Czechoslovakia, Iceland and Albania.  After winning the 1984 tournament, France had failed to even qualify for 1988, neither had they made the 1990 World Cup in Italy.  Iceland and Albania were expected to be the whipping boys, so the group winner was going to come from France, Spain or the Czechs.   Each country had Iceland as their first opponents.  They all won and each by just one goal.  Then France met the Czechs in Paris.  Two goals from Papin gave the home side a 2-1 win.  But the Czechs bounced back when Spain visited Prague.  Danek put the Czechs in front but Roberto and Munoz turned things in Spain’s favour.  But Czechoslovakia came back and a 2^nd Danek goal as well as one from Moravcik gave the Czechs an important 3-2 win.  France then beat Albania by just one goal, but Spain were more clinical.  They hit Albania, 9-0 with Butragueno scoring four.  Two months later, France beat Spain, 3-1 in Paris and now Spain were really up against it to try and win the group.  It seemed apparent that the game between Czechoslovakia and France would decide the outcome of the group, and they met in Bratislava in September 1991  Nemecek put the home side in front in the first half, but then two more goals from Papin, including one in the last minute, won the game for France.  France had virtually qualified for the finals.  Iceland then pulled off a surprise beating Spain, 2-0 in Reykjavik, but Spain were already out of contention.  This was emphasised when they were then beaten at home, 1-2 by France as Papin scored again, his 9^th so far.  Then in November 1991, Spain then beat the Czechs, 2-1 in Seville.  When France then beat Iceland, 3-1 in Paris, they won the group and the matches ended as the final game between Albania and Spain was cancelled due to social unrest.   France had won the group by 6pts, winning all their eight matches.

Scotland were drawn in Group 2, in a group where none of the countries had qualified for the ’88 tournament.  They were up against Bulgaria, Romania, San Marino and Switzerland.  They got off to a great start when goals from Robertson and McCoist saw them come from behind to beat Romania, 2-1 at Hampden Park.  Romania then compounded their problems by losing at home to Bulgaria as well.  Scotland then continued their impressive form with another 2-1 win at Hampden when Switzerland were the visitors.  They then travelled to Sofia and another Ally McCoist goal earned them a 1-1 draw.  Both Switzerland and Romania thumped San Marino, and then Bulgaria visited Hampden Park in March 1991.  John Collins thought he won it with a goal in the 83^rd minute but Emil Kostadinov grabbed a late equaliser and the points were shared.  A month later Switzerland missed the opportunity to go top when they were held at home by Romania.  Goals from Strachan and Durie gave Scotland a win in San Marino, but they hadn’t done much to help their goal difference.  Switzerland came from 0-2 down to win 3-2 in Bulgaria, and they and Scotland had moved clear at the top.  In June, Switzerland beat San Marino, 7-0, and moved ahead of Scotland, although they’d played a game more.  Scotland travelled to Berne to meet Switzerland in September 1991, and 2 goals in 8 minutes at the end of the first half gave Switzerland a 2-0 half-time lead.  Gordon Durie got a goal back soon after the break and then Ally McCoist rescued a point for Scotland 7 minutes from time.  Scotland were 1pt behind the Swiss with a game in hand, plus they still had to play San Marino at home.

In October, a Gheorghe Hagi penalty looked to have ruined Scotland’s chances as Romania beat them 1-0 in Bucharest.  November was going to decide Scotland’s fate.  They were at home to San Marino, whilst Switzerland were in Romania.  Scotland won 4-0, but they were more interested in goings on in Bucharest.  Dorin Mateut scored the only goal of the game and Romania had beaten Switzerland, 1-0 and bang went Switzerland’s chances.  Scotland were almost there, but still had the matter of the final game in the group, Bulgaria v Romania.  Adrian Popescu gave the Romanians a first half lead, and if they could win by 2 goals, they would win the group.  Sirakov equalised in the second half and the game ended, 1-1.  Scotland had won the group and qualified for the finals.

Group 3 contained two of the Semi-Finalists from 1988, Italy and USSR, as well as Norway, Hungary and Cyprus.  Italy had also reached the Semi-Finals in their home World Cup in 1990, a tournament USSR didn’t make it to.  USSR, beaten finalists in 1988, started with a 2-0 win over Norway, who themselves then drew 0-0 with Hungary.  Hungary then held Italy to a 1-1 draw in Budapest.  Italy, who failed to qualify for the 1984 finals, were then held at home by USSR and the Soviets held an important advantage.  Norway, Italy and Hungary all then won in Cyprus, and then USSR continued their unbeaten form as an Alexei Mikhailichenko goal gave them the points in Hungary.  Italy then won at home against Hungary before they travelled to Oslo in June 1991.  They were 0-2 down inside 25 minutes and could only muster a consolation goal from Schillaci in a 1-2 defeat.  That defeat was made even worse by USSR turning up in Olso a few months later and winning 1-0.  The Soviets were then held at home by Hungary and Italy had hope but then they travelled to Moscow in October and could only draw 0-0. 

Italy then needed to win their final two matches and hope USSR would lose in Cyprus, but it all fell apart at the first hurdle.  They were held 1-1 in Genoa by Norway and had qualified.  Both countries won their final group games and USSR had won the group by 3pts.  Italy had again missed out on a European Championships.

Group 4 became notorious for what happened later.  Yugoslavia were expected to qualify after they’d reached the Quarter-Finals of Italia ’90.  Austria also made that tournament but didn’t get past the group stage.  Denmark had qualified for the Euro ’88, but lost all their matches.  Northern Ireland were also in the group along with the Faroe Islands who were competing in the qualifying stages for the first time.  The opening match saw one of the big shocks in European football.  Faroe Islands beat Austria, 1-0.  Yugoslavia then won 2-0 in Belfast, before Denmark beat the Faroes.  Denmark then arrived in Belfast and were a goal up before Colin Clarke grabbed a point for the Irish.  Yugoslavia then beat Austria before the big two in the group, Yugoslavia and Denmark, met in Copenhagen.   Bazdarevic and Jarni won it for Yugoslavia with goals in the last 15 minutes.  Yugoslavia now held the upper hand.  The Irish then gained a creditable draw in Austria before being soundly thrashed in Belgrade after a hat-trick by Darko Pancev.  The Irish then were humbled when the Faroes gained a draw in Belfast.  The next big game was when Denmark were in Belgrade, and they won 2-1.  Things were now even between the big two.  Both beat the Faroes, as did Northern Ireland, 5-0 as Colin Clarke scored a hat-trick.  Denmark then won away in Faroes and Austria, without conceding a goal, and had one match left at home to the Irish.  Yugoslavia had two games left, both away and it was the game in Austria that gave Denmark any chance of overhauling them.  Yugoslavia swept aside Faroes before Denmark won at home to the Irish.  It was down to the final game of the group, Austria v Yugoslavia.  If Austria won, Denmark would win the group, but the Yugoslavs just needed a point.  Lukic put Yugoslavia in front and then Dejan Savicevic doubled the lead and Yugoslavia had won the game and the group.  As they and Denmark beat each other, it was Denmark’s failure to beat Northern Ireland in Belfast which cost them their place.

However, things were to take a turn for the unexpected.  You’ll have to wait for Part Two on the final stages, to find out what

Group 5 had 1988 hosts, Germany in with Wales, Belgium and Luxembourg.  Since the 1988 tournament, Germany had been re-unified and were one country for the first time ever in the Euros.  Belgium, runners-up to West Germany in 1980, missed the 1988 tournament but reached the knock-out stage of the 1990 World Cup, losing to England.  They travelled to Cardiff at the old Cardiff Arms Park and took the lead midway through the first half.  But Ian Rush then equalised soon after.  Four minutes to go and the game seemed to heading for a draw, then Dean Saunders and Mark Hughes scored within two minutes of each other and Wales won an important first game.  Germany were then in Luxembourg and were 3-0 up early in the second half.  But then the home side scored twice and the Germans had a rather nervous last 25 minutes to avoid an embarrassment.  They ended up winning 3-2, but had, had a shock.  Wales then arrived in Luxembourg and also only won by 1 goal as Ian Rush scored the only goal of the game.  Belgium then beat Luxembourg, 3-0 and if goal difference was going to come into effect that could be important.  Wales then travelled to Belgium and again took points off them in a 1-1 draw.  When a Lothar Matthaus goal beat Belgium, it soon became apparent that the qualification spot would be between Germany and Wales.  In June 1991 the two countries met in Cardiff.  Ian Rush scored in the 66^th minute and Wales hung on for one of their most famous victories in their history.  The following October, the two met again and the Germans were up for revenge.  Andreas Moller, Rudi Voller and Karl-Heinz Riedle put them 3-0 up by half-time, then Thomas Doll made it 4-0 before Paul Bodin converted a late penalty.  Germany now had the advantage and if they could beat Belgium away, they would be through.  Paul Bodin again was on hand from the spot for the Welsh at home to Luxembourg before the crunch meeting between Belgium and Germany in Anderlecht.  Rudi Voller scored after 16 minutes and that was enough for the Germans to confirm victory.  They then had to negotiate Luxembourg in Leverkusen and a 4-0 win emphasised their class.  Germany won the group by 1pt and had been pushed hard by the Welsh but in the end their experience of qualifying for major tournaments proved the key.

Group 6 contained the holders of the trophy, Netherlands and they were pitted against Portugal, Greece, Malta and Finland.  Finland caused a bit of a shock by holding the Portuguese to a 0-0 draw in the opening game.  The Dutch then travelled to Porto and their first qualification game as holders ended in a 0-1 defeat.  A month later they registered a win as Dennis Bergkamp and Marco van Basten scored the goals which beat Greece.  Then the Dutch moved on to Malta and van Basten hit five as they won 8-0.  Portugal then lost in Athens and had lost the advantage they had earned over the Dutch.  Portugal then won home and away against Malta, before Netherlands had two home wins over Malta and Finland.  In June 1991, Erik Holmgren scored only the 2^nd goal Netherlands had conceded in this group as he equalised Frank de Boer’s opener.  Finland held the Dutch to a 1-1 draw and Portugal were now back in it.  The Portuguese themselves beat Finland before they met the Dutch in Rotterdam.  Robert Witschge scored, what turned out to be, the only goal of the game and the Dutch looked to have won the group.  They had to win their final game in Greece and goals from Bergkamp and Danny Blind meant they did just that.  Netherlands had qualified for the finals, as Portugal finished 2pts behind them.  The Dutch had Marco van Basten’s eight goals to thank for this.

Group 7 contained England who were under new management.  Graham Taylor had taken over from Bobby Robson, after the FA failed to offer him a new contract despite taking England to a penalty kick away from a World Cup Final.  They were up against Republic of Ireland, Turkey and Poland.  The Irish had beaten England in the finals in Germany 1988, and had also met them in the group stages of Italia ’90.  Poland were also familiar opponents, after England beat them in Mexico ’86.

The Irish started with a thumping 5-0 win at home to Turkey, as John Aldridge scored a hat-trick.  On the same night England beat Poland, 2-0 with goals from Gary Lineker and Peter Beardsley.  The following month Ireland and England met in Dublin.  David Platt put England in front, only to see Tony Cascarino equalised 10 minutes from time.  The game ended 1-1, and so the crucial match could well be the return at Wembley.  Poland then won in Turkey, before England and Ireland met again at Wembley in March 1991.  Lee Dixon scored his one and only goal for England inside the first 10 minutes but Niall Quinn equalised mid-way through the half.  Another 1-1 draw and so goal difference could prove crucial.  Poland then won again against Turkey, before grabbing a 0-0 draw in Dublin.  The Irish had dropped a point and would that let England in?  England then travelled to Turkey and Dennis Wise scored the only goal of the game.  In October 1991 England beat Turkey, 1-0 with Arsenal’s Alan Smith scoring the only goal.  On the same night, Ireland were 3-1 up in Poznan, before Poland came back to secure a 3-3 draw.  Now all England needed was a draw in Poznan in November 1991.  That night Ireland beat Turkey, 3-1 and England were trailing 0-1 with less than 15 minutes to go, but up popped Gary Lineker to score the all-important equaliser and England had won the group by 1pt.

So the qualifiers to join hosts Sweden were, France, Scotland, USSR, Yugoslavia, Germany, Netherlands, England.

But much was to change before the Finals took place.  Details of which will appear in the Part Two of this.

1988 - European Championships

The eighth European Championships were held in West Germany.  This was the second time the country had held a major international tournament after hosting the 1974 World Cup.  They won that tournament and hopes were high of a repeat performance this time round.

After the successful addition of a Semi-Final stage four years previously, UEFA decided not to tinker with the format.  The eight qualifiers were drawn into the following groups;

GROUP A: West Germany, Italy, Denmark, Spain

GROUP B: England, Republic of Ireland, Netherlands, USSR

England, Italy and Netherlands all missed the 1984 tournament and were desperate to make an impression this time.  Republic of Ireland were in a major tournament for the first time.

The tournament will be remembered for the Dutch finally succeeded in a major international competition.  Runners-up in the World Cups of 1974 and 1978, they went one better this time.  The hosts expected to win, but fell at the Semis and USSR were the surprise of the tournament.

 

GROUP A

10 June 1988, Rheindstadion, Dusseldorf, 62,552

WEST GERMANY   (0)   1   (Brehme 55)

ITALY   (0)   1   (Mancini 52)

West Germany: Immel; Buchwald, Kohler, Herget, Brehme (Eckstein); Littbarski, Matthaus, Thon, Berthold; Voller (Borowka), Klinsmann

Italy: Zenga; Ferri, F Baresi, Bergomi, Maldini; De Napoli (Altobelli), Ancelotti, Giannini, Donadoni; Mancini, Vialli (De Agostini)

The opening game in Dusseldorf was a potential classic, a repeat of the 1982 World Cup Final.  It was no classic but a hard-fought game.  No goals in the first 45 minutes but soon after the re-start, an error in the German defence saw Donadoni set Roberto Mancini free on the right and his low shot put Italy in front.  It was Mancini’s first international goal.  But the lead lasted for just three minutes when Zenga, the Italian keeper, was penalised for taking too many steps whilst holding the ball.  The free-kick was passed to Andreas Brehme and his deflected goal levelled things up for the home side.  The Italians seemed to settle for a draw and so the two shared the spoils.

11 June 1988, Niedersachsenstadion, Hanover, 55,707

DENMARK   (1)   2   (Laudrup 24, Poulsen 82)

SPAIN   (1)   3   (Michel 5, Butragueno 52, Gordillo 67)

Denmark: Rasmussen; Sivabaek, Busk, M Olsen (L Olsen), Nielsen; Heintze, Helt (Jensen), Lerby; Laudrup, Poulsen, Elkjaer

Spain: Zubizarreta; Renones, Munoz, Andrinua, Camacho; Sanchis, Gallego, Bakero, Gordillo; Butragueno, Michel

This was a repeat of the 1984 Semi-Final when Spain won after a shootout.  Spain had also thrashed the Danes, 5-1 in the Second Round of the 1986 World Cup.  They took an early lead this time round when Michel put them in front after just five minutes.  Michael Laudrup equalised twenty minutes later with a fine goal.  Michel then missed an opportunity to put Spain back in front when he missed a penalty.  They weren’t deterred as Butragueno made no mistake soon after, although there was a hint of offside.  On sixty seven minutes, Gordillo curled a free-kick into the net and Spain were now 3-1 up.  Flemming Povlsen then got a consolation, but it was purely that and Spain had got off to a great start.

14^th June 1988, Parkstadion, Gelsenkirchen, 64,812

WEST GERMANY   (1)   2   (Klinsmann 10, Thon 85)

DENMARK   (0)   0

West Germany: Immel; Buchwald (Borowka), Kohler, Herget, Brehme; Litbarski, Matthaus, Thon, Rolff; Voller (Mill), Klinsmann

Denmark: Schmeichel; Sivebaek, M Olsen, L Olsen, Nielsen; Vilfort (Berggreen), Heintze, Lerby; Laudrup (Eriksen), Elkjaer, Poulsen  

Four days after their first game, the hosts travelled to Gelsenkirchen to meet Denmark.  The Danes needed to bounce back after their opening defeat, but things started badly when Jurgen Klinnsmann put the home side in front in the opening ten minutes.  Although the Germans were well in control, Denmark were technically still in the game with five minutes to go, but Olaf Thon headed in Littbarski’s corner and West Germany were up and running with their first win of the tournament. For Denmark it was the bus home.

14 June 1988, Waldstadion, Frankfurt, 47,506

ITALY   (0)   1   (Vialli 73)

SPAIN   (0)   0

Italy: Zenga; Ferri, F Baresi, Bergomi, Maldini; De Napoli, Ancelotti, Giannini, Donadoni; Mancini (Altobelli), Vialli (De Agostini)

Spain: Zubizarreta; Renones, Andrinua, Munoz, Sanchis; Bakero, Gallego (Vazquez), Soler, Gordillo; Butragueno, Michel (Bergiristain)

In Frankfurt, Italy and Spain fought a tight battle with neither side prepared to give an inch.  These two sides met in the 1986 Under-21 European Championships and Spain won on penalties.  Seventeen players who were on show that day, were in opposition again.  The game was decided by a goal in the 73^rd minute from Gianluca Vialli.  Italy now joined West Germany as the only unbeaten sides in the group.  Spain would need to beat the Germans in their final game to go through.

17 June 1988, Olympiastadion, Munich, 63,802

WEST GERMANY   (1)   2   (Voller 29, 51)

SPAIN   (0)   0

West Germany: Immel; Brehme, Kohler, Herget, Borowka; Littbarski (Wuttke), Matthaus, Thon, Rolff; Voller, Klinsmann (Mill)

Spain: Zubizarreta; Renones, Andrinua, Munoz, Camacho; Sanchis, Bakero, Gordillo, Vazquez; Butragueno (Salinas), Michel

In Munich, West Germany put together their best performance of the tournament so far.  Rudi Voller scored both goals in this win.  They didn’t find out they’d won the group until the final whistle, but then they only had themselves to blame after their ‘arrangement’ with Austria in 1982.

17 June 1988, Mungersdorfer Stadion, Cologne, 53,951

ITALY   (0)   2   (Altobelli 67, De Agostini 87)

DENMARK   (0)   0

Italy: Zenga; Ferri, F Baresi, Bergomi, Maldini; De Napoli, Ancelotti, Giannini, Donadoni (De Agostini); Mancini (Altobelli), Vialli

Denmark: Schmeichel; Heintze, M Olsen (Bergreen), L Olsen, Nielsen; Frimann (Vilfort), Jensen, Kristensen; Laudrup, Poulsen, Eriksen

Italy compounded Denmark’s misery in Cologne when they brushed them aside with goals from Altobelli and De Agostini.  With the Germans winning 2-0 against Spain, Italy needed to win by three goals, but they’d done enough to get to the Semi-Finals.

GROUP B

12 June 1988, Neckarstadion, Stuttgart, 51,373

ENGLAND   (0)   0

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND   (1)   1   (Houghton 6)

England: Shilton; Stevens, Wright, Adams, Sansom; Waddle, Webb (Hoddle), Robson; Beardsley (Hateley), Lineker, Barnes

Rep Ireland: Bonner; Morris, Moran, McCarthy, Hughton; Houghton, McGrath, Whelan, Galvin (Sheedy); Aldridge, Stapleton (Quinn)

This was an eagerly anticipated meeting as England looked to get their campaign off to a good start against a side making their first appearance in the competition.  Ireland were managed by Jack Charlton, a member of England’s 1966 World Cup winning side.  Six minutes in and a long ball into England’s penalty area, saw Kenny Sansom make a mess of the clearance and Ray Houghton’s header looped over Peter Shilton, and against the odds the Irish were in front.

England then spent the remainder of the game laying siege to the Irish goal but Packy Bonner was in fine form and made a string of fine saves to thwart Lineker, Barnes and Beardsley.  In the end, the Irish hung on to claim a famous victory and England now knew they had an uphill task.

12 June 1988, Mungersdorfer Stadion, Cologne, 54,336

NETHERLANDS   (0)   0

USSR   (0)   1   (Rats 52)

Netherlands: van Breukelen; van Tiggelen, R Koeman, Rijkaard, van Aerle; van’t Schip, Bosman, Wouters, Muhren; Gullit, Vanenberg (van Basten)  

USSR: Dasaev; Besonov, Demianenko, Kuznetsov, Khidiyatullin; Protasov, Belanov (Aleinikov), Zavarov (Sulakvelidze), Lytovchenko; Rats, Mikhailychenko

After England’s defeat earlier in the day, the Dutch could claim an early advantage.  Having missed the 1982 and 1986 World Cups as well as the 1984 European Championships, the Dutch were keen to make an impression this time round.  After a goalless first period the game changed when Rats and Belanov combined to put Rats through and he opened the scoring.  The Dutch then reverted to the long ball to try and find a way back into the game, but the Russians held on and the second upset of the day was complete.

15 June 1988, Rheinstadion, Dusseldorf, 63,940

ENGLAND   (0)   1   (Robson 58)

NETHERLANDS   (1)   3   (van Basten 44, 71, 75)

England: Shilton; Stevens, Wright, Adams, Sansom; Steven (Waddle), Robson, Hoddle; Beardsley (Hateley), Lineker, Barnes

Netherlands: van Breukelen; van Tiggelen, R Koeman, Rijkaard, van Aerle; E Koeman, Wouters, Muhren; Vanenberg (Kieft), Gullit, van Basten (Suvrijn)

England moved on to Dusseldorf to a game against the Dutch which neither side could afford to lose.  England started brightly and both Lineker and Hoddle hit the woodwork, but with a minute to go before half-time Marco van Basten put Netherlands in front.

Early in the 2^nd half, Bryan Robson and Gary Lineker exchanged passes and Robson’s shot rebounded off the keeper and back onto Robson and into the net.  The England fans went wild, and hoped their side were galvanised into a achieving a vital win.  But the game was level until the 71^st minute when van Basten scored his 2^nd of the game.  The Rheinstadion was a sea of orange and the Dutch victory was rounded off when van Basten completed his hat-trick from a Koeman corner.  England were out.  They had been impressive in qualification but now it was all over after just 180 minutes football.

15 June 1986, Niedersachsenstadion, Hanover, 38,308

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND   (1)   1   (Whelan 38)

USSR   (0)   1   (Protasov 74)

Republic Ireland: Bonner; Morris, McCarthy, Moran, Hughton; Houghton, Whelan, Sheedy, Galvin; Aldridge, Stapleton (Cascarino)

USSR: Dasaev (Chanov); Demianenko, Khidiyatullin, Kuznetsov, Rats; Zavarov, Belanov, Aleinikov, Sulakvelidze (Gotsmanov); Protasov, Mikhailichenko

After England’s defeat both sides knew a draw would be enough.  The Irish, buoyed by their opening game victory, were the more inventive but they took 38 minutes to break through the Soviet defence.  Ronnie Whelan got the goal and the Irish really partied.  They held the lead until the final fifteen minutes when Belanov put Protasov through and his shot went under Bonner.  The game ended all-square and now Ireland knew a draw against Netherlands would be enough to get them to the Semis.

18 June 1988, Waldstadion, Frankfurt, 48,335

ENGLAND   (1)   1   (Adams 16)

USSR   (2)   3   (Aleinikov 3, Mikhailichenko 28, Pasulko 73)

England: Woods; Stevens, Watson, Adams, Sansom; Steven, Robson, McMahon (Webb), Hoddle; Lineker (Hateley), Barnes

USSR: Dasaev; Besonov, Khidiyatullin, Kuznetsov, Lytovchenko; Belanov (Pasulko), Zavarov (Gotsmanov); Mikhailichenko, Protasov, Aleinikov

England fans moved onto Frankfurt to try and rescue some consolation from a immensely disappointing campaign.  USSR only needed a draw and couldn’t believe their luck when Hoddle gifted them the first goal as he passed straight to Aleinikov who waltzed past a non-existent defence to put USSR in the lead.  Tony Adams was an unlikely scorer of England’s equaliser in the 16^th minute.  But this was a temporary aberration as England’s defence just seemed incapable of repelling any attack and twenty-eight minutes in and Mikhailichenko arrived unmarked in the box to put the Soviet’s back in front.

Pasulko completed the misery in the 73^rd minute and England went home three defeats from three matches.  USSR, on the other hand, had won the group.

18 June1988, Parkstadion, Gelsenkirchen, 64,731

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND   (0)   0

NETHERLANDS   (0)   1   (Kieft 82)

Rep Ireland: Bonner; Morris (Sheedy), McCarthy, Moran, Hughton; Houghton, McGrath, Whelan, Galvin; Stapleton (Cascarino), Aldridge

Netherlands: van Breukelen; van Tiggelen, Rijkaard, van Aerle; Wouters (E Koeman), Gullit, Muhren (Bosman); Vanenberg, van Basten, Kieft

The Irish had their own chance to win the group if they could beat Netherlands.  Paul McGrath hit the post in the first half as both teams looked to create chances but also make sure they didn’t lose.  Into the final ten minutes and Ronald Koeman volleyed into the ground, and as the ball bounced back up Wim Kieft to glance a header which looked as if it was going wide but the spin on the ball just took it back inside the post.  It was a freaky goal and in the end, it was decided the match.  It sent the Republic back home but they certainly weren’t disgraced.  Netherlands ended second in the group.

SEMI-FINALS

21 June 1988, Volksparkstadion, Hamburg, 61,330

WEST GERMANY   (0)   1   (Matthaus 55 pen)

NETHERLANDS   (0)   2   (R Koeman 74 pen, van Basten 88)

West Germany: Immel; Borowka, Kohler, Herget (Pflugler), Brehme; Matthaus, Thon, Rolff, Mill (Littbarski); Voller, Klinsmann

Netherlands: van Breukelen; van Aerle, R Koeman, Rijkaard, van Tiggelen; Wouters, E Koeman (Suvrijn), Muhren (Kieft); Vanenberg, Gullit, van Basten

These two rivals met in Hamburg.  It was a repeat of the 1974 World Cup Final which was also held on German soil.  The Dutch were determined not to repeat the same scoreline.  The first half included few chances, but the second half soon came to life.  As in 1974 there were two penalties.  Lotthar Matthaus put the home side in front from the spot ten minutes into the half, and then Ronald Koeman equalised with his kick in the 74^th minute.  The game looked to be heading for extra time until, with two minutes to go, Marco van Basten grabbed the winner for the Netherlands. 

West Germany had hoped to match France in 1984 and win on home soil, but the Dutch spoiled the party.

22 June 1988, Neckarstadion, Stuttgart, 61,606

USSR   (0)   2   (Litovchenko 58, Protasov 62)

ITALY   (0)   0

USSR: Dasaev; Kuznetsov, Khidiyatullin, Besonov (Demianenko), Rats; Zavarov, Litovchenko, Gotsmanov; Mikhailichenko, Protasov, Aleinikov

Italy: Zenga; Ferri, Bergomi, F Baresi, Maldini (De Agostini); De Napoli, Ancelotti, Giannini, Donadoni; Mancini (Altobelli), Vialli

Both these countries went out in the Second Round at the 1986 World Cup and so were keen to progress as far as they could at this tournament.  The first half failed to produce a goal but as the hour approached Litovchenko opened the scoring after good work from Mikhailichenko.  Four minutes later they had doubled their lead when Protasov made it 2-0.  Italy pressed to get back into the game but the Soviets were far too strong and were through to their fourth ever European Final.

EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL 1988

25 June 1988

NETHERLANDS   (1)   2   (Gullit 32, van Basten 54)

USSR   (0)   0

Netherlands: van Breukelen; van Tiggelen, Rijkaard, R Koeman, van Aerle; Wouters, E Koeman, Muhren; Vanenberg, Gullit, van Basten

USSR: Dasaev; Demyanenko, Khidiyatullin, Lytovchenko, Gotsmanov; Zavarov, Mikhailichenko, Rats; Belanov, Protasov, Aleinikov  

The Dutch really believed this was their time.  Their first international tournament since 1980 and after losing in both the 1974 and 1978 World Cup Finals, they thought this was their chance to make amends.  USSR were in their fourth European Championship Final.  They won in 1960 but were beaten in 1964 and 1972.

The Dutch were overwhelming favourites due to players like Ruud Gullit, Marco van Basten, Erwin and Ronald Koeman and Frank Rijkaard.  They seemed to start nervously but on the half-hour a cross from the left saw Gullit unmarked in the area and his bullet header beat Dasaev.  Netherlands lead 1-0 at half-time, but you always felt the USSR could find a way back.  Ten minutes into the second half and the Dutch scored the goal which confirmed their name on the trophy and what a goal it was.  Many who saw it still recall the technique required to control the shot.  Marco van Basten was positioned in the Soviet area around the right-hand edge of the six-yard area.  Arnold Muhren, once of Ipswich and Man Utd, crossed from the left into the Soviet area, and the ball fell over van Basten’s right shoulder as he turned away from the goal.  As the ball fell, van Basten caught it on the volley with his right foot and it looped over Dasaev and into the left hand corner of the Soviet net.  It was a goal to grace any final anywhere and it rather proved this was to be the Netherlands year.

The Soviets had a boost when van Breukelen was adjudged to have brought down Gotsmanov in the area, although the keeper looked to be knocking the ball towards the corner flag and the Gotsmanov appeared simply to fall over him.  But the referee pointed to the spot.  Igor Belanov stepped up but van Breukelen guessed right and saved the kick. More evidence it was to be a Dutch year.

USSR failed to make an impression after that and the Dutch had won.  They had played some of the best football during the tournament and in van Basten and Gullit probably had two of the best players in Europe at that time. 

CONCLUSION

As in the last three tournaments, the team who had played the best football won the trophy.  Netherlands bounced back from losing their opening game, ironically against USSR , the side they eventually beat in the Final.  West Germany fully expected to lift the trophy on home soil, they appeared in three successive Euro Finals in 1972, 1976 and 1980, but had missed out in the next two tournaments.

Italy continued their rebuilding after the disaster of not qualifying in 1984, USSR had reached their fourth Final yet had still only won one of them.  England had also recovered from the failure to qualify for France ’84, but their resurgence in the World Cup in ’86, could not be matched here.  Spain were expecting good things after they reached the Quarter-Finals in Mexico ’86, and were losing finalists in France ’84, but they had come to rely on Butragueno too much and he had a disappointing tournament.  Ireland were the breath of fresh air, in their first ever international tournament they did not disgrace themselves and only a late, freak goal by the eventual champions, denied them a Semi-Final place.  Denmark, were in competition with England for the most feeble performance, although England could point to their domination of the Ireland game and the period when they had Netherlands on the rack.  The only time Denmark were matched their opponents in any of their games was prior to kick-off.

Overall, the tournament was a success and, as you’d expect from the Germans, it was well organised.  There was crowd trouble but not during any of the matches.  Gradually this tournament was becoming an important part of the international calendar.