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 - Qualifying

After the 1984 tournament was considered a success, UEFA decided to keep the format the same.  West Germany were chosen as hosts and so they qualified automatically.  The other seven qualifiers would come from the Group winners of the qualifying stage.

QUALIFICATION

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

Group One had Spain, losing finalists four years earlier, up against Romania, Austria and Albania.  Romania were expected to be Spain’s challengers and they were Spain’s first opponents in Seville.  Real Madrid’s Michel scored the only goal of the game.  Romania had already beaten Austria, 4-0.  Spain then travelled to Albania and found themselves 0-1 down, but bounced back to win 2-1.  They then needed a goal 2 minutes from time to win in Vienna, but then lost their advantage as Romania beat them 1-3 in Bucharest.  The final games of the group saw Spain thrash Albania, 5-0, but Romania couldn’t beat Austria, as the game ended goalless and Spain had won the group by just 1pt.

Italy were drawn in Group 2.  They had missed out on qualification for the 1984 tournament after one of their worst campaigns ever.  They were up against Sweden, Switzerland, Portugal and Malta.  Italy were going through a difficult period.  They had won the 1982 World Cup, but didn’t qualify for the 1984 Euros and then only reached the Second Round of the 1986 World Cup.  Their opening match saw them beat Switzerland, 3-2.  Sweden began with two wins and a draw against Switzerland, Portugal and Malta.  Italy then had back-to-back games against Malta, which they won 2-0 and 5-0.  By this time, Alessandro Altobelli had scored in every game and he followed this with the only goal of the game in Portugal.  Portugal were then stunned to be held at home 2-2 by Malta, which probably put paid to their hopes.  Sweden looked to offer Italy with the toughest opposition, especially when they beat Italy, 1-0 in Solna.  But the nature of this group was that few teams could mount a determined challenge, evidenced by Sweden then drawing in Switzerland and then losing at home to Portugal.  Italy then also dropped points in Switzerland, but two goals from Gianluca Vialli saw them beat Sweden in Naples, which secured first place in the group.  Italy eventually won the group by 3pts from Sweden.

Group 3 looked to be a tough group as European Championship holders, France were up against USSR.  France had finished 3^rd in Mexico ’86 and were looking forward to defending their Euro title, they worked so hard to earn 4 years previously.  Things didn’t start well as they were held to a 0-0 draw in Iceland.  But then USSR were also held in Iceland so that evened things up.  The first big clash between the two was in Paris in October 1986.  Goals from Belanov and Rats gave the visitors a 2-0 win.  France then travelled to East Germany and were again held to a 0-0 draw.  Three matches into their defence of the trophy and they had yet to score a goal.  USSR beat Norway, 4-0 and 1-0, then East Germany, 2-0 and were clearly in good form.  France finally found the net when they beat Iceland, 2-0, but then ruined it all by losing 0-2 to Norway.  The 2^nd big meeting between USSR and France ended in a 1-1 draw, and so USSR retained the advantage.  Then USSR dropped points away to East Germany, but then 4 days later France were held at home by Norway.  USSR had now qualified for the finals and the holders were out.  France’s final act of a thoroughly miserable campaign saw them lose to a last minute goal at home to East Germany.  They’d won one of their eight games, scoring just four goals.

Group 4 had England up against Northern Ireland, as well as Turkey and Yugoslavia.  England had missed the 1984 tournament, but reached the Quarter-Finals of the 1986 World Cup.  Their opening game was a 3-0 win over the Irish at Wembley with two goals from Gary Lineker.  Yugoslavia then beat Turkey, 4-0 before Northern Ireland travelled to Turkey and earned a 0-0 draw.  England were at home again for their second game when Yugoslavia were the visitors, and they kept up their winning run with a 2-0 victory.  They then travelled to Windsor Park and goals from Steve Hodge and Chris Waddle gave them another 2-0 win.  They dropped their first points in Turkey when they played out a 0-0 draw.  The Irish were then 1-0 up at home to Yugoslavia, but then lost 1-2 and then were also beaten in Sarajevo, 0-3.  England then played host to Turkey and had one of their biggest wins in history.  Lineker scored a hat-trick, John Barnes got two and goals from Bryan Robson, Peter Beardsley and Neil Webb gave England an 8-0 win to confirm qualification for the finals.  England continued the goal-fest with a 4-1 win in Yugoslavia.  England scored all their goals in the opening twenty-five minutes too!

England won the group, unbeaten winning five of their six matches and conceding just one goal.  They had high hopes for the finals.

Group 5 contained Netherlands who had missed the last Championships as well as the ’86 World Cup.  They were drawn against Greece, Hungary, Poland and Cyprus.  Poland were the favourites having finished 3^rd in the ’82 World Cup and competing in the ’86 World Cup too.

Poland were first up as they beat Greece, 2-1, then the Dutch won in Hungary before they met Poland in Amsterdam.  The game ended 0-0, a result that suited Poland more than Netherlands.  The Dutch then won in Cyprus, before they were held at home by Greece.  Poland were then held at home by Cyprus and then went to Athens and were beaten 0-1 by Greece.  Goals from Gullit and Muhren saw the Dutch win 2-0 at home to Hungary, before Hungary bounced back to beat Poland in Budapest, 5-3.  The return fixture also contained goals but this time Poland won 3-2.  So October 1987 in Warsaw and the Dutch were the visitors.  Ruud Gullit scored another two goals and Netherlands had qualified for the finals.  They finished up beating Cyprus, 4-0 and then Greece 3-0.  Netherlands had won the group, going through unbeaten conceding one goal

Group 6 saw Denmark, who many people thought were good enough to win in 1984, up against Czechoslovakia, Wales and Finland.

Finland were involved in five of the first six matches, although they only picked up 1pt when they drew with Wales in Helsinki.  Wales were able to get the better of them when they played at Wrexham as they won 4-0.  Denmark had beaten Finland home and away, 1-0 and then drew away to the Czechs.  When the Czechs arrived in Wrexham, Ian Rush’s goal eight minutes from time gained a 1-1 draw and the advantage was now with Denmark.  Jan Molby put Denmark in front at home to Czechoslovakia to then be held to a 1-1 draw.  But the Czechs then blew their chances when they lost 0-3 in Finland.  Denmark just needed 2pts from their back-to-back meetings with Wales.  In Cardiff, Mark Hughes scored the only goal of the game, but in Copenhagen Preben Elkjaer did likewise for Denmark and the 1-0 win was enough to see them qualify.  The Czechs then beat Wales, but it was their defeat to Finland which did for them, and Denmark won the group, despite only winning 50% of their matches

Group 7 promised to be a tight one.  Belgium, runners-up in ’80, were drawn with Bulgaria, Republic of Ireland, Scotland and Luxembourg.  With Luxembourg expected to be the whipping boys, results between the other could prove crucial.  Belgium were up first at home to Ireland.  Twice they lead, but twice the Irish pulled them back and then game ended 2-2.  On the same night, Scotland then drew 0-0 at home to Bulgaria.  Belgium did their goal difference no harm winning 6-0 in Luxembourg as Nico Claesen hit a hat-trick.  Ireland and Scotland then met in Dublin and the Scots played out another 0-0 draw.  But then Scotland beat Luxembourg, 3-0 at Hampden Park, before Belgium dropped more points as they were held 1-1 at home to Bulgaria.  In February 1987 Republic of Ireland visited Hampden Park, and Mark Lawrenson scored the only goal of the game.  But then two weeks later, the Irish ruined that good work by losing in Sofia and then being held 0-0 at home to Belgium.  Between those games, Belgium had thumped Scotland, 4-1 as Nico Claesen continued his goalscoring form with another hat-trick.  The Irish and the Belgians then played out a 0-0 draw in Dublin.  Twenty four hours later and Bulgaria won in Luxembourg to go top of the group.  The Irish also won in Luxembourg although only by 2-0 and there were concerns goal difference could decide the group.  When Ireland then beat Luxembourg in Dublin, 2-1 and they went to the top of the group.

Bulgaria then beat Belgium, 2-0 to go back on top.  October 1987, Bulgaria arrived at Lansdowne Road, on the same night as Scotland entertained Belgium.  Paul McGrath and Kevin Moran scored the goals that gave Ireland a 2-0 win over Bulgaria and Ally McCoist and Paul McStay scored the goals was gave Scotland a 2-0 win over Belgium.  Ireland had now finished their matches and lead Bulgaria by 1pt.  The Bulgarians had just 1 game left, at home to Scotland.  Belgium’s defeat in Glasgow put paid to their qualification hopes and Scotland couldn’t go through either.  November 1987 and Bulgaria were at home to Scotland, knowing a draw would be enough to see them progress.  For 86 minutes the game was goalless and as the Irish were beginning to feel their dream had gone, Hearts midfielder, Gary Mackay stepped up to score the only goal of the game, and the only international goal of his career.  Scotland had pulled off an unlikely 1-0 win and the Republic of Ireland had won the group.  Just 2pts separated 4 countries, and the Irish had qualified for a major tournament for the first time in their history.

After 14 months of competition, we now had our 7 qualifiers to join West Germany.

Denmark, England, Italy, Netherlands, Republic of Ireland, Spain, USSR.

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.