The European Football Championship has finally reached Germany - the most titled national team in this tournament. Euro 1988 was not without scandals. After choosing a venue for the country, the social camps announced a boycott of the event, if the organizers will conduct matches in West Berlin. Germany did not tempt fate. In general, the championship turned out to be interesting. The home team this time did not manage to climb high. But the USSR flashed, reaching the finals. The national team missed two previous tournaments and could win the title, but the Dutch stood in the way.
Format
By the 80s, they had already decided on the format of the championship. Eight teams played in the final stage: seven qualifying group winners and a host country. Teams were divided into two subgroups. The opportunity to play in the semifinals received two teams from the group.
Cities and stadiums
Euro 1988 football took eight fields of Germany in the period from June 10 to June 25, 1988.
- "Volksparkstadion" in Hamburg (capacity - 61,200).
- Parkstadion in Gelsenkirchen (capacity - 62,000).
- Müngersdorfer in Cologne (capacity - 47,000).
- Waldstadion in Frankfurt (capacity - 61,000).
- Lower Saxony Stadium in Hanover (capacity - 50 423).
- Reinstadion in Dusseldorf (capacity - 55 850).
- Olympiastadion in Munich (capacity - 69,000).
- Necarstadion in Stuttgart (capacity - 50,000).
All arenas were well prepared, which is not surprising. Germany has already happened to hold a major football event (World Cup 74), so it was known about all the subtleties. It was not for nothing that this country was chosen, because eight countries fought for the right to host the tournament.
Qualifying Tournament
The draw took place on February 14, 1986. 32 participating teams learned with whom to play, and the first meetings took place in the fall.
Group 1
We got into the qualifying group (according to positions occupied in the group):
- Spain (10 points);
- Romania (9 points);
- Austria (5 points);
- Albania (0 points).
The Romanian team is already accustomed to constant meetings with Spain in major tournaments. We must pay tribute to the Spaniards - they were always ahead. Many will say that the Romanians played poorly and will be wrong. For 25 years, Spain won 4 times, tied 3 times and lost to Romania 3 times. So the advantage is minimal.
In the classification for Euro 1988, Romania competed with the “fury” to the last. In their composition in those years was full of good football players. Despite the excellent game of the Romanians, the Spaniards beat them in the group by 1 point and went to the final stage.
Group 2
In the group are:
- Italy (13);
- Sweden (10);
- Portugal (8);
- Switzerland (7);
- Malta (2).
The previous selection for the Euro team of Italy failed, but this passed, although not without problems. The main rivals of the Italians were the Swedes and the Portuguese. The second flew out of the race on their own stupidity. After an unsuccessful performance at the mundial, the Portuguese national team lost many players who were disqualified. The rest left the team in solidarity with their comrades. Thanks to this, the team was no longer a danger.
Sweden tried very hard. The team even managed to beat the Italians, but important points were lost in other fights.
Group 3
Position:
- USSR (13);
- GDR (11);
- France (6);
- Iceland (6);
- Norway (4).
In a fierce struggle, the national team of the Soviet Union again managed to get into a major tournament. The team went to Euro 1988 thanks to the work of Valery Vasilievich Lobanovsky. The national team got into a difficult group. Here are the current European champions and difficult GDRs. In addition, two teams that were outsiders, but could give a surprise.
Icelanders were immediately surprised by taking away points from France (0: 0), and then from the USSR (1: 1). In the same fall, the Lobanovsky team defeated the French with a score of 2: 0. The following year brought new victories, thanks to which the team went to Euro 1988.
Group 4
Position:
- England (11);
- Yugoslavia (8);
- Northern Ireland (3);
- Turkey (2).
In the qualifying round of Euro 1988, the compositions of Yugoslavia and England were equal. Past years have shown that teams are at the same level and everything can happen. At this selection, the British proved their title of “the founders of football”, having twice beat the main opponent. Moreover, the national team lost the home game in Belgrade with a score of 4: 1.
The two remaining teams took the appropriate places, without exerting any influence on the leaders.
Group 5
Position:
- Netherlands (16);
- Greece (9);
- Hungary (8);
- Poland (8);
- Cyprus (1).
The last European Championship the Dutch missed. This time all efforts were thrown to get to Euro 1988. The results of the team were not long in coming after the arrival of coach Rinus Michels. In addition, the Netherlands was lucky with the group. The national teams of Poland and Hungary no longer shone, as before, although it was the Hungarians who did not let the Dutch go to the mundial in Mexico. The Greeks after a surge in the selection for the European Championship-80 again went into the shadows. There was no point in fearing Cyprus. However, it was in the match with the Cypriots that the situation occurred, because of which I had to arrange a replay. A Dutch fan threw a firecracker on the field, which was a shell-shock to the goalkeeper of Cyprus (at that time the Netherlands were 8-0). A replay was appointed, in which the Dutch again had the advantage (4: 0).
Group 6
Position:
- Denmark (8);
- Czechoslovakia (7);
- Wales (6);
- Finland (3).
The last groups were remembered by a fierce struggle until the last minutes. But the reason for this was not the strength of the teams, but the sluggish game of the favorites. Denmark, which in those years was not dangerous, played on equal terms with Wales, winning at home and losing on the road. The Danes came to the end of the selection in the first place, and their outcome depended on the match Wales-Czechoslovakia. The Czechs have already lost all chances of an exit, and the Welsh needed a victory. But the first decided not to miss Wales and helped Denmark.
Group 7
Position:
- Ireland (11);
- Bulgaria (10);
- Belgium (9);
- Scotland (9);
- Luxembourg (1).
Before the start of the selection, Belgium was the favorite, which successfully hosted the recent World Cup. Experts believed that Bulgaria and Scotland, which also had a certain weight on the world stage, would be able to resist. As a result, all the favorites flew past Euro 1988. A sensational group was won by Ireland, which had never before made it to major tournaments. Jack Charlton coached the team and managed to teach them how to play attractive football. The result came right away. The national team managed not to lose to Belgium, and then defeated in Scotland and beat the Bulgarians at home. Nevertheless, Ireland's final stage depended on the Scotland-Bulgaria match. Even a draw led the last out of the group, and she stayed until the last minutes. At the 86th gate struck Gary Mackay. Interestingly, Jack Charlton himself was fishing when he was informed about getting to Euro 1988. Vacation had to be postponed ...
Final tournament
The number of applicants for Euro 1988 gold included:
- Germany;
- Spain;
- England;
- Ireland;
- Denmark;
- Italy;
- THE USSR;
- Netherlands.
Group A
Position:
- Germany (5 points);
- Italy (5 points);
- Spain (2 points);
- Denmark (0 points).
Denmark, which was then watched by many, could not make a miracle, losing all the matches. The team’s mentor (Piontek) wanted to leave the team, but the management persuaded him to stay for another qualifying period.
The Spanish national team lost in the second stage of Italy with a minimum score. She needed to beat Germany. The situation is familiar to her - a few years ago it was necessary to accomplish something similar. The Germans have seriously intensified over the years, the famous Franz Beckenbauer climbed the coaching bridge, so few believed in the miraculous salvation of the Spaniards. In addition, Germany was easier to play thanks to the home stadium and the fans. The Germans confidently beat the “seleksyon” (Feller scored twice) and took first place. The Italian team is located on the second with the same number of points, but with fewer goals.
Azello Vicini perfectly prepared the Italians. The national team impressed the fans with their game. The Italians tied with the hosts, and could have come out victorious. Goal conceded due to oversight of goalkeeper Zengi. By the way, this ball was the only missed Italians in the group stage.
Group B
Position:
- USSR (5 points);
- Netherlands (4 points);
- Ireland (3 points);
- England (0 points).
The USSR at Euro 1988 began to play uncertainly. There is a legend that due to a bad start, one sports journalist wrote an article: "Did the USSR team go to Germany on their ticket?" What kind of journalist and in which newspaper an offensive article was published - no one knows.
The first two matches, the players of the Soviet team spent gloomy, but were able to take points. The opening match against the Dutch was won by a miracle. Such situations in football are called "rebound." The victory of the national team was brought by a goal scored by defender Vasily Rat. Following was the match against Ireland. Here, too, everything went not so rosy. Ronnie Whelan distinguished himself and could bring his team a victory. Through the efforts of Protasov, they were able to recoup 25 minutes before the end of the meeting, but they could still miss.
It is worth mentioning about the composition of the USSR national team. Euro 1988 was set off to conquer the most famous football players of the Soviet Union of that time. The composition included the famous strikers Oleg Protasov, Alexander Zavarov, as well as Igor Belanov. In the defense shone: Vasily Rat, Sergey Aleinikov, Vagiz Khidiyatullin, Oleg Kuznetsov and Anatoly Demyanenko. Among the midfielders can be identified: Gennady Litovchenko, Alexei Mikhaylichenko and Sergei Gotsmanov. The gate was protected by Rinat Dasaev.
The USSR team was able to delight with a bright game only in the final match of the group. They competed with England, which had already lost all chances of entry. The British failed in the tournament, losing all three matches. The main tragedy was the defeat from Ireland. Neighbors still remember that game and call it the best in history.
Semifinal
The Netherlands team often met with the Germans, but they did not succeed in winning a major tournament. In the semi-final of Euro 1988, analysts gave preference to the hostess, but the “orange” were able to create a sensation.
The game was calm, with a slight advantage of the Germans. In the 55th minute, the referee fouls the Dutch for a dubious foul, and Matteus scores. The Netherlands national team ran to the opponent’s goal with all their might. The Germans got on the defensive. And so, in the 74th minute, the “orange” earn a penalty, Ronald Kuman scored without errors. The match went to extra time, but Marco van Basten does not leave Germany a chance in the 90th minute.
In Stuttgart, in the second semifinal match, the teams of the USSR and Italy met. The Soviet team showed excellent football and looked much better than the opponent. In the 60th minute, Litovchenko scored the first goal. Two minutes later, a second flew into the gates of the Italians. This time Oleg Protasov scored . The team could have distinguished themselves yet, but the game ended in an advantage of two goals. Players with their attacking game earned the applause of the fans.
Euro 1988 Final
For the first time in the history of European Championships, rivals met twice. In the first match, the Soviet team played poorly, but won. The second match proceeded on an equal footing, at some points the Lobanovsky team even exceeded the opponent, but failed to win.
In the 32nd minute, Gullit scored. On the 54th, Van Basten made the score final. The USSR team did not give up, attacking the Dutch gates, but could not score.
The team managed to win the respect of fans in the country, despite the loss. The management allocated to each player about 25 thousand dollars, which is very good at that time. Euro 1988 was the last successful tournament for the USSR. After that, there was a failure at the World Cup in Italy, and then the Soviet Union completely ceased to exist.