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1988: Deadly Dutch triumph
The Federal Republic of Germany hosted for the 1988 UEFA
European Championship finals, played to the same format as in
1984, namely with eight teams.
Soviet summit The Germans duly progressed without drama from
their group to the semi-finals along with Italy, at the expense
of Denmark and Spain. In the other group, England finished last
and the Republic of Ireland almost made the semi-finals, failing
at the last gasp in their deciding match against the
Netherlands. An excellent Soviet Union side topped the group,
followed by the Dutch. In the semi-finals, the Dutch triumphed
2-1 over the Germans, while the Soviet Union comfortably beat
Italy 2-0.
Final flourish In the final the Soviet Union gave as good as
they got in an entertaining first half, but were 1-0 down at the
break after a Ruud Gullit goal. In the second half the Dutch
pulled away, inspired by a stunning goal from Marco van Basten:
a dipping volley from an extremely acute angle. Hans van
Breukelen denied the Soviet Union a chance to get back into it
by saving a penalty, and the Dutch – coached by Rinus Michels
– lifted a major trophy for the first time.
1984: France's first success
Semi-finals returned for the 1984 UEFA European Championship,
held in France: the two groups remained, but this time the top
two from each would progress.
Germans ousted The high-scoring French progressed in relative
comfort and Denmark beat off the challenge of Belgium to claim
the other semi-final place. In Group Two, Portugal beat Romania
1-0 to go through and for once the Germans lost out in the dying
stages of a match, a late goal from Spain knocking them out.
Hosts triumph France prevailed over Portugal 3-2 in a classic
semi-final. The other match was equally tight, going to a
penalty shoot-out that Spain won 5-4 after the match finished
1-1 after extra time. France took the lead in the Final after
the Spanish ‘keeper Luis Arkonada fumbled a Michel Platini
free-kick over the line; then, reduced to ten men late in the
game and defending doggedly, they wrapped things up with a
decisive second goal on the break through Bruno Bellone.
1980: Germany triumph again
A new format was introduced for the 1980 UEFA European
Championship finals. After qualifying rounds, eight rather than
four teams were to go to the Finals - held in Italy once again -
and play each other in two groups of four.
Hrubesch double The Federal Republic of Germany qualified from a
group containing Czechoslovakia, the Netherlands and Greece. In
the other group Belgium beat Spain, drew with England, and
played out a goalless draw with the Italians to ensure their
place in the final. Germany took an early lead through Horst
Hrubesch; Belgium equalised with a René Vandereycken penalty;
then, with extra time looming, the Germans came through again,
winning 2-1 through a second Hrubesch goal.
1976: Panenka's perfect penalty
The UEFA European Championship finals were held in Yugoslavia in
1976, with Czechoslovakia emerging as winners.
German fightback Ten-man Czechoslovakia proved too strong for
the nine-man Netherlands in a tempestuous 3-1 win in the first
semi-final. The Federal Republic of Germany, 2-0 down at half
time, fought back to equalise and win 4-2 in extra time in their
semi-final against the hosts.
Czechs succeed In the final, Czechoslovaks went two goals up
early on, but once again the Germans fought back to equalise in
the second half. Extra time came and went with no further
scoring, and the match had to be decided on penalties. The
Czechs led 4-3 after seven consecutive successful kicks; then
Uli Hoeness put his kick over the bar. Antonín Panenka, under
immense pressure, stepped up to take one of the coolest
penalties ever, chipping the ball delicately into the space
vacated by Sepp Maier’s anticipatory dive, and Czechoslovakia
lifted the trophy.
1972:Golden Müller
The 1972 UEFA European Championship finals retained the same
structure and the groups were played out with few surprises.
Hosts defeated The finals, in Belgium, drew the hosts against
the favourites, the Federal Republic of Germany, who duly won
with two goals by the prolific Gerd Müller; meanwhile the
Soviet Union prevailed against Hungary to reach their third
Final in four tournaments.
Comfortable win The Germans won the final comfortably, 3-0,
thanks to another two goals from Müller – who had managed 11
in the tournament. Two years later the same team would be world
champions.
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