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.

1984 - European Championships

The seventh European Championships were held in France.  Seven countries qualified to join the hosts.  They were split into two groups, and in a change from the 1980 tournament, there would then be a Semi-Final stage.

Group A  :  France, Belgium, Denmark, Yugoslavia

Group B  :  West Germany, Spain, Portugal, Romania

As with the World Cup two years later in Mexico, the tournament was dominated by one man.  Although there is little doubt Diego Marandona won the World Cup for Argentina, hauling a very average side to glory, Michel Platini was surrounded by quality players.  He was at the pinnacle of his game and had just been part of a Juventus side which had won Serie A.  The French had assembled a very classy side, unlucky not to reach the World Cup Final in 1982, but two years later they weren’t to be denied.

GROUP A

12 June 1984, Parc des Princes, 47,570

FRANCE   (0)   1   (Platini 78)

DENMARK   (0)   0

FRANCE: Bats; Amoros, Le Roux (Domergue), Bossis, Battiston; Fernandez, Platini, Giresse, Tigana; Lacombe, Bellone

DENMARK: Qvist; Busk, M Olsen, Nielsen; Arnesen (J Olsen), Simonsen (Lauridsen), Bertelsen, Lerby; Berggreen, Laudrup, Elkjaer

A virtual capacity crowd filled Parc des Princes in Paris to watch the hosts take on England’s victors, Denmark.  These were two of the most attractive sides of the 80’s.  France with their classy midfield of Platini, Tigana, Fernandez and Giresse.  Denmark with Simonsen, Arnesen, Lerby, Elkjaar and Michael Laudrup.  A feisty game was settled by a goal from Platini with just over ten minutes to go.  There was a hint of luck about the goal, which took a deflection past the keeper, but that seemed to typify the Frenchman’s luck at this present time.  Just before the end, French defender Amoros was sent-off for a head-butt on Jesper Olsen

13 June 1984, Stade Felix-Bollaert, Lens, 41,744

BELGIUM   (1)   2   (Vandenbergh 28, Grun 45)

YUGOSLAVIA   (0)   0

BELGIUM: Pfaff; Grun, Clijsters (Lambrichts), de Wolf; Vercauteren, Claesen, Scifo, de Greef, Vandereycken; Vandenbergh, Ceulemans

YUGOSLAVIA: Simovic; Zajec, Katanec, Gudelj, N Stojkovic; Bazdarevic (Cvetkovic), Susic, Sestic, Vujovic (D Stojkovic), Hadzibegic; Halilovic

Belgium, runners-up four years earlier, were up against Yugoslavia who hosted the 1976 finals.  Belgium were two goals up by half-time and the game was over.  Erwin Vandenburgh and Georges Grun scored the goals.  Vandenburgh’s was an impressive strike from just outside the area, and Grun was given the freedom of the Yugoslav box to convert a cross.

16 June 1984, Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes, 51,359

FRANCE   (3)   5   (Platini 4, 74 pen, 89, Giresse 33, Fernandez 43)

BELGIUM   (0)   0

FRANCE: Bats; Domergue, Bossis, Battiston; Fernandez, Platini, Giresse, Tigana, Genghini (Tusseau); Lacombe (Rocheteau), Six

BELGIUM: Pfaff; Grun, Lambrichts, de Wolf; Claesen, Scifo (Verheyen), de Greef, Vandereycken (Coeck), Vercauteren; Vandenbergh, Ceulemans

Four minutes in and the French had a free-kick about twenty five yards out.  Platini played the ball square to Fernandez whose shot rebounded off the crossbar.  Platini was first to it and fired the French in front.  The French just dominated the first half and played some lovely football.  Alain Giresse made it 2-0 and then just before half-time Luis Fernandez put them 3-0 up.

In the second half, Platini converted a penalty and completed the perfect hat-trick as he headed home for the fifth goal.  His first was with his left foot, second with his right and then the header.

16 June 1984, Stade de Gerland, Lyon, 24,736

DENMARK   (2)   5   (Arnesen 8, 69 pen, Berggreen 16, Elkjaer 82, Lauridsen 84)

YUGOSLAVIA   (0)   0

DENMARK: Qvist; Nielsen, M Olsen, Busk, Rasmussen (Sivebaek); Arnesen (Lauridsen), Bertelsen, Lerby; Berggreen, Laudrup, Elkjaer

YUGOSLAVIA: Ivkovic; Radanovic, Zajec, Katanec (Halilovic), N Stojkovic, Miljus; Susic, Bazdarevic (D Stojkovic), Gudelj, Vujovic; Cvetkovic

After France took Belgium apart, Denmark followed this with their own demolition of Yugoslavia.  Frank Arnesen put the Danes in front in the opening ten minutes as the Slav keeper turned Arnesen’s cross into his own net.  Ten minutes later, Berggreen scrambled the ball over the line to double the lead.  In the second half, Arnesen converted a penalty after Elkjaer was pushed over in the area, and then as the game moved into the final ten minutes it became the Preben Elkjaer show.  They ran riot as Elkjaer made it 4-0 and then substitute Martin Lauridsen completed the scoring with the fifth.

19 June 1984, Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, St. Etienne, 47,589

FRANCE   (0)   3   (Platini, 59, 62, 77)

YUGOSLAVIA   (1)   2   (Sestic 32, D Stojkovic 84 pen)

FRANCE: Bats; Domergue, Bossis, Battiston, Fernandez; Ferreri (Bravo), Platini, Tigana, Giresse; Rocheteau (Tusseau), Six

YUGOSLAVIA: Simovic; Radanovic, Zajec, Gudelj, N Stojkovic, Miljus;, Bazdarevic (Katanec), Susic, D Stojkovic; Vujovic (Deveric)

France had secured qualification to the Semis, they just needed to try and win the group.  After the debacle of West Germany and Austria in Spain ’82, UEFA made sure that both final group matches kicked off at the same time.  France met Yugoslavia in St. Etienne, but surprisingly went behind when Sestic opened the scoring after thirty-two minutes.  The Yugoslavs were leading at half-time, and held that the hour when France equalised.  Inevitably, it was Platini who got it with his fifth goal of the tournament.  Three minutes later, he put the home side in front.  With thirteen minutes left, Platini completed his second successive hat-trick and the game was won.  Stojkovic later converted a penalty, but it was merely a consolation as France were looking increasingly impressive.

19 June 1984, Stade de la Meinau, Strasbourg, 36,911

DENMARK   (1)   3   (Arnesen 41 pen, Brylle 60, Elkjaer 84)

BELGIUM   (2)   2   (Ceulemans 26, Vercauteren 39)

DENMARK Qvist; Nielsen, M Olsen, Busk, Rasmussen (Brylle); Arnesen (Sivebaek), Bertelsen, Lerby; Berggreen, Laudrup, Elkjaer

BELGIUM: Pfaff; Grun, de Wolf, Clijsters; Claesen (Coeck), Vandereycken, Scifo, de Greef, Vercauteren (Voordeckers); Vandenbergh, Ceulemans

Denmark’s demolition of Yugoslavia was an excellent recovery from losing to France.  This was likely to be the shoot-out for second place, although goal difference would see Denmark go through with a draw.

Jan Ceulemans gave Belgium the lead midway through the first half.  Then as the break was barely five minutes away, they doubled that lead as Frankie Vercauteren put them 2-0 up.  The Danes replied soon after when Frank Arnesen converted a penalty.  Belgium lead 2-1 at the break, but then the game was levelled on the hour when Kenneth Brylle equalised.  Into the last five minutes and the game was still level, but then Preben Elkjaer grabbed a winner for Denmark and they’d made certain of qualification for the Semi-Finals

GROUP B

14 June 1984, Stade de la Meinau, Strasbourg, 44,707

WEST GERMANY   (0)   0

PORTUGAL   (0)   0

WEST GERMANY: Schumacher; B Forster, KH Forster, Stielike, Briegel; Rolff (Matthaus), Buchwald (Bommer), Rummenigge, Brehme; Voller, Allofs

PORTUGAL: Bento; Joao Pinto, Pereira, Eurico Gomes, Magalhaes; Carlos Manuel, Pacheco, Frasco (Veloso), Sousa; Chalana, Jordao (Fernando Gomes)

The holders, West Germany failed to win their opening game for the third tournament in the last four.  Portugal had not qualified for a major tournament since England in 1966, but had put together an attractive side and they had high hopes for this competition.  A 0-0 draw in Strasbourg probably suited them more than it did the Germans

14 June 1984, Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, St Etienne, 16,972

ROMANIA   (1)   1   (Boloni 35)

SPAIN   (1)   1   (Carrasco 22 pen)

ROMANIA: Lung; Rednic, Iorgulescu, Ungureanu, Stefanescu; Coras, Dragnea (Ticleanu), Boloni, Klein; Gabor (Hagi), Camataru

SPAIN: Arconada; Urquiaga, Goicoechea, Maceda, Camacho; Senor, Gordillo, Munoz, Gallego (Julio Alberto); Carrasco, Santillana

In St. Etienne, the two outsiders in the group played out another draw.  Spain, who had disappointed in their own World Cup two years earlier, took the lead when Barcelona’s Francisco Carrasco scored from the penalty spot.  But ten minutes before half-time, Laszlo Boloni equalised for the Romanians.  Neither side could break the other down during the second half and so after the opening games of this group, all four sides were unseparated.

17 June 1984, Stade Felix-Bollaert, Lens, 31,787

WEST GERMANY   (1)   2   (Voller 25, 66)

ROMANIA   (0)   1   (Coras 46)

WEST GERMANY: Schumacher; B Forster, KH Forster (Buchwald), Stielike, Briegel; Meier (Littbarski), Matthaus, Rummenigge, Brehme; Allofs, Voller

ROMANIA: Lung; Rednic, Stefanescu, Andone, Ungureanu; Dragnea (Ticleanu), Boloni, Klein; Coras, Camataru, Hagi (Zare)

In Lens, the Germans finally made an impression on the tournament.  Rudi Voller gave them a first half lead.  But a minute into the second period and Marcel Coras equalised for the Romanians.  Voller then scored his second in the 66^th minute and that proved to be the winner.  After both opening matches were drawn, any country winning their next game would be in control of the group.  Typically, the Germans had done just enough.

17 June 1984, Stade Velodrome, Marseille, 24,364

PORTUGAL   (0)   1   (Sousa 52)

SPAIN   (0)   1   (Santillana 73)

PORTUGAL: Bento; Joao Pinto, Pereira, Eurico Gomes, Magalhaes; Carlos Manuel, Frasco, Pacheco, Sousa; Chalana, Jordao

SPAIN: Arconada; Urquiaga (Senor), Goicoechea, Maceda, Camacho; Julio Alberto (Sarabia), Munoz, Gordillo, Gallego; Carrasco, Santillana

After the Germans win in Lens in the afternoon, this ‘local derby’ became vitally important for both sides, and Romania too.  After a goalless first half, the deadlock was finally broken by Antonio Sousa put the Portuguese in front within ten minutes of the re-start.  They held that lead until the game was heading towards the final quarter-of-an-hour when Carlos Santillana equalised for the Spanish.  Both teams seemed to settle for the point, which meant the Romanians could breathe a sigh of relief.

20 June 1984, Parc des Princes, Paris, 47,691

WEST GERMANY   (0)   0

SPAIN   (0)   1   (Maceda 90)

WEST GERMANY: Schumacher; B Forster, KH Forster, Stielike, Briegel; Meier (Littbarski), Matthaus, Rummenigge, Brehme (Rolff); Allofs, Voller

SPAIN: Arconada; Senor, Goicoechea (Salva), Maceda, Camacho; Julio Alberto (Francisco), Gordillo, Munoz, Gallego; Carrasco, Santillana

West Germany had beaten Spain in a deciding second phase match in the ’82 World Cup.  This time at the Parc des Princes, a draw would probably be enough for the Germans.  A tight game, saw the Germans have the better of the chances.  They hit the woodwork twice and Luis Arconada pulled off a string of fantastic saves in the Spanish goal.  The game looked to be heading for a 0-0 draw, which could well have been enough for both countries, when in the 90^th minute Senor crossed and Maceda was unmarked in the area and he headed past Schumacher.  Spain had pulled off a dramatic win and the Germans were left sweating on the result in Nantes

20 June 1984, Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes, 24,464

PORTUGAL   (0)   1   (Nene 81)

ROMANIA   (0)   0

PORTUGAL: Bento; Joao Pinto, Pereira, Eurico Gomes, Magalhaes; Carlos Manuel (Nene), Fraso, Sousa; Chalana (Diamantino), Fernando Gomes, Jordao

ROMANIA: Moraru; Negrila, Stefanescu, Iorgulescu, Ungureanu; Irimescu (Gabor), Rednic, Boloni, Klein; Camataru (Augustin), Coras

Romania’s loss to Germany meant they needed to win this game.  Portugal could’ve progressed with a draw, although they were still dependent on Spain’s progress against West Germany.  This was a tense match which was still goalless heading into the final ten minutes, when Benfica striker, Nene, scored for Portugal and that proved the only goal of the game.  Portugal had won the group, and Spain’s last minute winner saw them go through too.  This meant elimination for the holders, West Germany in the most dramatic of circumstances.

SEMI-FINALS

23 June 1984, Stade Velodrome, Marseille, 54,848

FRANCE   (1)   3   (Domergue 24, 114, Platini 119)

PORTUGAL   (0)   2   (Jordao 74, 98)

FRANCE: Bats; Domergue, Bossis, Le Roux, Battiston; Fernandez, Platini, Tigana, Giresse; Lacombe (Ferreri), Six (Bellone)

PORTUGAL: Bento; Joao Pinto, Pereira, Eurico Gomes, Magalhaes; Frasco, Sousa (Nene), Jaime Pacheco; Chalana, Diamantino (Fernando Gomes), Rui Jordao

The Semi-Final matches in this competition were two of the most exciting you could ever see.  First up were the French.  They’d been irresistible during the group stage as Platini had scored seven of their nine goals.  Portugal had also been good to watch and this would’ve been many people’s choice for the Final.

France took twenty-four minutes to break down the Portguese as they were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the area.  Jean-Francois Domergue spotted a gap in the end of the wall and expertly took advantage to put the ball beyond Bento.  France pushed for a second goal to make sure, but Portugal battled like demons.  Bento pulled off several good saves, but French keeper, Bats, was also kept busy.  Thirteen minutes from time, Chalana crossed for Rui Jordao to loop his header over Bats and into the French goal.  This took the game into extra time.

If the French felt robbed by the late equaliser, they were well and truly stunned when Jordao scored his second goal just eight minutes into extra time.  Chalana was again involved as Jordao scuffed his shot into the ground and the ball bounced over Bats and into the net.  Portugal had taken an unlikely 2-1 lead.

In the space of twenty minutes the French had gone from the brink of a Final appearance they craved, to struggling to live with the weight of expectation.  With six minutes to play, Le Roux’s shot was charged down and the ball fell to Platini.  He was hauled to the ground before he could get his shot in, but Domergue was first to the loose ball and fired it into the roof of the net.  The Marseille crowd erupted.  With barely ninety seconds remaining, Jean Tigana took the ball wide on the right, got to the bye-line and crossed into the area.  To the joy of the French supporters, it fell to Platini, who calmly controlled the ball and then fired it past Bento.  Dramatically, the French had managed to get to a major tournament Final for the first time.  You felt a bit sorry for the Portuguese but it was probably the better team who won.

24 June 1984, Stade de Gerland, Lyon, 47,843

SPAIN   (0)   1   (Maceda 67)

DENMARK   (1)   1   (Lerby 7)

SPAIN: Arconada; Senor, Salva (Urquiaga), Maceda, Camacho; Julio Alberto (Sarabia), Gordillo, Munoz, Gallego; Carrasco, Santillana

DENMARK: Qvist; Sivebaek, M Olsen (Brylle), Busk, Nielsen; Arnesen (J Olsen), Bertelsen, Lerby; Berggreen, Laudrup, Elkjaer

Penalties: SPAIN: Santillana, Senor, Urquiaga, Munoz, Sarabia

DENMARK: Brylle, J Olsen, Laudrup, Lerby, Elkjaer

In Lyon, Denmark took an early lead when Soren Lerby scored after seven minutes.  Denmark were expected to win from here as they had been as attractive to watch as the French and many were looking forward to a classic Final.  Midway through the second half, it was Maceda again who saved the Spanish as he equalised.  The game went into extra time but there was still no winner, so penalties were required.

Santillana was up first for Spain and he scored.  Brylle did likewise for Denmark.  Senor then put Spain 2-1 up before Jesper Olsen levelled for the Danes.  Urquiaga then continued the conversion rate but Laudrup again brought Denmark level.  Victor Munoz made it 4-3 to Spain and then Soren Lerby, under pressure, levelled again.  Sarabia took the fifth penalty for Spain and he also scored.  This meant Denmark’s top striker, Elkjaer needed to score to take the shootout into ‘sudden death’.  He didn’t, and so Spain had got to the Final of a tournament they seemed to have done little to deserve, although knocking out West Germany and Denmark could been considered good enough.

EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL 1984

27 June 1984, Parc des Princes, Paris, 47,368

FRANCE   (0)   2   (Platini 57, Bellone 90)

SPAIN   (0)   0

FRANCE: Bats; Battiston, Le Roux, Bossis, Battiston; Fernandez, Giresse, Platini, Tigana; Lacombe, Bellone

SPAIN: Arconada; Urquiaga, Salva (Roberto), Gallego, Camacho; Senor, Julio Alberto (Sarabia), Francisco, Munoz; Carrasco, Santillana

Over 47, 000 packed into the Parc des Princes and the vociferous home crowd were desperate for a French win.  They had waited so many years for a Final appearance in a major competition that the weight of expectation was almost too much.  Spain had done remarkably well to get to the Final too.  Don’t forget they almost didn’t qualify for the final stages and needed to beat Malta 12-1 to secure a place.  The game was a disappointment.  Spain did their best to spoil any French attack and the game was goalless at half-time.

As the game reached the hour mark, France were awarded a penalty on the edge of the Spanish area.  Platini stepped up, bent it round the wall, but Arconada was there to smother the ball low down by his left-hand post.  Arconada was possibly one of the best keepers in Europe at the time, but inexplicably he let the ball roll under him and he turned to see it crawl over the line.  This was Platini’s ninth goal of the competition in only his fifth game, and there was a collective sigh of relief around the stadium.

France were then reduced to ten men as Le Roux was sent-off, but the French were much more relaxed by this time.  Spain used the offside trap time after time and the French just couldn’t spring it, but as we headed towards time added on, Bellone managed to beat the offside trap as he ran onto a through ball and as Arconada came out, he delicately chipped the ball over him and into the net.  The French had done it, they won the European Championships and had played some of the most exciting, attractive football to do it too.  Few could argue the best team had won.

CONCLUSION

This tournament had several notable absentees such as England, Italy and Netherlands.  But it was also notable for a lack of crowd trouble too.  France were the best team throughout, although many would’ve hoped for another France/Denmark final as they had proved to be the most entertaining to watch.  West Germany were disappointing in their defence of their title and Spain were fortunate throughout.  The Spanish were nineties minutes from missing out on qualification, needing to beat Malta by eleven clear goals to get there.  In the finals, their failure to beat either Romania or Portugal had them on the verge of going out in the group stage as well, before Maceda’s winner against the Germans in the final minute.  Then there was the drama of a shootout in the Semi-Finals against Denmark.

There’s no doubt the tournament was better for the addition of a Semi-Final stage after the groups, but with the Final being contested by both group winners, one could argue this was only for the watching public rather than the football.