1992 UEFA European Football Championship EM by ThomasHTV - Dailymotion

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00:00:30Kings of the continent, emperors of Europe, heroes of Holland.

00:00:46This is Munich in 1988.

00:00:49The Netherlands had just swept the Soviet Union into football oblivion.

00:00:53The score was 2-0.

00:00:55It might as well have been 10.

00:00:57All glory to the winners.

00:00:59Skipper Rudhullitz and goalkeeper Hans van Breuklen lead the lap of honour.

00:01:04The top goalscorer Marco van Basten carries it on.

00:01:14And so, from the European Championship of 1988 to the European Championship of 1992.

00:01:21From Germany, Munich and the Olympische Stadion to Sweden, Gothenburg and the Ullevi.

00:01:26This is where the final will be played on June the 26th.

00:01:30A venue which has seen speedway, athletics, league and European club soccer, but never yet an occasion like this.

00:01:37The last time the Ullevi hosted one of the two major international championships was 34 years ago, when it was built for the 1958 World Cup.

00:01:48Here, England had drawn the Soviet Union and Brazil.

00:01:51Here, a boy named Pele had made his World Cup debut in a group match against the Soviets.

00:01:56Galvanised by organised cheerleaders, the Swedish fans roared their appreciation of the world's most popular game.

00:02:03The country embraced top quality football and all its trappings.

00:02:08The street decorations bore witness to the natural enthusiasm for the big match.

00:02:12Even the sea traffic was all one way.

00:02:18The port of Gothenburg was the gateway through which the fans poured in, on foot, by motorcycle, by car and by bus.

00:02:28It also proved a gateway to the final for the host nation, Sweden.

00:02:33The Swedish team had beaten World Cup holders West Germany 3-2 to earn a place in the final itself.

00:02:39Thus, the Swedish flag flew alongside that of Brazil over the Solna Stadium in Stockholm.

00:02:47But down on the pitch, it was that 17-year-old, known as Pele, who dominated the 1958 World Cup final.

00:02:59Sweden attacked from the start.

00:03:02The reward was an opening goal for skipper Nils Lidholm.

00:03:05Brazil equalised through Vava.

00:03:09Then Garincha, on the right wing, took Sweden's defence apart.

00:03:16Vava made it 2-1 to Brazil.

00:03:19Then Pele scored the most audacious goal in the Caps history,

00:03:23juggling like a circus entertainer before shooting past goalkeeper Svensson.

00:03:27Coach, Vincente Fiola, demanded more pressure and more goals.

00:03:33Mario Zagallo scored a fourth and then provided the long cross which saw Pele head Brazil's fifth.

00:03:39Final score, Sweden 2, Brazil 5.

00:03:42Brazil's players and coaches saluted the crowd by parading the Swedish flag round the ground.

00:03:52Little did they suspect that the World Cup would shortly have to share the international spotlight.

00:03:56In September of the same year, UEFA, the new governing body of European football,

00:04:05launched a competition called the Nations Cup, now better known as the European Championship.

00:04:10UEFA Secretary Henry Delauny had long been an advocate of such an event,

00:04:15both in print as well as in the corridors of power.

00:04:17Only 17 nations entered the first tournament.

00:04:22After two years qualifying, the Soviet Union beat Yugoslavia 2-1 in the final.

00:04:29The Soviets were back in the final in 64,

00:04:32but this time they were beaten 2-1 by Spain in Madrid.

00:04:35Despite fielding the great Lev Yashinin goal,

00:04:38the Soviets were outplayed in the closing stages of a tight match.

00:04:41This trophy, named the Cup Henry Delauny after the event's founding father,

00:04:49had, within a few short years, become one of the most prestigious in the game.

00:04:57Spain found their victorious inspiration from right-winger Amancio

00:05:01and from their midfield general Luis Suarez.

00:05:05He played his club football in Italy for Internazionale.

00:05:08It was Suarez who pulled the springs, so Chus Pereira from Barcelona

00:05:12could score both Spain's goals to the ecstatic delight of a 125,000-capacity crowd.

00:05:19Another Barcelona player, central defender Fernando Oliveira,

00:05:23stepped forward to receive the trophy from UEFA president Gustave Videker.

00:05:28Four years later, Italy brought glamour to the event

00:05:31by inviting French singer Isabel Aubrey to make the draw.

00:05:35She brought the Italians a slice of luck

00:05:37In the semi-final, they beat the Soviet Union on the toss of a coin.

00:05:40Then it took a replay before they beat Yugoslavia 2-0 in the final.

00:05:461972 brought victory for one of the finest sides

00:05:50to shine through the European Championship.

00:05:52In the final in Brussels, the Soviet Union were again runners-up,

00:05:56beaten 3-0 by a wonderful West German team

00:05:59created by legendary manager Helmut Schoen

00:06:01and built on foundations provided by the Bayern Munich Club.

00:06:05In France Beckenbauer, Germany were captained by an inspirational player

00:06:10who revolutionised the role of the sweeper.

00:06:15Beckenbauer also led the Germans into the finals in Yugoslavia in 1976.

00:06:19Czechoslovakia beat Germany in a thrilling final.

00:06:27Goalkeeper Ivo Victor was their hero

00:06:29in the dynamic and decisive penalty shootout.

00:06:32In the excitement, the Czechs swapped shirts with the beaten Germans

00:06:37before collecting the cup.

00:06:45Third in 1976, Dutch football fans expected better in 1980.

00:06:51Once again, though, they were to be disappointed.

00:06:53The crunch match was the first-round meeting with West Germany in Naples.

00:06:59Germany went ahead after only 15 minutes through Klaus Alofs.

00:07:03After a quarter of an hour of the second half, the Germans extended their lead.

00:07:08Holland failed to deal with this raid by Hansi Müller

00:07:10and Alofs collected his second goal of the afternoon.

00:07:13Holland's defence fell apart.

00:07:20Goalkeeper Shriver has tried his best,

00:07:22but when Bernd Schuster sliced through the Dutch defence,

00:07:25there was no stopping Alofs collecting his hat-trick.

00:07:28Indeed, those three goals would turn him into the top scorer at the finals.

00:07:33Holland pulled the goal back through a Johnny Rhett penalty

00:07:36after Matthäus tripped Wienerkerse.

00:07:38Suddenly, Holland's fans found their voices and their players' new heart.

00:07:45The Germans began to wilt.

00:07:47Willi van der Kirchhoff cracked home a second goal,

00:07:50but it was too little, too late.

00:07:52West Germany won 3-2 to secure a place in the final.

00:07:57Europe's roads led to Rome for a second time in 12 years

00:08:00in European Championship history.

00:08:03West Germany against Belgium.

00:08:04Karl-Heinz Rummenigge was the Germans' most dangerous attacking weapon.

00:08:11The Bayern Munich forward stretched Belgium with his pace and skill

00:08:14before Schuster and Alofs created the opening goal for Horst Trubesch.

00:08:23The German fans had no doubt that an avalanche of goals would follow.

00:08:28Instead, at the other end, the Germans gave away a penalty

00:08:31when van der Else was tripped by sweeper Uli Stielicke.

00:08:38Stielicke was furious.

00:08:39He knew he'd tripped van der Else,

00:08:41but he thought he'd done it outside the penalty area.

00:08:46German goalkeeper Tony Schumacher was on his way to becoming a penalty expert.

00:08:50But even he could do nothing to stop van der Rijken's thunderbolts.

00:08:57Belgium, after being all but overrun,

00:09:00suddenly found themselves back on level terms

00:09:02and right back in the game.

00:09:05Referee Reynou was counting off the minutes

00:09:07as West Germany launched one last attack.

00:09:09Belgian goalkeeper Pass was Schuster's shot wide for a corner.

00:09:17Schuster couldn't believe he'd missed an open goal.

00:09:21Manager Jupp Durval took it in his stride

00:09:23as Ruminiger took the last corner of the match.

00:09:26Rubesch headed home

00:09:27and West Germany had become the first nation

00:09:30to win the European Championship twice.

00:09:32But there was no hat-trick in France in 1984.

00:09:38The Germans fell at the first hurdle.

00:09:40Instead, it was left to the host, France,

00:09:43and to Spain to contest the final.

00:09:45Jean Tiguinin in midfield began the move

00:09:47which panicked Spain towards defeat.

00:09:50Lacombe was fouled by Spanish defender Salva

00:09:52on the edge of the penalty area.

00:09:56A free kick then to France

00:09:57in an ideal spot for Michel Platini,

00:10:00their captain,

00:10:00and the world's most dangerous free-kick specialist.

00:10:04The power and pace surprised Spain's goalkeeper

00:10:06Luis Arcanada

00:10:07and crept over the goal line

00:10:09before Arcanada could stop it.

00:10:1156 minutes gone, 1-0 to France.

00:10:21It was only with one minute remaining

00:10:23that Bruno Bellon broke away for a second goal

00:10:26which ensured Platini would carry off the cup.

00:10:30The presentation was most appropriate.

00:10:34The European Championship had been created by a Frenchman

00:10:37and launched in France.

00:10:39Now once more back in France,

00:10:41it had been won by the hosts.

00:10:50West Germany played hosts for the first time in 1988,

00:10:53but one of the finest games

00:10:55didn't involve Germany at all,

00:10:56but England against Holland.

00:10:59England got off to a bad start,

00:11:01conceding a goal to Van Basten

00:11:03just before half-time.

00:11:04Peter Beardsley led the fight back

00:11:06and Brian Robson climaxed a move

00:11:08with a brave equaliser.

00:11:10His drive through the Dutch defence

00:11:11was typical of Manchester United

00:11:13and England's captain.

00:11:14England's fans celebrated,

00:11:18but unfortunately, not for long.

00:11:22In the 73rd minute,

00:11:24Van Basten burst back into the game.

00:11:26Now it was a turn of the Dutch fans to celebrate.

00:11:28Next, Holland won a corner on the right.

00:11:35Frank Reichard moved forward

00:11:37to keep the defenders guessing.

00:11:39When it flew over everyone's head,

00:11:40there was Van Basten to complete his hat-trick.

00:11:42Final score, 3-1 to Holland.

00:11:47England manager Bobby Robson

00:11:49and assistant Don Howe

00:11:50were staring elimination in the face.

00:11:54Holland supporters travelled north to Hamburg,

00:11:56confident of victory

00:11:57against hosts West Germany

00:11:59in the semi-finals.

00:12:01The Dutch defence found Jurgen Klinsmann

00:12:03an attacking handful.

00:12:04The score sheet was still blank

00:12:06when he fell over a tackle by Rijka.

00:12:08Penalty.

00:12:12Germany captain Lothar Matthäus

00:12:16prepared to take the kick.

00:12:20Van Reuchelen comes close,

00:12:22but that was no consolation to the Dutch.

00:12:31Holland gritted their teeth

00:12:33and forged back into attack.

00:12:35When Van Basten was tripped by Jurgen Kohler,

00:12:37they had a penalty of their own.

00:12:40All German hopes rested with goalkeeper

00:12:42Eike Imel

00:12:43and a helpful tip from Andy Bremer.

00:12:47Holland's veteran manager,

00:12:48Enos Mikuls,

00:12:49prowled on the touchline.

00:12:50He could only watch with the rest

00:12:51as Ronald Koeman

00:12:52took the kick

00:12:53and gave Imel no chance.

00:13:00Holland were level at 1-1.

00:13:01Mikuls could go back to the trainer's bench.

00:13:04His Dutchmen were back on course.

00:13:07West Germany brought on substitute

00:13:09Pierre Litvarski.

00:13:10His corner was headed off the line

00:13:12with Van Breuchelen beaten.

00:13:15Holland immediately swept downfield.

00:13:17Van Basten opened up the German defence

00:13:20and cracked home the winning goal.

00:13:23For German manager Beckenbauer,

00:13:24it was all over.

00:13:25Holland, not Germany,

00:13:27would go to Munich for the final.

00:13:29He also went there as clear favourites

00:13:31to beat the Soviet Union.

00:13:34Standing in their way was Rinald Asir,

00:13:36probably the finest goalkeeper

00:13:38in the world at the time.

00:13:40Holland, as expected,

00:13:41made the early running.

00:13:43In the 33rd minute,

00:13:44they forced a corner on the right.

00:13:46The Soviet defence failed to clear it.

00:13:49Well, it took decisive advantage

00:13:50to head Holland into the lead.

00:13:53It was his first goal of the finals

00:13:54and probably his most important

00:13:56for his country.

00:13:59After nine minutes of the second half,

00:14:00the Dutchman scored a truly memorable goal.

00:14:03Arnold Muirom provided the cross

00:14:05from the left.

00:14:06Van Basten, positioned beyond the far post,

00:14:09volleyed home for one of the most outstanding goals

00:14:11of this or any other European championships.

00:14:14It was his fifth goal of the finals

00:14:15and would ultimately help him

00:14:17earn him accolade

00:14:18of European footballer of the year.

00:14:20At last, the Soviets came out of their shell.

00:14:27The reward was a penalty

00:14:29as Gotsmanov was brought down

00:14:30by the furious goalkeeper, Van Broecklen.

00:14:42Igor Belenov prepared

00:14:44for the duel with Van Broecklen.

00:14:47Belenov's shot was saved

00:14:48and the Soviets lost hope.

00:14:53When referee Woutra blew the final whistle,

00:14:56the score was still 2-0 to Holland.

00:15:05Pulitz walked out to collect the cup.

00:15:08He had more reason than most

00:15:09for enjoying the walk.

00:15:10A few months earlier,

00:15:12it had appeared doubtful

00:15:13whether he'd ever play again

00:15:14after knee trouble.

00:15:16Leading the new champions

00:15:17to European glory,

00:15:18had once appeared

00:15:19out of the question.

00:15:26Four years later

00:15:27and the turbulence of Munich

00:15:29is exchanged

00:15:30for the tranquillity of Sweden,

00:15:32one of the lands

00:15:33of the midnight sun.

00:15:37Though one of the northernmost

00:15:39European countries

00:15:40where the climate

00:15:41is thought to be unwelcoming,

00:15:43the temperatures reach

00:15:4422 degrees centigrade

00:15:45during the summer months.

00:15:46Sweden is famous for its social integration,

00:15:55the sunshine of summer

00:15:56and a peace

00:15:57which has not been disturbed

00:15:58since the beginning

00:15:59of the last century.

00:16:00a country with a strong manufacturing base

00:16:09in automobiles, textiles and clothing,

00:16:12furniture, fishing and processing.

00:16:17Sweden is renowned for its low crime rates

00:16:20and its strict drinking laws.

00:16:21It's forbidden to purchase alcohol

00:16:23under the age of 20

00:16:25and illegal to drink and drive.

00:16:28Football tourists will find the people friendly

00:16:30and welcoming.

00:16:31It's a country steeped in culture

00:16:39and tradition.

00:16:48The first signs of European championship activity

00:16:51were flying in the wind in January

00:16:53when the draw for the finals

00:16:54was staged at the Congress Centre

00:16:56in Gothenburg.

00:16:57All Europe was there

00:16:58and all Sweden

00:16:59was represented as well.

00:17:16Sweden's rich folk tradition

00:17:18has been blended

00:17:19with a more modern culture

00:17:20represented by Bernie,

00:17:22the European championship mascot,

00:17:24will be found

00:17:25in all the four city venues

00:17:26being used for the finals.

00:17:29Even at this early stage,

00:17:31Sweden's leading players

00:17:32such as Thomas Brolin

00:17:33were helping

00:17:34in the promotional campaign

00:17:36from which not only Gothenburg

00:17:37and Malmo

00:17:38but also No Shopping

00:17:40and Stockholm

00:17:41will gain.

00:17:43The support of major sponsors

00:17:45such as Carlsberg

00:17:46and Coca-Cola

00:17:47helped to guarantee

00:17:48the financial success

00:17:50of the European championships.

00:17:51Eurocard Mastercard

00:17:56is another supporter.

00:17:58Bobby Charlton

00:17:58played host

00:17:59at a lunch

00:17:59for the media

00:18:00on the day of the draw.

00:18:03Franz Beckenbauer

00:18:04was among celebrities present.

00:18:06He knows the European championships

00:18:07inside out

00:18:08both as a player

00:18:09and as a manager.

00:18:12Sweden's own manager

00:18:13Tommy Svensson

00:18:13believes he can put your shirt

00:18:15on the success

00:18:16of the event.

00:18:17But ultimately,

00:18:18this is what it's all about.

00:18:20The Henry Delaunay Trophy.

00:18:22The Henry Delaunay Trophy.

00:18:23The Henry Delaunay Trophy.

00:18:24He sees the world at play

00:18:27His spirit starts to fly

00:18:31Feelings around

00:18:34Feeling is one of the crowd

00:18:38United we stand

00:18:43Everybody we fall

00:18:47A journey shared by everyone

00:18:52Our fathers want to see the sun

00:18:57I've learned to fall

00:19:00Entertainment apart,

00:19:03the serious business

00:19:03of the draw remained.

00:19:05Of the 34 nations

00:19:06who'd entered

00:19:07the qualifying rounds,

00:19:08just eight were left

00:19:09with everything to play for.

00:19:11Football throughout both

00:19:24Eastern and Western Europe

00:19:25is governed by UEFA,

00:19:26the union of European

00:19:27football associations.

00:19:29Traditionally,

00:19:30the best players from Sweden

00:19:31have flown south to Italy,

00:19:33Spain and Germany.

00:19:34Now the European game

00:19:35was heading north

00:19:36to pay homage.

00:19:38Sweden's neighbours,

00:19:39Norway, Denmark and Finland,

00:19:40had all fallen by the wayside

00:19:42in the qualifiers.

00:19:44The Swedish Federation

00:19:45selected four cities

00:19:46to host the finals.

00:19:48Stockholm,

00:19:49Gothenburg,

00:19:50Malmo

00:19:50and North Shopping

00:19:51all possess

00:19:52modern all-seater stadia.

00:19:59Stockholm,

00:20:00the capital of Sweden,

00:20:01has a population

00:20:02of one and a half million.

00:20:04It's a city built

00:20:05on 20 islands

00:20:06and boasts

00:20:06the Houses of Parliament

00:20:07and the Royal Palace.

00:20:09On June 10th,

00:20:10it'll also play host

00:20:11to the opening match

00:20:12of the 1992

00:20:14European Championship Finals,

00:20:16Sweden against France.

00:20:20Sweden's national stadium,

00:20:22the Rosunda,

00:20:23is in the northern suburb

00:20:24of Solna.

00:20:25Its capacity,

00:20:2627,000.

00:20:27This is the headquarters

00:20:28of the Swedish Federation,

00:20:30as well as home

00:20:30of the AIK Club.

00:20:32Over the years,

00:20:33it has played host

00:20:34not only to football,

00:20:35but to world heavyweight

00:20:36boxing matches

00:20:37as well as pop concerts

00:20:38by Simon and Garfunkel,

00:20:40Rod Skewart

00:20:41and the Rolling Stones.

00:20:44Sweden are appearing

00:20:44in the finals

00:20:45of the European Championships

00:20:46for the first time.

00:20:50Manager,

00:20:51Tommy Svensson,

00:20:52was a World Cup

00:20:52midfield player

00:20:53in Mexico in 1970.

00:20:57Anders Limpar

00:20:58is one of Sweden's

00:20:59most dangerous attackers.

00:21:00Born on September 24th,

00:21:021965,

00:21:03he plays in England

00:21:04for Arsenal.

00:21:06Limpar began

00:21:07with the Gothenburg club

00:21:08Ogritte,

00:21:09moved to Switzerland

00:21:10with young boys Bern

00:21:11in 1988,

00:21:12then joined Italians

00:21:13Kremenesi in 1989.

00:21:15They sold Limpar

00:21:16to Arsenal

00:21:17in the summer of 1990.

00:21:22His best game

00:21:23for his country

00:21:23was a 6-0 defeat

00:21:24of Finland

00:21:25in the 1990

00:21:26World Cup qualifiers.

00:21:27Limpar scored one goal

00:21:29and had a hand

00:21:30in all five others.

00:21:36Jonas Tern

00:21:37is Sweden's

00:21:38number one footballer,

00:21:39according to manager Svensson.

00:21:41Born on March 20th,

00:21:421967,

00:21:44he left Malmo

00:21:44in 1990

00:21:45to join the Portuguese

00:21:47club Benfica.

00:21:50Thomas Brolin

00:21:50exploded onto this scene

00:21:52at the last World Cup

00:21:52finals in Italy.

00:21:54Born on November 29th,

00:21:561969,

00:21:57he made his name

00:21:57with Sundsvall

00:21:58and then joined Parma

00:21:59in Italy

00:22:00after the World Cup.

00:22:03A former youth

00:22:04under 21

00:22:05and Olympic international,

00:22:06Brolin had long

00:22:07been considered

00:22:08one of Sweden's

00:22:09outstanding prospects,

00:22:10before proving the point

00:22:11by scoring twice

00:22:12on his debut

00:22:13for the senior team

00:22:14in a 4-2 win

00:22:15against Wales.

00:22:16That was in the spring

00:22:17of 1990.

00:22:19Brolin

00:22:19followed up

00:22:20with two more goals

00:22:20in a 6-0 defeat

00:22:22of Finland,

00:22:23he hasn't looked back.

00:22:28As hosts,

00:22:29Sweden didn't have

00:22:30to qualify for the finals.

00:22:32Instead,

00:22:32manager Svensson

00:22:33had to use matches

00:22:34like this one

00:22:35against the old

00:22:36Soviet Union

00:22:37to prepare his team

00:22:38for the battles ahead.

00:22:39Brolin opened the scoring

00:22:50when the new Soviet goalkeeper,

00:22:52Chichesov,

00:22:53fumbled across

00:22:54by Jonas' turn.

00:22:55It was an ideal start

00:22:56for Sweden.

00:22:57Only four minutes

00:22:58of play had gone

00:22:59and already

00:22:59they'd set up

00:23:00a platform of authority.

00:23:04Manager Svensson

00:23:05could hardly believe it.

00:23:08Sweden continued

00:23:08to attack

00:23:09the Soviet defence.

00:23:10One excellent run

00:23:11ended in a chance

00:23:12of a second goal.

00:23:13Instead,

00:23:14centre-forward

00:23:14Martin Dahlin

00:23:15shot over.

00:23:16Sweden cannot afford

00:23:18to be so wasteful

00:23:19in June.

00:23:21But this was

00:23:22no ordinary friendly.

00:23:24It was a semi-final

00:23:24of a four-team tournament

00:23:26in which the Swedes

00:23:27wanted to test

00:23:28their European champions

00:23:29potential

00:23:29both on

00:23:30and off the field.

00:23:32The slack marking

00:23:33which allowed

00:23:34Sergei Joran

00:23:35to poach an equaliser

00:23:36proved manager

00:23:37Svensson

00:23:38has plenty of work to do.

00:23:41The match went

00:23:42into extra time.

00:23:43At stake

00:23:44was a place

00:23:44in the final

00:23:45against Italy

00:23:46who'd beaten Denmark

00:23:472-0 in Malmo

00:23:48in the other semi-final.

00:23:50Sweden's defence

00:23:51again looked frail.

00:23:53Dmitri Kuznetsov

00:23:54shot the Soviets

00:23:55ahead with a goal

00:23:56which appeared

00:23:56to surprise him

00:23:57as much as

00:23:58goalkeeper Revelli.

00:24:01One major problem

00:24:02for Sweden

00:24:03is successfully

00:24:04blending their mixture

00:24:05of home-based players

00:24:06with the stars

00:24:07recalled match-by-match

00:24:08from clubs

00:24:09in Italy,

00:24:11Germany,

00:24:11Belgium,

00:24:12England

00:24:12and Portugal.

00:24:15As Brolin's equaliser

00:24:16demonstrated,

00:24:17playing abroad

00:24:18has much more

00:24:18than just financial

00:24:19advantages.

00:24:21Life in Italy

00:24:21has sharpened

00:24:22his finishing talents

00:24:23and turned him

00:24:24into a dangerous

00:24:25goal poacher.

00:24:32Extra time

00:24:33can often prove

00:24:34an anti-climax

00:24:35with teams

00:24:36shuffling weary

00:24:37towards the lottery

00:24:38of a penalty shootout.

00:24:39But not this time.

00:24:43With three minutes

00:24:45remaining,

00:24:45Igor Korneev

00:24:46scored what proved

00:24:47to be the winner

00:24:48for the Soviet Union.

00:24:51Sweden,

00:24:52on all the evidence

00:24:53of their preparatory

00:24:53friendlies,

00:24:54must play to their

00:24:55attacking strengths.

00:24:56A victory over

00:24:57Yugoslavia last autumn

00:24:58emphasised that point.

00:25:02Darlene shot Sweden

00:25:03ahead with a goal

00:25:04which showed his ability

00:25:05to take on defenders

00:25:06and hit the target

00:25:07given only the slightest

00:25:09glimpse of a gap.

00:25:15Yugoslavia went

00:25:16into this game

00:25:16without four

00:25:17Croatian players

00:25:18who'd been regular

00:25:19members of their

00:25:20European Championship

00:25:21squad.

00:25:22Yugoslavia has

00:25:23always boasted

00:25:24a remarkable depth

00:25:25of football talent.

00:25:28Savicevic glided

00:25:29through on the right

00:25:30to hit a typically

00:25:31spectacular equaliser

00:25:33beyond Rivelli.

00:25:35In the second half,

00:25:37Sweden looked to

00:25:37Limpar to lead

00:25:38a counter-attack

00:25:39from midfield.

00:25:41They were not

00:25:42disappointed as he

00:25:43restored Sweden's

00:25:442-1 lead.

00:25:47Yugoslavia immediately

00:25:49hit back with an

00:25:50arrow of a free kick

00:25:51from Savicevic.

00:25:54Sweden have a number

00:25:55of outstanding forwards

00:25:56on whom to call

00:25:57including Kenneth

00:25:57Andersen,

00:25:58Stefan Pettersson

00:25:59and Mats Magnussen.

00:26:01So Darlene cannot

00:26:01rest on his laurels

00:26:03if he wants to lead

00:26:04Sweden's attack

00:26:05in the finals.

00:26:10Early this year,

00:26:12Sweden took their

00:26:12home-based players

00:26:13on an international

00:26:14trip to Australia.

00:26:16Svensson hoped to

00:26:17iron out some of

00:26:17the errors which kept

00:26:19Yugoslavia in this

00:26:20game.

00:26:22Michael Nielsen was

00:26:23at fault with an

00:26:24own goal which

00:26:25brought Yugoslavia

00:26:26level yet again

00:26:27at 3-3.

00:26:29Swedish footballer

00:26:30used to be considered

00:26:31more physical than

00:26:32technical but the

00:26:33advent of professionalism

00:26:35and the greatest

00:26:36exposure to international

00:26:37competition has

00:26:38changed all that.

00:26:40Technically, some of

00:26:40Sweden's players now

00:26:42stand comparison with

00:26:43their southern European

00:26:44cousins.

00:26:45Match-winner Tern, for

00:26:47example, has developed

00:26:48his all-round game with

00:26:49the Portuguese club

00:26:50Benfica.

00:26:51Sweden may be new to

00:26:52the finals but they will

00:26:54not be pushovers.

00:26:56France won the European

00:26:58Championship in 1984

00:26:59and were semi-finalists

00:27:01in 1960.

00:27:02Manager Michel Platini

00:27:04was their captain when

00:27:05they won eight years

00:27:06ago.

00:27:09Centre-back Bruno Bolli

00:27:10was actually born on the

00:27:11Ivory Coast on January

00:27:13the 2nd, 1967.

00:27:15He's one of the most

00:27:15exciting of France's new

00:27:17generation of players

00:27:18and has been compared with

00:27:19the outstanding 1970s

00:27:21defender Marius

00:27:22Trezor.

00:27:24Bolli was discovered by

00:27:25Augsair and his ability

00:27:27was one of the major

00:27:28reasons for their rapid

00:27:29rise from obscurity to a

00:27:31league championship

00:27:31challenge.

00:27:33Later he joined Marseille

00:27:34with whom he was a

00:27:35European cap finalist

00:27:36last year.

00:27:46Jean-Pierre Papin is

00:27:47France's top scorer.

00:27:49He's European Footballer

00:27:50of the Year and World

00:27:51Player of the Year

00:27:52too.

00:27:53Born on November the

00:27:545th, 1963, he too plays

00:27:56for the French champions

00:27:57Marseille and has been

00:27:58top marksman in the

00:27:59French league for the

00:28:00past three seasons.

00:28:04Papin began with

00:28:05Valenciennes and was

00:28:07soon whisked away to

00:28:08Belgium by Club Bruges.

00:28:10His goals took Bruges to

00:28:11the championship and then

00:28:13helped France to third

00:28:14place at the 1986 World

00:28:16Cup finals.

00:28:17Monaco wanted him but it

00:28:19was Marseille who won the

00:28:20race and Papin has rewarded

00:28:21them with an avalanche of

00:28:23spectacular goals.

00:28:25Jean-Pierre Papin is the

00:28:26modern French equivalent of

00:28:28Goethe Muller.

00:28:28France won all eight of their

00:28:38matches in qualifying Group 1, a

00:28:40unique achievement.

00:28:41They were matched with Spain,

00:28:42Czechoslovakia, Iceland and

00:28:44Albania.

00:28:45The task was anything but

00:28:46simple.

00:28:47France ran up single goal

00:28:49victories over Albania,

00:28:50Czechoslovakia and Iceland

00:28:51before their first duel with

00:28:53Spain in Paris.

00:28:56Platini looked worried as

00:28:57Spain attacked from the

00:28:59start.

00:29:00It was here in the Parc de

00:29:01France that Spain had lost

00:29:02to France in the final of the

00:29:0484 European Championships.

00:29:06They wanted revenge.

00:29:10When Jose Baquero scored

00:29:11after 11 minutes it appeared

00:29:13manager Luis Suarez might see

00:29:15his dream come true.

00:29:18France might once have been

00:29:19destroyed by such a start but

00:29:21their team spirit is now very

00:29:22different.

00:29:23It took a mere four minutes

00:29:24for the host to equalise

00:29:26after a free kick for a foul

00:29:28on Vahirua.

00:29:29Durand picked out the

00:29:30unmarked Franck-Sorzé and

00:29:32goalkeeper Zuby Zaretta was

00:29:34well beaten.

00:29:38France were Europe's most

00:29:39entertaining national team in

00:29:41the 80s.

00:29:42They reached the World Cup

00:29:43semi-finals in 82 and 86 as

00:29:45well as winning the European

00:29:46title in between.

00:29:48Now that confidence appeared to

00:29:50be flooding back as they laid

00:29:51siege to Spain's goal.

00:30:02France's creative play against

00:30:04Spain began at the back with

00:30:05goalkeeper Bruno Martini and was

00:30:10carried forward by full-back

00:30:11Manuel Amoros, a World Cup

00:30:13veteran.

00:30:13Jean-Pierre Papin provided a

00:30:19typically spectacular finish.

00:30:31The longer the game went on, the

00:30:33more goals France threatened.

00:30:35No wonder Spanish manager Suarez

00:30:36was looking worried.

00:30:38He'd been criticised after Spain's

00:30:40World Cup exit in Italy in 1990.

00:30:42They knew this defeat would spell

00:30:44the sack.

00:30:4713 minutes remained when France

00:30:49wrapped up the points and a 3-1

00:30:51victory.

00:30:51Sweeper Laurent Blanc headed home a

00:30:53decisive goal.

00:30:55Platini said afterwards, on pure

00:30:56skill, Spain had us beaten.

00:30:59We had the will to win.

00:31:02Little went right for Spain after

00:31:04that.

00:31:04As predicted, Suarez was

00:31:05dismissed.

00:31:06The new man was his former

00:31:07assistant, Vincente Miera.

00:31:09But against Iceland in Reykjavik,

00:31:11his reign began with a

00:31:13disappointment, even greater than

00:31:14the defeat in Paris.

00:31:15Orlígson was the local hero as he

00:31:27opened the scoring for the

00:31:28minnows 20 minutes from full time.

00:31:301-0 to Iceland's mixture of amateurs

00:31:33and part-timers.

00:31:34And for Spain, it was worse to come.

00:31:39Spain had not only lost their

00:31:40confidence, but also their cohesion.

00:31:42The defence was at sixes and

00:31:44sevens as Iceland attacked again.

00:31:47Sverissen took advantage to score

00:31:49with 11 minutes remaining.

00:31:51To the delight of the 4,000 crowd,

00:31:53Iceland had humiliated one of

00:31:54Europe's proudest soccer nations.

00:31:58One slim chance remained open to

00:32:00Spain to turn the tables on France

00:32:02when the teams met in Seville in

00:32:04October last year.

00:32:06Spain had never lost in Seville for

00:32:08more than 60 years.

00:32:09This was their fortress worth a goal

00:32:11to them.

00:32:11More secure than Madrid or Barcelona

00:32:13or Valencia.

00:32:15But France weren't impressed.

00:32:16Since beating Spain in Paris,

00:32:18the French had also put five goals

00:32:20past Albania and one in

00:32:22Czechoslovakia.

00:32:23They felt invincible.

00:32:24Louis Fernandes shot France ahead after 13 minutes.

00:32:40Ironically, he'd been born in Spain,

00:32:42moving to France with his family as a child.

00:32:45Spain kept moving forward.

00:32:52Their passing let them down.

00:32:54They couldn't control the ball in defence

00:32:56or midfield.

00:32:57France, less technical but more aggressive

00:32:59than in previous years,

00:33:01refused to let them settle.

00:33:02Spain increased France's lead three minutes later

00:33:08when he darted through the middle

00:33:10and gave Zuby Zaretta no chance

00:33:12with this delicately judged shot.

00:33:14Spain's supporters tried to lift their team.

00:33:34They needed a quick reply.

00:33:35Their French defence, organised by Bolli and Laurent Blanc,

00:33:39stood firm.

00:33:47Platini added a few helpful hints of his own.

00:33:50Spanish manager Miera had put out an experimental side

00:33:55with only three players from Real Madrid

00:33:57and two from Barcelona.

00:33:59There was more tension than teamwork

00:34:01but eventually it paid off.

00:34:09After a free kick out on the right,

00:34:11Abelardo pulled a goal back in the 34th minute.

00:34:14His teammates were delighted

00:34:15but there would be no more goals.

00:34:18The French defence held firm

00:34:20for the remainder of the game.

00:34:26The area could only now plan ahead

00:34:28for the next World Cup.

00:34:31Platini instead was sure

00:34:33of taking his team to Sweden.

00:34:37France, fully in control,

00:34:38began to attack once more.

00:34:40A solid defence and hard-working midfield

00:34:42provided them with an ideal foundation

00:34:45on which to build

00:34:46their European Championship challenge.

00:34:48And in Papin,

00:34:49they possess a player

00:34:50who's earned the apprehension

00:34:52of every defender

00:34:53in European football.

00:35:00At the final whistle,

00:35:01it was the French fans

00:35:02who were celebrating.

00:35:04France would go on

00:35:05to beat Iceland 3-1

00:35:06and finish six points clear

00:35:08of Czechoslovakia.

00:35:09Their place in the finals

00:35:10was never in doubt.

00:35:12France go to Sweden

00:35:14as one of the favourites.

00:35:15The southern city of Malmö

00:35:19stages the second match

00:35:20in the finals,

00:35:21Yugoslavia against England.

00:35:25Malmö stands almost opposite

00:35:26the Danish capital of Copenhagen

00:35:28on the Oderson Channel.

00:35:30Indeed, this city,

00:35:31which now boasts

00:35:31a population of 250,000,

00:35:34was ruled by Denmark

00:35:35until the middle

00:35:36of the 17th century.

00:35:37Like Gottenberg's Ulevi,

00:35:46the Malmö stadium

00:35:47was built for the 1958

00:35:49World Cup finals.

00:35:51A record crowd

00:35:52of 31,000

00:35:53saw Argentina

00:35:54go down to West Germany

00:35:55on the opening day

00:35:56of that tournament.

00:35:58The finals

00:35:58of the European Championships,

00:36:00improvements

00:36:00and redevelopment

00:36:01mean the capacity

00:36:03has been reduced

00:36:04to 26,000.

00:36:13Yugoslavia were European

00:36:14runners-up in 1960

00:36:16and 1968

00:36:17fourth in 76.

00:36:20Evika Ozym

00:36:21is a former

00:36:22international midfield player

00:36:23who took Yugoslavia

00:36:24to the 1990

00:36:25World Cup quarter-finals.

00:36:29Darko Panchev

00:36:30is Yugoslavia's

00:36:31outstanding marksman.

00:36:32Born on September

00:36:33the 7th, 1965

00:36:35he plays for

00:36:36Red Star Belgrade.

00:36:39Panchev made his name

00:36:40initially

00:36:41with Vardas Skopje

00:36:42before transfer

00:36:43to Red Star

00:36:44in 1990.

00:36:46Last season

00:36:46Panchev's 34 goals

00:36:48made him not only

00:36:49the top scorer

00:36:49in Yugoslavia

00:36:50but earned him

00:36:51the golden boot

00:36:52as Europe's

00:36:53top goal scorer.

00:36:55In the European qualifiers

00:36:56he hit hat-tricks

00:36:57against Austria

00:36:58and Northern Ireland.

00:36:59Dejan Savicevic

00:37:04is one of Europe's

00:37:05most coveted

00:37:06young players.

00:37:07Born on September

00:37:08the 15th, 1966

00:37:09Savicevic starred

00:37:11in Red Star Belgrade's

00:37:12victories

00:37:12in the European Cup

00:37:14and the World Club

00:37:15Championship.

00:37:17Group 4 opened

00:37:18with a major surprise.

00:37:20Intriguingly,

00:37:20the venue

00:37:21was Sweden

00:37:21the town of

00:37:22Landskrona

00:37:23where the Faroe Islands

00:37:24in their very first

00:37:25competitive international

00:37:26faced Austria.

00:37:29Torkel Nielsen

00:37:29burst through

00:37:30the Austrian defence

00:37:31to score a goal

00:37:32which made headlines

00:37:33all around the world.

00:37:35The Faroes had to play

00:37:36in Sweden

00:37:36because they had

00:37:37no grass pitch

00:37:38of their own.

00:37:39Clearly,

00:37:40real grass

00:37:40or artificial grass

00:37:42made no difference

00:37:43to them.

00:37:45Only once

00:37:45was the Faroes' defence

00:37:46under pressure.

00:37:47Mobile-hatted goalkeeper

00:37:49Jens Martin Künitsen

00:37:50and his defenders

00:37:51were just about

00:37:52equal to the task.

00:37:54Hundreds of fans

00:37:54had travelled

00:37:55from the Faroe Islands

00:37:56to celebrate

00:37:56with their heroes.

00:37:58Our Austrian skipper

00:37:59Tony Polster

00:38:00must have regretted

00:38:01forecasting

00:38:01a 10-0 victory

00:38:03over the Islanders.

00:38:05Austria had no better luck

00:38:06the next time out

00:38:07against Yugoslavia

00:38:08in Belgrade.

00:38:09Bravely,

00:38:10they forged forward

00:38:11looking to make up

00:38:12for lost points.

00:38:14Andy Ogris

00:38:14made the Yugoslavs

00:38:15pay a heavy price

00:38:17for slack marking

00:38:17as he shot Austria

00:38:19into the lead

00:38:19after a quarter

00:38:20of an hour.

00:38:22Yugoslav football

00:38:23has made a lucrative

00:38:24living over the years

00:38:25selling its best players

00:38:26to Western Europe.

00:38:28Doko Panchev,

00:38:29judging from his

00:38:30finishing talent here,

00:38:31will soon follow

00:38:32down that path.

00:38:34In the meantime,

00:38:34he pulled Yugoslavia

00:38:36back on level terms

00:38:37and snapped

00:38:38Austria's

00:38:39fragile resistance.

00:38:42Manager Osim

00:38:43saluted the goal

00:38:44and sent his men

00:38:46off in search of more.

00:38:47Yugoslavia

00:38:48possessed the skill

00:38:49to probe

00:38:50relentlessly

00:38:51for weaknesses

00:38:51in the opposition's

00:38:53armour.

00:38:55Katanec crossed,

00:38:56but Panchev effort

00:38:57for once

00:38:58was wide.

00:39:03First Yugoslavia

00:39:04pulled Austria wide,

00:39:06now they capitalised

00:39:07on the space

00:39:08available through

00:39:08the middle.

00:39:09Austria's defence

00:39:10was caught flat,

00:39:11their marking

00:39:12hopelessly makeshift.

00:39:13Sreko Katanec

00:39:21having created

00:39:21the first goal

00:39:22headed Yugoslavia's

00:39:23second.

00:39:24A vital strike

00:39:25from the one

00:39:25Slovene in the team.

00:39:29Into the second

00:39:30half now

00:39:30and the outcome

00:39:31was beyond doubt.

00:39:33The question was

00:39:34whether Yugoslavia

00:39:34possessed the

00:39:35killer instinct

00:39:36to force the goals

00:39:37their domination

00:39:38deserved.

00:39:40Panchev,

00:39:41hardly the tallest

00:39:42of centre forwards,

00:39:43heads goal number

00:39:44three.

00:39:45That was his third

00:39:46goal in the

00:39:46qualifying tournament.

00:39:48He'd scored one

00:39:49in Yugoslavia's

00:39:50early victory

00:39:50over Northern Ireland.

00:39:54Austria virtually

00:39:55collapsed.

00:39:56Yugoslavia

00:39:57appeared to be able

00:39:58to score at will.

00:40:00Substitute defender

00:40:01Robert Yarny

00:40:01had created the

00:40:02third goal.

00:40:03Now he laid on

00:40:04yet another.

00:40:05Panchev rose above

00:40:12the Austrian defence

00:40:13again to complete

00:40:14his hat-trick.

00:40:16Yugoslavia had won

00:40:174-1 to pave the

00:40:19way for their most

00:40:19dangerous rivals,

00:40:21Denmark.

00:40:21In the mid-80s,

00:40:31Denmark,

00:40:31with their face-painted

00:40:32fans and their

00:40:33Danish dynamite football,

00:40:35had thrilled Europe.

00:40:37Inevitably,

00:40:37that team had now

00:40:38broken up.

00:40:39But it was still

00:40:40not wise to give

00:40:41Denmark too much

00:40:42space around the

00:40:42penalty area.

00:40:43Proving their point

00:40:44was Michael Laudrup,

00:40:45now playing in Spain

00:40:46with Barcelona,

00:40:47after years in Italy

00:40:49with Juventus.

00:40:49Denmark kept up

00:40:57the pressure.

00:40:58They laid siege to

00:40:59Yugoslavia's penalty

00:41:00area and might have

00:41:01opened the scoring

00:41:02through midfielder

00:41:03Jan Bartram.

00:41:11Instead,

00:41:11his drive forced

00:41:12a brilliant save

00:41:13from Yugoslav goalkeeper

00:41:14Tomislav Ivkovic.

00:41:17Ossin was constantly

00:41:18jumping from the bench

00:41:19to shout advice.

00:41:22Yugoslavia survived.

00:41:24Star players such as

00:41:25Stojkiewicz,

00:41:26Krožinecki,

00:41:27Savicevic,

00:41:28all absent,

00:41:29all injured.

00:41:30But they continued

00:41:31to defy every

00:41:32Danish raid

00:41:33before launching

00:41:34a brilliant counter-attack

00:41:35of their own

00:41:36through veteran

00:41:37Susic.

00:41:37Basdarevic.

00:41:38Basdarevic drove home

00:41:51the first goal

00:41:52of the match

00:41:52after 77 minutes.

00:41:54His strikes

00:41:55spark the sort

00:41:56of celebrations

00:41:56which are supposed

00:41:57to earn players

00:41:58yellow cards

00:41:59these days.

00:42:00never mind paint

00:42:05on the face

00:42:06the writing

00:42:06was on the wall

00:42:07now for Denmark.

00:42:09Yugoslavia

00:42:09had produced

00:42:10a magnificent goal

00:42:11out of nowhere.

00:42:12Goalkeeper

00:42:13Schmeichel

00:42:13stood no chance.

00:42:18Denmark

00:42:19threw themselves

00:42:19forward in desperation

00:42:20and were even more

00:42:22widely exposed

00:42:23at the back

00:42:23to a counter-attack

00:42:24led by veteran

00:42:26Vojevic.

00:42:29Robert Yarny

00:42:30dived in at the

00:42:31far post

00:42:31to head goal

00:42:32number two.

00:42:33Three matches

00:42:33had brought

00:42:34Yugoslavia

00:42:34three wins.

00:42:36Already they were

00:42:36being talked of

00:42:37as title favourites.

00:42:45By the time

00:42:46Yugoslavia

00:42:47approached their

00:42:47last game

00:42:48away to Austria

00:42:49in Vienna

00:42:49a great deal

00:42:50had changed.

00:42:51The political

00:42:52crisis in Yugoslavia

00:42:53had cast a giant

00:42:54shadow over

00:42:55the national football

00:42:56team.

00:42:57Vladan Lukic

00:42:58scored an

00:42:58early important

00:42:59goal.

00:43:00If Yugoslavia

00:43:00lost and Denmark

00:43:02playing Northern

00:43:03Ireland won

00:43:03then Yugoslavia

00:43:05would be eliminated.

00:43:06Victory was

00:43:06essential.

00:43:17Six minutes

00:43:18before half-time

00:43:19the Slavs

00:43:20attacked again.

00:43:27Panchev's cross

00:43:28from the left

00:43:28was cleared.

00:43:29There appeared

00:43:30no danger

00:43:30as Herbert Garja

00:43:31hit a back

00:43:32pass towards

00:43:33Knala.

00:43:35Unfortunately

00:43:36he'd fail to

00:43:37notice Savicevic

00:43:38trailing yards

00:43:39behind play.

00:43:40His goal

00:43:40earned a 2-0 win

00:43:42and secured

00:43:43Yugoslavia's

00:43:43place in the

00:43:44finals.

00:43:45Yugoslavia have

00:43:48the talent to

00:43:48succeed

00:43:49but do they

00:43:50have the

00:43:50spirit?

00:43:52England's best

00:43:53placing at the

00:43:54European Championships

00:43:55was third in

00:43:561968.

00:43:57Graham Taylor

00:44:00succeeded Bobby

00:44:01Robson as

00:44:01manager after the

00:44:021990 World Cup.

00:44:03David Platt

00:44:07born on

00:44:08the 10th of June

00:44:091965

00:44:10was originally a

00:44:11teenage apprentice

00:44:11with Manchester United.

00:44:13They thought he

00:44:14wouldn't make the

00:44:14grade and gave him

00:44:15away to

00:44:16crew Alexandra.

00:44:17In February

00:44:181988

00:44:18Aston Villa

00:44:19bought him

00:44:20what now appears

00:44:21to be a bargain

00:44:21£200,000.

00:44:25He became an

00:44:27international superstar

00:44:28during the 1990

00:44:29World Cup finals

00:44:30scoring England's

00:44:31Lascais winner

00:44:32against Belgium

00:44:33then the first

00:44:34quarterfinal goal

00:44:35against Cameroon

00:44:36and the consolation

00:44:37goal in the

00:44:38third place defeat

00:44:39by Italy.

00:44:40But his success

00:44:41at Italia 90

00:44:42drew a £5.5

00:44:44million bid from

00:44:45Bari

00:44:45which Villa

00:44:46just couldn't

00:44:47refuse.

00:44:48He's considered

00:44:48to be a certain

00:44:49future England

00:44:50captain.

00:44:58Gary Lineker

00:44:59is one of the

00:45:00world's most

00:45:00famous footballers

00:45:01most deadly

00:45:02goal scorers

00:45:03and one of the

00:45:03game's finest

00:45:04sportsmen.

00:45:05Born on

00:45:06November 30

00:45:061960

00:45:07he could well

00:45:08overtake Bobby

00:45:09Charlton's record

00:45:10of 49 goals

00:45:11for England.

00:45:13Lineker began

00:45:13with Leicester City

00:45:14and became the

00:45:15football league's

00:45:16leading marksman

00:45:17with Everton.

00:45:18next he won the

00:45:20golden boot

00:45:20as six-goal

00:45:21top scorer

00:45:22in the 1986

00:45:23World Cup

00:45:24Finals.

00:45:26He makes no

00:45:27secret of his

00:45:28intention to

00:45:28retire from

00:45:29international football

00:45:30after these

00:45:31European Championship

00:45:32Finals.

00:45:36England opened

00:45:37their qualifying

00:45:37campaign against

00:45:38Poland at Wembley

00:45:39in October 1990.

00:45:41The newfound

00:45:42heroes from the

00:45:43World Cup

00:45:43such as

00:45:44Platt and

00:45:44Paul Gascoigne

00:45:45exerted the

00:45:46first-half

00:45:46pressure.

00:45:57The rugged

00:45:58power in the

00:45:59air of

00:45:59Steve Ball

00:46:00forced Polish

00:46:01goalkeeper

00:46:01Bako into

00:46:02conceding a

00:46:03corner on the

00:46:03near side.

00:46:04Gascoigne's

00:46:11corner was

00:46:11headed on

00:46:12and Mark

00:46:13Wright's

00:46:13follow-up was

00:46:14handled on the

00:46:15goal line.

00:46:16Six minutes

00:46:17before half-time

00:46:18and England

00:46:19had a penalty.

00:46:20Gary Lineker

00:46:25had scored two

00:46:26decisive penalties

00:46:27against Cameroon

00:46:28in the World Cup

00:46:29quarter-finals.

00:46:31Once more he was

00:46:32on target,

00:46:33moving ever

00:46:33closer to

00:46:34Bobby Charlton's

00:46:35record.

00:46:40Taylors England

00:46:41were at last

00:46:42on their way.

00:46:47John Barnes is

00:46:48often an enigmatic

00:46:49player for his

00:46:50country, but he

00:46:51appeared to be

00:46:52responding to the

00:46:52appointment as

00:46:53manager of his

00:46:54one-time Watford

00:46:55boss.

00:46:56When Des Walker

00:46:57joined the

00:46:57attack, Barnes

00:46:58took over to

00:46:59force a fine

00:47:00stop from the

00:47:01goalkeeper.

00:47:02Poland cleared

00:47:03with difficulty.

00:47:07Liverpool's

00:47:08favourite was

00:47:09looking a

00:47:09world-class

00:47:10player.

00:47:13England

00:47:13extended their

00:47:14lead with one

00:47:15minute to go.

00:47:16Lee Dixon saw

00:47:17a gap open up,

00:47:18then released

00:47:19Peter Beardsley

00:47:20who surprised

00:47:21the goalkeeper

00:47:21with a swerving

00:47:22shot to the

00:47:23near post.

00:47:25Beardsley had

00:47:26been a European

00:47:26championship

00:47:27regular four

00:47:28years ago.

00:47:29Now he was only

00:47:30among the

00:47:30substitutes, but a

00:47:31very useful one to

00:47:32bring off the

00:47:33bench in an

00:47:34emergency.

00:47:34results in this

00:47:42group were

00:47:43predictable.

00:47:44England and the

00:47:45Irish Republic led

00:47:45the way, Poland

00:47:47struggled to keep

00:47:48up.

00:47:48In the closing

00:47:49weeks, Poland

00:47:50narrowed the gap.

00:47:51In Poznan, they

00:47:52staged a lively

00:47:53second-half recovery

00:47:54against the Republic

00:47:55of Ireland after

00:47:56going 3-1 down.

00:47:58A hopeful drive

00:47:59from Urban caught

00:48:00goalkeeper Bonner by

00:48:01surprise, and Jan

00:48:02Furtok took home

00:48:03Poland's second goal.

00:48:08Only four minutes

00:48:10remained when Poland

00:48:11gathered themselves for

00:48:12one last push.

00:48:14Republic of Ireland

00:48:15were desperately

00:48:15defending their 3-2

00:48:17lead.

00:48:18It did them little

00:48:18good as midfielder

00:48:19Urban dived in to

00:48:21head a spectacular

00:48:22equaliser.

00:48:23The luck of the

00:48:27Irish had deserted

00:48:29Pat Bonner and

00:48:30his team.

00:48:32The manager, Jack

00:48:32Charlton, had seen

00:48:33it all before.

00:48:37A month later,

00:48:38England followed the

00:48:39Republic of Ireland

00:48:40to Poland.

00:48:41A draw or a victory

00:48:42would take them to

00:48:43the finals.

00:48:44Defeat would let in

00:48:45the polls.

00:48:46This somehow survived

00:48:47a chance to England

00:48:48newcomer Andy Gray.

00:48:50This shot buried

00:48:51itself into the side

00:48:52netting in

00:48:53instead of providing

00:48:54England with the

00:48:55lead.

00:48:5832 minutes in,

00:49:00and against the

00:49:00run of play,

00:49:01Poland scored.

00:49:02A controversial

00:49:03free kick was

00:49:03awarded in midfield.

00:49:14Roman Suarczyk took

00:49:15it, and the ball

00:49:16deflects off Gary

00:49:17Mabot and skids

00:49:18inside the left-hand

00:49:20post.

00:49:20Suarczyk was

00:49:23delighted.

00:49:24The fact that it

00:49:24owed just about

00:49:25everything to the

00:49:26luckless Mabot

00:49:27didn't matter.

00:49:30Taylor knew the

00:49:31significance of the

00:49:32goal.

00:49:33It meant Poland

00:49:33were for the time

00:49:34being top of the

00:49:35group.

00:49:36For 45 minutes,

00:49:37Poland clung on to

00:49:38their lead.

00:49:40England's strength

00:49:41and spirit are envied

00:49:42by every other

00:49:43footballing nation.

00:49:47They attacked again,

00:49:48but this time

00:49:48Geoff Thomas was

00:49:49narrowly wide.

00:49:58Arsenal's David

00:49:59Rowe-Castle was the

00:50:00next player to try his

00:50:01luck.

00:50:02Again, Poland

00:50:03survived.

00:50:03This time it was

00:50:05full-back Srapacek who

00:50:07cleared for a corner.

00:50:10Andy Sinton, another

00:50:12new cap, took the

00:50:13corner on the right-hand

00:50:14side.

00:50:17Flatt gained possession

00:50:19and panicked the

00:50:19goalkeeper, but Mabot's

00:50:21header dropped just over

00:50:23the crossbar rather than

00:50:24beneath it.

00:50:35Poland having

00:50:36weathered the storm began

00:50:37to create attacks of

00:50:38their own.

00:50:39This second-half raid

00:50:41nearly ended in a

00:50:42second goal for Poland

00:50:43when Kozetski tumbled

00:50:45along with goalkeeper

00:50:46Chris Woods.

00:50:47Fortunately, referee

00:50:48Forstinger stood firm

00:50:50and waved away the

00:50:51protesting polls.

00:50:53Television replays

00:50:54didn't convince the

00:50:55polls, but it was the

00:50:56Austrian referee's

00:50:57verdict which mattered.

00:51:04Time was running out

00:51:05when England forced yet

00:51:06another corner on the

00:51:07right.

00:51:14Rowe-Castle took it.

00:51:17Mabot headed on.

00:51:19And it was Lineker who

00:51:20volleyed into the net

00:51:21from two yards.

00:51:2212 minutes remained.

00:51:27England had beaten

00:51:28Poland on their way to

00:51:29the 1990 World Cup

00:51:31Finals.

00:51:32Now they'd pit them for

00:51:33a place in Sweden.

00:51:38England have an

00:51:39excellent chance of

00:51:40making amends for their

00:51:41disappointment in 1988.

00:51:43The battle for supremacy in

00:51:47group two begins in

00:51:48Gothenburg with a meeting

00:51:49between Holland and

00:51:50Scotland.

00:51:52Gothenburg's prosperity was

00:51:53built on its port and that

00:51:55makes it an appropriate

00:51:56choice as unofficial capital

00:51:57of the 1992 European

00:51:59Championships, welcoming fans,

00:52:02officials, media and players

00:52:03from all over Europe.

00:52:04The Ulevi Stadium has seen three

00:52:08previous European finals, two

00:52:10in the UEFA Cup involving the

00:52:12home club IFK Gothenburg and

00:52:14one in the Cup Winners' Cup when

00:52:15Real Madrid lost in extra time to

00:52:18Aberdeen in 1983.

00:52:19This was also the stage for

00:52:22Sweden's first women's soccer

00:52:23international against England in

00:52:251975.

00:52:27Present capacity is 35,000.

00:52:35Holland, Europe's defending

00:52:37champions, also finished third

00:52:39back in 1976.

00:52:40Renes Miekels took Holland to the

00:52:4374 World Cup final and to

00:52:46European success in 88.

00:52:49Dutch captain Ruud Hullert has

00:52:50won almost every prize in the

00:52:52game.

00:52:53Born on September the 1st, 1962,

00:52:56he's carried off awards as

00:52:57European Football of the Year and

00:52:59World Player of the Year as well.

00:53:01Twice he inspired his Italian

00:53:02club Milan to victory in the

00:53:04European Champions Cup, but his

00:53:06crowning achievement was leading

00:53:07Holland to glory in the 88

00:53:09European Championship.

00:53:11Marco van Basten has been

00:53:13Hullert's striking partner with

00:53:14both Holland and Milan for the

00:53:16past five years.

00:53:18Van Basten was a teenage goal

00:53:20grabbing superstar with Ajax of

00:53:22Amsterdam before moving to

00:53:23Italy.

00:53:27He scored five goals in Holland's

00:53:29European triumph of 88 and

00:53:31claimed another eight in the

00:53:32qualifiers this time around.

00:53:37In qualifying group six, Holland

00:53:39made a bad start, losing one

00:53:40one-nil away to Portugal.

00:53:41They soon found their international

00:53:43feat against Greece back home in

00:53:45Rotterdam.

00:53:47Dennis Bergkamp headed Holland in front

00:53:49after seven minutes.

00:53:51This goal enhanced the reputation who

00:53:52was building at Ajax of Amsterdam.

00:53:55Dutch fans had little to celebrate at international level until the late 1960s and early

00:54:0270s.

00:54:02Then both Feyenoord and Ajax both won the World Club Championship and European Cups.

00:54:08They also developed a wonderful new style known as Total Football.

00:54:11Their stars then, Johan Cruyff, Johan Nieskens and Rudy Kroll.

00:54:16Jan Voters is a player of pace and strength whose understanding with Van Basten is almost telepathic.

00:54:25The pair had been team mates at Ajax before Van Basten moved to Italy.

00:54:32But successful old habits die hard, particularly when European Championship points are at stake.

00:54:38In December 1990, Holland travelled to Malta.

00:54:49They expected a tight and scrappy match.

00:54:52Instead, they witnessed a remarkable display of football from Van Basten.

00:54:559 minutes gone, 1-0 to Holland, 1 goal to Van Basten.

00:55:0620 minutes in, this is Holland's second goal coming up.

00:55:10Also a second for Van Basten.

00:55:18Midway through the first half now and an even more spectacular strike.

00:55:23As well as Van Basten's hatchery.

00:55:243-0 to Holland at half-time.

00:55:33Van Basten modestly decided to share his good fortune in the second half.

00:55:38Pulit broke down the right and this time it was Aron Winter who headed home.

00:55:47Now another name on the score sheet.

00:55:50Van Basten proves he can make goals as well as score them.

00:55:53His successor at Ajax, Bergkamp, finishes in style.

00:56:02The shadows lengthened across the pitch.

00:56:05There was no rest in sight for Malta.

00:56:07Van Basten stretches out a leg for his fourth goal of the match.

00:56:11Malta's defenders had now lost contact with the game and with the men they were supposed to be marking.

00:56:24Even goalkeeper Kluitt was lured out of position by Van Basten so Bergkamp could stretch Holland's lead to 7-0.

00:56:31Key men such as Van Basten and Hullet had learned in Italy how to blend skill and style with sheer ruthlessness.

00:56:42There was no letter for Malta.

00:56:47When Malta conceded a penalty, Van Basten wanted to take it.

00:56:51For the first time, Van Basten had scored five goals in an international match.

00:57:15Holland won 8-0 to go top of the group.

00:57:17They would not be dislodged.

00:57:22Hullet and his men had waited a long time for a chance of revenge.

00:57:25They had lost their opening match in Portugal.

00:57:28Now Portugal were the visitors to the final stadium in Rotterdam.

00:57:32Meekles defied the reign.

00:57:34So did a crowd of 50,000 for a match which meant the winner takes all.

00:57:39Either Holland would go through to qualify for the finals or Portugal.

00:57:44It was as simple as that.

00:57:45The odds favoured Holland.

00:57:47It took some desperate phase from young Portuguese goalkeeper Vita Bayer to keep them at bay.

00:57:53Hullet playing wide on the right tormented the Portuguese defence.

00:57:57The visitors were grateful to kick the ball anywhere, to deny the deadly duo of Van Basten and Bergkamp.

00:58:08Meekles watched impassively from the bench as Portugal battled to keep out Holland.

00:58:13Van Basten this time was given no space in which to manoeuvre.

00:58:17The breakthrough had to come.

00:58:32Frank Reichardt, whose self-imposed international retirement was at an end, had a hand in the vital move.

00:58:41Richard Vitschke's shot proved unstoppable, even for Vita Bayer.

00:58:47Holland has given the international game some marvellous players.

00:58:52In the 40s, Leinstra.

00:58:54In the 50s, Vildes.

00:58:55In the 60s, Moulin.

00:58:57In the 70s came Cruyff, Niskin, Kroll, Robbie Rensenbry and Johnny Reff.

00:59:02Yet not achieved the success in the famous orange shirts,

00:59:05Richard Foll and Hullet, Van Basten, Rijkaard and Ronald Koeman.

00:59:17Four years ago, they'd won Holland's first major title.

00:59:24After finishing two points clear of Portugal in their group,

00:59:28after scoring 17 goals and conceding only two in eight games,

00:59:32Holland had served notice.

00:59:34They would not easily relinquish their European crown.

00:59:37Scotland are appearing in the European finals for the first time.

00:59:46Coach Andy Roxburgh has been in charge ever since Scotland's return from Mexico in 86.

00:59:54Ali McCoyst is Scotland's number one striker.

00:59:57He plays for Rangers.

00:59:58McCoyst has not had the best of luck with injuries,

01:00:01yet remains in a goal-scoring class of his own.

01:00:03McCoyst began with St. Johnson

01:00:10and had two goal-starved seasons in England with Sunderland,

01:00:14then returned to form after joining Rangers back in 83.

01:00:18Earlier this season, against Hearts,

01:00:20McCoyst scored his 169th Scottish League goal,

01:00:24a post-war record.

01:00:30Qualifying Group 2 always looked wide open,

01:00:32featuring Scotland and Romania,

01:00:35both 1990 World Cup finalists,

01:00:37as well as Bulgaria and Switzerland.

01:00:42The statutory minnows were San Marino,

01:00:45making their international debut.

01:00:46Switzerland appeared destined for an early dismissal

01:01:01when they faced Bulgaria in Sofia.

01:01:04Only 11 minutes had gone when some poor defending at a free kick

01:01:07allowed Bulgaria's Emil Kostadinov to snatch a scrappy opening goal.

01:01:12The long round-trip from Portugal,

01:01:14where he plays his club football,

01:01:16was proving well worthwhile for Kostadinov.

01:01:22The second goal arrived after 25 minutes.

01:01:25Again, the Swiss defence was all at sea.

01:01:28Again, Bulgaria scored,

01:01:30this time through World Cup veteran,

01:01:32Sir Ako.

01:01:32Switzerland manager Uli Stilicke,

01:01:38an outstanding sweeper in his heyday with West Germany,

01:01:41must have wished he could still play himself,

01:01:43as Bulgaria nearly scored twice more

01:01:45in the opening minutes of the second half.

01:01:50Bulgaria's fans were delighted by the football they were watching.

01:01:53Their national team had earned a reputation

01:01:55as one of the most dow and defensive anywhere in Europe.

01:01:59To see Sirachov, Kostadinov and Penev putting on the style was a rare treat.

01:02:05They should have finished off the Swiss, but they didn't,

01:02:09and in a reversal of fortunes,

01:02:10paid a heavy penalty for misses like this.

01:02:13Nearly an hour gone now,

01:02:27and Switzerland launched their first attack of any real note.

01:02:30A long shot by veteran midfielder Heinz Hermann,

01:02:33surprise goalkeeper Mikhailov,

01:02:36and Adrian Knupp drove home the loose ball.

01:02:38Two minutes from full time, Switzerland attacked again,

01:02:44Bonvin killed a free kick,

01:02:46and Knupp rose to head the equaliser.

01:02:49The Bulgarian defenders stood in disbelief,

01:02:52as their fans, who'd been encouraging them early on,

01:02:54began to whistle and jeer.

01:03:00Stung by the injustice of it all,

01:03:02Bulgaria threw everyone forward.

01:03:05The tactic misfired.

01:03:06Switzerland thumped the ball at field,

01:03:08and Tuchilmaz accelerated half the length of the field

01:03:11to score the winner for Switzerland.

01:03:20Predictably, the scorer was drowned in congratulations.

01:03:27Four months later, Scotland came to burn.

01:03:30It was Switzerland's turn to allow victory to slip through their grasp.

01:03:34One of the biggest crowds to follow the national team in years turned out.

01:03:39They saw Switzerland embarrass the Scottish defence,

01:03:42time and again,

01:03:43to Knupp and Alan Suter.

01:03:45But goals were slow in coming.

01:03:54After half an hour,

01:03:55Switzerland finally prized Scotland apart.

01:03:58Stéphane Chapuisat shot past goalkeeper Andy Gorham.

01:04:08Switzerland, playing their finest football in years,

01:04:11pushed the Scottish defence close to the point of panic.

01:04:14Tuchilmaz, the hero in Bulgaria, forced a corner.

01:04:19Stilicke was back on the bench.

01:04:20He'd been banned by UEFA after losing his temper with the referee

01:04:24in the first game with Scotland at Hampden Park.

01:04:27But he couldn't sit still as Switzerland increased their lead

01:04:30through this header from Skipper Herman.

01:04:35Roxburgh, Scotland have a rare ability to surprise

01:04:38even their most loyal followers.

01:04:40Two minutes into the second half,

01:04:42they pull a goal back through Gordon Dury.

01:04:43This time it was Switzerland's turn

01:04:47to forget about marking their opponents.

01:04:56The Tartan army in the stands

01:04:58was suddenly getting behind their team.

01:05:01With seven minutes left,

01:05:02Switzerland's defensive concentration went walkabout.

01:05:05A poor header gave Scotland possession

01:05:07and a mistake by goalkeeper Huber

01:05:09presented McCoyst with that chance.

01:05:11It was his ninth goal for his country.

01:05:13The group ended in mathematical confusion.

01:05:33Scotland's last match was against San Marino.

01:05:36They needed as many goals as possible

01:05:37in case Switzerland or Romania or Bulgaria

01:05:41pulled level on points.

01:05:42Ten minutes had gone when Paul McStay made it 1-0.

01:05:47All the pressure came from Scotland.

01:05:49San Marino had one aim to keep the scoreline down.

01:05:53But they conceded corner after corner.

01:05:58Scotland responded by pushing everyone forward.

01:06:00And from this corner, Richard Goff heads a second goal.

01:06:13On the rare occasions when San Marino moved a few yards

01:06:16outside their penalty area,

01:06:18they appeared to enjoy prodding the ball around.

01:06:21When they lost possession,

01:06:23they were punished by Gordon Dury.

01:06:25Scotland might have scored nine or ten goals,

01:06:35but luck wasn't with them,

01:06:37although this was to prove their biggest win

01:06:39under Roxburgh's management.

01:06:41In the event,

01:06:42they had to be satisfied with just four.

01:06:45McStay created the last goal for McCoyst.

01:06:53A week later,

01:06:54when Romania failed to beat Bulgaria,

01:06:56this goal proved the final key to qualification.

01:07:00Scotland finished just a point clear

01:07:01of both Switzerland and Romania.

01:07:06Scotland are overdue success

01:07:08at a major international championships.

01:07:11The last match of the opening group two game

01:07:14is in Norshoping,

01:07:15between the Commonwealth of Independent States

01:07:17and Germany.

01:07:20Norshoping is an industrial seaport

01:07:22on an inlet of the Baltic Sea

01:07:23some 100 miles southwest of Stockholm.

01:07:27The population is around 120,000,

01:07:29and the local industry produces paper, textiles,

01:07:32and radio and television sets.

01:07:34The Idrotz Park is the smallest of the four venues,

01:07:40with a capacity of only 17,000.

01:07:42It's also the oldest ground,

01:07:44dating back to 1903.

01:07:48The old Soviet Union

01:07:49won the European Championship in 1960,

01:07:52and were runners-up three times.

01:07:54Manager Anatoly Bischovets

01:07:56steered the Soviet Union

01:07:57to Olympic gold in Seoul in 1988.

01:07:59Alexei Mikhailchenko is the best

01:08:04all-round forward

01:08:05available to the CIS.

01:08:07He's one of the best in Europe.

01:08:08He plays for Glasgow Rangers,

01:08:10who paid a Scottish record

01:08:11£2 million

01:08:12to buy him last summer

01:08:13from Sampdoria of Italy.

01:08:19Mikhailchenko made his name

01:08:20with Dynamo Kiev.

01:08:22Recognition from the Soviet Union

01:08:23arrived against East Germany in 1987.

01:08:26A year later,

01:08:27he was starting

01:08:27in the European Championship Finals

01:08:29in West Germany.

01:08:33Injury forced Mikhailchenko

01:08:35to miss the 1990 World Cup.

01:08:37All the more reason for him

01:08:38to shine in Sweden.

01:08:47When the Soviet Union

01:08:49opened their qualifying campaign

01:08:50against Norway in Moscow

01:08:51in September 1990,

01:08:53no one could have dreamed

01:08:54of the political confusion

01:08:56which lay ahead.

01:08:58As Mikhailchenko and his teammates

01:09:00chased goals and points,

01:09:01so their country

01:09:02was about to disintegrate.

01:09:11It took just 22 minutes

01:09:13of constant pressure

01:09:14to record the first goal

01:09:16in Group 3.

01:09:17After Oleg Protasev

01:09:19shot against the post,

01:09:20Andrei Konchelskis

01:09:21was in the right place

01:09:22at the right time

01:09:23to shoot beyond goalkeeper

01:09:24Torsevet.

01:09:33This was Bischovets'

01:09:35first game in charge.

01:09:36He'd succeeded

01:09:37Valery Labanovsky

01:09:38after the Soviets' failure

01:09:39at the 1990 World Cup.

01:09:42Bischovets dropped many

01:09:43of the exiled

01:09:44former Kiev players

01:09:45who'd formed the team's

01:09:46backbone for so long.

01:09:48But it was one of the survivors

01:09:49sent to back,

01:09:50Oleg Kuznetsov,

01:09:51who headed home

01:09:52Dobrovolsky's cross

01:09:53for goal number two.

01:09:59Kuznetsov too

01:10:00would soon be joining

01:10:01the band of exiles

01:10:02by transferring

01:10:03to Glasgow Rangers

01:10:04of Scotland.

01:10:07The Soviets

01:10:08had begun with a victory

01:10:09and never lost

01:10:10the group leadership.

01:10:12They drew away

01:10:12to Italy,

01:10:13won in Hungary

01:10:14and Norway,

01:10:15and put four goals

01:10:15past Cyprus

01:10:16in Moscow.

01:10:19The key match

01:10:20was the return

01:10:21with the Italians

01:10:21in front of a 92,000 crowd

01:10:23in what used to be known

01:10:25as a Lenin stadium.

01:10:26Only luck

01:10:27and the reflexes

01:10:28of Walter's anger

01:10:29kept Italy in the game.

01:10:31The Soviets knew

01:10:32a draw would be enough.

01:10:33Italy, on the other hand,

01:10:34had to win

01:10:35to retain any hope

01:10:36of overtaking them

01:10:37on the road to Sweden.

01:10:45Italy's manager,

01:10:46Azzelio Vicini,

01:10:47also needed victory

01:10:48to retain any hope

01:10:49of holding on

01:10:50to his job.

01:10:51It was an open secret

01:10:52that Arrigo Sacchi,

01:10:53former European Cup

01:10:54winning manager

01:10:55of Milan,

01:10:56was waiting

01:10:57in the wings.

01:11:00Italy reverted

01:11:01to their old tricks,

01:11:02sitting back

01:11:03in defence,

01:11:04soaking up pressure

01:11:05and waiting

01:11:05to counter-attack.

01:11:10Bischovets

01:11:11was growing impatient.

01:11:15With time running out

01:11:16at the end

01:11:17of the first half,

01:11:18Gianluca Viali

01:11:19organised

01:11:20an Italian raid.

01:11:26Left-back Maldini

01:11:27joined his forwards

01:11:28in pursuit

01:11:29of the elusive goal.

01:11:31But Giannini's shot

01:11:32on the turn

01:11:32sailed hopelessly wide.

01:11:35Zenger at the other end

01:11:37could hardly watch.

01:11:40The crowd were urging

01:11:41Swiss referee

01:11:42Bruno Galla

01:11:43to blow his

01:11:44half-time whistle

01:11:44when Italy tried

01:11:46one more attacking surge.

01:11:49Ripper's shot

01:11:49from the edge

01:11:50of the penalty area

01:11:50was only parried

01:11:51by goalkeeper

01:11:52Chichesov,

01:11:53but Rizzitelli

01:11:54following up

01:11:55slipped at the vital moment.

01:11:57The chance was gone.

01:12:01The Soviet fans

01:12:02forgot the problems

01:12:03of daily life

01:12:04as they enjoyed

01:12:05the drama unfolding

01:12:06before them.

01:12:08But Bicini

01:12:08wasn't enjoying it.

01:12:10Even his legendary

01:12:10patience

01:12:11was wearing thin.

01:12:13Free kick

01:12:13by Lentini

01:12:14on the right

01:12:15was headed

01:12:15inches wide

01:12:16by Rizzitelli.

01:12:17Chichesov

01:12:18could breathe again.

01:12:18Now it was

01:12:29Bischov's turn

01:12:30to worry.

01:12:30But the Soviets

01:12:33press forward.

01:12:36Kulkov starts

01:12:36this run

01:12:37down the left-hand side.

01:12:41Chichesov

01:12:42picks up the ball

01:12:42inside Italy's half

01:12:44and then continues

01:12:45his run.

01:12:47But Zenger

01:12:47produces

01:12:48a marvellous save.

01:12:54Bicini

01:12:54shouted himself

01:12:55horse

01:12:56urging Italy

01:12:56back into attack.

01:12:58There was no time

01:12:58to lose.

01:13:01Kripa crossed.

01:13:03Giannini

01:13:04flicked on

01:13:04and Rizzitelli's

01:13:06shot hit the post.

01:13:13Poor Rizzitelli.

01:13:15The Roma forward

01:13:15could not understand

01:13:16what was happening.

01:13:17He had the ball

01:13:18at his feet

01:13:18and an open goal

01:13:19at his mercy.

01:13:20The Soviet Union

01:13:23took possession

01:13:23for the last few

01:13:24seconds of the match.

01:13:25They would need

01:13:26a victory in Cyprus

01:13:27just to confirm

01:13:28their hold on the group.

01:13:30If they would win

01:13:30that easy enough

01:13:313-0

01:13:32the greatest threat

01:13:33to their presence

01:13:33in Sweden

01:13:34would be political.

01:13:35The fragmentation

01:13:36of the old Soviet Union

01:13:38would mean a new name

01:13:39the Commonwealth

01:13:40of Independent States

01:13:41and the setting up

01:13:42of a new football federation

01:13:43and an uncertain future.

01:13:45Referee Gala's

01:13:56final whistle

01:13:57signalled a goalless draw

01:13:58which was a moral victory

01:14:00for the hosts.

01:14:01The mist shrouded

01:14:02the end of an era.

01:14:04It was the last time

01:14:05a national team

01:14:06played in Moscow

01:14:07under the banner

01:14:08of the Soviet Union.

01:14:12Germany have twice

01:14:14been crowned

01:14:14European champions

01:14:15and were once

01:14:16runners-up.

01:14:19Bertie Volk's

01:14:19managerial successor

01:14:21to Franz Beckenbauer

01:14:22was a member

01:14:22of their winning team

01:14:23in 1972.

01:14:27Thomas Dahl

01:14:28is one of the few

01:14:29former East German

01:14:30internationals

01:14:31to force his way

01:14:32into the 1990

01:14:33World Cup winning squad.

01:14:35He's played 29 times

01:14:36for East Germany

01:14:37before unification.

01:14:39After spells in the East

01:14:40with Hansa Rostock

01:14:41and Dynamo Berlin

01:14:42he moved west

01:14:43to Hamburg

01:14:43and was sold

01:14:44last summer

01:14:45to Lazio of Rome.

01:14:51Dahl proved an instant

01:14:52hero on his German

01:14:53debut against the

01:14:54Soviet Union

01:14:55in March last year

01:14:56and was a key figure

01:14:57in last autumn's

01:14:58Wembley win

01:14:59over England.

01:15:03Lothar Matthias

01:15:04achieved the ambition

01:15:05of every footballer

01:15:06when he held high

01:15:07the World Cup

01:15:08as captain of West

01:15:09Germany in Rome's

01:15:10Olympic Stadium

01:15:11in the summer of 1990.

01:15:13It was the peak

01:15:14of a wonderful year

01:15:15for the most dynamic

01:15:16midfield player

01:15:17in the world.

01:15:19Matthias plays

01:15:20for Italy's

01:15:20Internazionale.

01:15:21He's won just about

01:15:22every honour

01:15:23but not the European

01:15:24Championship

01:15:25at least not yet.

01:15:28Group 5 had been

01:15:29disrupted before

01:15:30a ball had been

01:15:30kicked with the

01:15:31withdrawal of East

01:15:32Germany pending

01:15:33unification.

01:15:35Belgium lost the

01:15:35first match in Wales

01:15:37and they benefited

01:15:38from a gift goal

01:15:39in return.

01:15:39Mark de Greyser

01:15:40number 9

01:15:41shared his delight

01:15:42not only with his

01:15:43teammates

01:15:43but also the fans

01:15:44in the stadium.

01:15:48Wales having won

01:15:49at home to Belgium

01:15:49and away to Luxembourg

01:15:50wasted little time

01:15:52in hitting back.

01:15:58Wales believed

01:15:59Belgium had a weakness

01:16:00at the back

01:16:00and they exploited it.

01:16:02a long cross

01:16:04from the left

01:16:05Ian rushes

01:16:06on the back post

01:16:07and Dean Saunders

01:16:09adds the thundering

01:16:10finish.

01:16:26The fans couldn't

01:16:28complain about

01:16:28the excitement

01:16:29and uncertainty

01:16:30in the group.

01:16:31Belgium were beaten

01:16:32next time out

01:16:33by Germany

01:16:33but the Germans

01:16:35then lost

01:16:35in turn

01:16:36to Wales

01:16:36in Cardiff

01:16:37where sweeper

01:16:38Thomas Berthold

01:16:39was sent off.

01:16:40That made the Germans

01:16:41all the more

01:16:41determined to beat

01:16:42Belgium.

01:16:44If they lost

01:16:45then Wales

01:16:46instead of the

01:16:46World Cup holders

01:16:47would go through

01:16:48to the finals.

01:16:51With 15 minutes

01:16:52gone the Germans

01:16:53forced this corner

01:16:53down the left hand side.

01:16:55A quick exchange

01:16:56of passes

01:16:56and then

01:16:58Dole crossed

01:16:58beyond the far post.

01:17:00Riedler turned the ball back

01:17:01and Rudi Voller

01:17:03stabbed it home.

01:17:05The Belgians

01:17:06protested

01:17:07that the ball

01:17:07had crossed

01:17:08the dead ball line

01:17:09before Riedler

01:17:10pulled it back.

01:17:11The Italian referee

01:17:12Tullio Lanese

01:17:13had no doubts.

01:17:17No wonder

01:17:18there were glimmy faces

01:17:19on the Belgian bench.

01:17:21They promised their fans

01:17:22they would make

01:17:22a game of it

01:17:23and now

01:17:24they let the Germans

01:17:25snatch a potentially

01:17:26decisive goal.

01:17:28Belgium to their credit

01:17:29never gave up.

01:17:30But history

01:17:38was on the German side.

01:17:40Many times

01:17:41German teams

01:17:42have appeared

01:17:42on the brink of defeat.

01:17:44But such has been

01:17:45their resilience

01:17:45that no European

01:17:46national team

01:17:47can match

01:17:48their competitive move.

01:17:57Three times

01:17:57the Germans

01:17:58have won the World Cup.

01:17:59This is the only nation

01:18:01to have won

01:18:01the European Championship

01:18:02twice.

01:18:04A nation which gave

01:18:05the world

01:18:05Fritz Volter,

01:18:06Uwe Zeyler,

01:18:07Franz Beckenbauer,

01:18:08Gert Muller,

01:18:09Paul Breitner,

01:18:10Karl-Heinz Rümeniger

01:18:11and of course

01:18:12today's heroes

01:18:13such as Matthäus,

01:18:14Dole,

01:18:15Klinsmann and Voller.

01:18:29Belgium never stopped

01:18:31battling in the rain

01:18:31and the slippery turf

01:18:33and the German defence

01:18:34stood firm.

01:18:35After all,

01:18:36Belgium were

01:18:36World Cup semi-finalists

01:18:38only six years ago

01:18:39and clubs such as

01:18:40Anderlech

01:18:41have a high profile

01:18:42in the European game.

01:18:45But in Guido Buffalt,

01:18:47Jürgen Kohler

01:18:47and Steffen Reuter,

01:18:48the Germans

01:18:49possess defenders

01:18:50who will defy

01:18:51the best attacks

01:18:52the Europe

01:18:52can throw at them.

01:18:53Against Belgium,

01:19:08Voller could have

01:19:09added to his tally

01:19:10in the 69th minute.

01:19:11Bremer's throw in

01:19:12on the left

01:19:12to Andy Muller

01:19:13paves the way

01:19:14to goal for Voller

01:19:15but Prudhomme

01:19:16raises his fists

01:19:17just in time

01:19:18to make that save.

01:19:21It's said a lot

01:19:21about the fitness

01:19:22and stamina

01:19:22of both teams

01:19:23at midway into

01:19:24the season.

01:19:24They produce

01:19:25such pace

01:19:25and effort

01:19:26and penetration

01:19:27in such difficult

01:19:29conditions.

01:19:42German manager

01:19:43Bertie Volks

01:19:43didn't believe

01:19:441-0

01:19:45was a sufficient

01:19:46margin for safety.

01:19:53His fears almost

01:20:06proved justified

01:20:07when Belgian fullback

01:20:09Albert popped up

01:20:10in the German penalty area

01:20:11to head narrowly

01:20:12over the top.

01:20:15An equaliser then

01:20:16would have undermined

01:20:17Germany's ability

01:20:18to qualify for Sweden.

01:20:19as it was

01:20:20the Germans

01:20:21hung on

01:20:21and they needed

01:20:22only the formality

01:20:23of a 4-0 win

01:20:24over Luxembourg

01:20:25to claim their ticket

01:20:26for the finals.

01:20:29Germany,

01:20:30not surprisingly,

01:20:31are European

01:20:32championship favourites.

01:20:33The civilised atmosphere

01:20:37of the draw appear

01:20:38far removed

01:20:39from the mud

01:20:39and perspiration

01:20:40of the qualifying rounds

01:20:42but none of the eight managers

01:20:43had any doubt

01:20:44about the nature

01:20:45of the challenge ahead.

01:20:46The draw conducted

01:20:49by one-time Swedish

01:20:50captain Niels Liedholm

01:20:52had produced

01:20:52two perfectly

01:20:53balanced groups.

01:21:07When they made the draw

01:21:08we didn't realise

01:21:08they were going to give us

01:21:09the very best

01:21:10and they gave us

01:21:11the world champions

01:21:12and they gave us

01:21:12the present European champions

01:21:13and a lot of people

01:21:16view that

01:21:16as being excessive

01:21:18but from our point of view

01:21:20we view it

01:21:20in a very positive light

01:21:21because our players

01:21:23enjoy playing

01:21:23against better sides

01:21:25we seem to raise

01:21:26our game

01:21:26in games like that

01:21:27and therefore

01:21:28we are optimistic

01:21:30we're looking forward to it.

01:21:34I have to say

01:21:35there are no favourites

01:21:36among the eight teams

01:21:37and were we

01:21:38in any other group

01:21:39it would have been

01:21:40just as difficult.

01:21:42I must say

01:21:43we're in a very

01:21:44unsuitable

01:21:45to us group

01:21:46as each of

01:21:47the three teams

01:21:48we're playing against

01:21:48has its own ambitions.

01:21:52It's a question

01:21:53of mentality

01:21:54amongst players

01:21:55and trainers

01:21:56and I feel

01:21:57the winds now

01:21:59that it's changing

01:22:00for the good

01:22:00and I think

01:22:01that we can expect

01:22:03championships here

01:22:04will be very spectacular.

01:22:08Sweden, France,

01:22:10England, Holland,

01:22:11Yugoslavia,

01:22:12Scotland,

01:22:13the CIS

01:22:14and Germany

01:22:14which country

01:22:16will win Europe's

01:22:17most coveted prize

01:22:18in Sweden

01:22:19in 92?

01:22:20No Chinatown start

01:22:25描

01:22:26Well,

01:22:26more than the

01:22:27game

01:22:27to

01:22:27more than the game

01:22:30So much more than a game

01:22:44Hearts on fire

01:22:46Dream is the same

01:22:48I'll be back to you

01:23:05I'll be back to you

01:23:07I'll be back to you

01:23:18Who will win Europe's biggest football prize?

01:23:22The official film of Euro 92 will bring you the drama, the excitement and the stars.

01:23:30Photographed by the world's top sports cameraman, they take you closer to the action.

01:23:39This film will be unlike anything seen on television.

01:23:42The official film of Euro 92 will be available from Sports World this autumn.

01:23:48A must for all football fans.

01:23:55Imagine how you would want a car to be.

01:23:59Imagine new systems to keep you safer and more comfortable.

01:24:04Imagine a new respect for the environment, inside and out.

01:24:08That gives you response and excitement.

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Road to Sweden

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1992 UEFA European Football Championship EM

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