Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund are both teams I really like without being a fan; they have fantastic fans, a great history, and play great football.
So I had big expectations to tonight's Europa League Quarterfinal second leg in Liverpool, and these expectations were lived up to in excess.
In an incredible atmosphere both teams played fantastic football (although one cynic may criticize their defenses for giving too much space) and gave any fan of good football an unforgettable experience. It all seemed over when Dortmund went ahead 0-2, and then 1-3 at the start of the second half. But never underestimate Liverpool, who must be World Champions in Memorable Comebacks (remember against Alaves in 2001 and against AC Milan in 2005...?): first Coutinho scored 2-3, then Mamadou Sakho made it 3-3, and in the 91st minute Dejan Lovren scored the 4-3 winner (even though Dortmund even managed a good chance for 4-4 in the last minute).
One can only feel sorry for Borussia Dortmund, but there are indeed matches with two winners, and this was certainly one of them.
Liverpool is now in the semifinal of the Europa League.
Thursday, April 14, 2016
The Greatest Euro Matches: Croatia-Denmark (1996)
In 1992 Denmark had become European champions after replacing a Yugoslavia torn apart by civil war. By 1996, some of the countries that Yugoslavia had been composed of had become independent countries. One of these countries was Croatia, who during the time of Yugoslavia had also been home to some of the country's best clubs and footballers. The qualification for Euro 1996 had been their first tournament after independence and they were awesome, winning their group ahead of Italy, Ukraine, Lithuania, Slovenia and Estonia. For a newly independent country to participate in the tournament meant much more than just football, but for many also meant the country entering the international stage.
And indeed, they entered the tournament with a team of star-players that should not be underestimated by anyone: a strong and robust defense with players such as Betis Seville's Robert Jarni, Igor Stimac from Derby County and Slaven Bilic from West Ham United. Zvonomir Boban, one of the best players in the world and a star at AC Milan was the midfield general of the Croat side, supplemented by Aljosa Asanovic from Hajduk Split, Mario Stanic from Club Brugge and the outstanding Robert Procineski from FC Barcelona. The striking duo was outstanding in the form of Davor Suker from Sevilla and Alen Boksic from Lazio.
Denmark had been under pressure since winning the Euro 1992. As champions that all of Europe wanted to defeat, they had struggled as favourites, not qualifying for the 1994 World Cup. Still, their side was strong, and with the return of the legendary Michael Laudrup from Real Madrid (who had not played in 1992), only seemed to have gotten even stronger. The Danes had other outstanding players, such as Manchester United's Peter Schmeichel in goal, Thomas Helveg from Udinese, together with Marc Rieper from West Ham and Brondby's veteran Lars Olsen in defense. Michael Laudrup's brother Brian, from Glasgow Rangers, continued to be a threat up front.
Denmark had opened the tournament with a hard-fought 1-1 tie against Portugal, while Croatia had defeated Turkey 1-0 on a late strike by Padova's Goran Vlaovic, so Denmark were forced to go for a result, while the Croats were undoubtedly eager to take such an important scalp as it would be to defeat the defending European champions.
First half ended 0-0 in a tactical match where neither team had come to open chances, although Asanovic and Boban had slowly gained control of the midfield, where in particular the Hajduk Split player was distributing great passes to the two strikers, Suker and Vlaovic, who had started in together for the first time in the tournament. But the second half was to have one super-star: Davor Suker.
The Danes were playing without taking risks, preferring rather to keep the result and score on a counter-attack, than to go for a result. Of course, this style had given them the title in 1992, but it was harder to follow-up on when you were the favourite. After eight minutes in the second half the defender Slaven Bilic made a perfect through pass to Club Brugge's Mario Stanic on the wrong side of the Danish off-side trap. Stanic rounded Peter Schmeichel who barely got a hand on the ball while taking down Stanic.
Penalty for Croatia.
Davor Suker had already had some good shots on the world's great goalkeeper, but he gave Schmeichel no chance in the penalty, with a low hard and well-placed shot.
1-0 for Croatia.
The Danes now ventured forward a bit more, with coach Moller-Nielsen making some more offensive changes. But the Croatians were also skillful at the counter-attacking game, and as they grew more and more confident, also got the chances. Only two minutes after Igor Stimac had hit the crossbar, Davor Suker skillfully broke through on the left side and crossed the ball to the far post where a storming Zvonimir Boban got to the ball ahead of Schmeichel and made it 2-0 for Croatia.
It was a resigned Danish side who decided to throw it all forward. In the last minute of the match Peter Schmeichel had ventured forward when the Croatians broke the Danish attack. Schmeichel managed to rush back, but stood halfway between Suker and the goal-line when the striker elegantly lobbed the ball over the tall Dane to complete the humiliation of the European champions.
Although the Danes won their last match 3-0 against Turkey, they were out of the tournament. On the other hand the Croatians had with this match announced that a new footballing power had emerged. They were out in the quarterfinals of the tournament after losing 2-1 to the later champions of Germany, but two years later they cemented their position by making it to the semi-finals of the 1998 World Cup.
Sheffield, 16th June 1996 Hillsborough Stadium
Attendance: 33,600
Referee: Marc Batta (France)
Croatia-Denmark 3-0
Croatia: Dražen Ladić; Slaven Bilić, Nikola Jerkan, Igor Štimac, Mario Stanić, Aljoša Asanović, Zvonimir Boban (c) (Zvonimir Soldo, 82), Robert Prosinečki (Mladen Mladenović, 88), Robert Jarni, Davor Šuker, Goran Vlaović ( Nikola Jurčević, 82). Coach: Miroslav Blažević
Denmark: Peter Schmeichel; Thomas Helveg ( Jacob Laursen, 46), Marc Rieper, Jes Høgh, Michael Schjønberg, Brian Steen Nielsen, Claus Thomsen, Henrik Larsen (Stig Tøfting, 69), Michael Laudrup (c) , Kim Vilfort (Mikkel Beck, 59), Brian Laudrup. Coach: Richard Møller Nielsen
Goals:
1-0 Davor Suker (53) (pen)
2-0 Boban (81)
3-0 Davor Suker (90)
And indeed, they entered the tournament with a team of star-players that should not be underestimated by anyone: a strong and robust defense with players such as Betis Seville's Robert Jarni, Igor Stimac from Derby County and Slaven Bilic from West Ham United. Zvonomir Boban, one of the best players in the world and a star at AC Milan was the midfield general of the Croat side, supplemented by Aljosa Asanovic from Hajduk Split, Mario Stanic from Club Brugge and the outstanding Robert Procineski from FC Barcelona. The striking duo was outstanding in the form of Davor Suker from Sevilla and Alen Boksic from Lazio.
Denmark had been under pressure since winning the Euro 1992. As champions that all of Europe wanted to defeat, they had struggled as favourites, not qualifying for the 1994 World Cup. Still, their side was strong, and with the return of the legendary Michael Laudrup from Real Madrid (who had not played in 1992), only seemed to have gotten even stronger. The Danes had other outstanding players, such as Manchester United's Peter Schmeichel in goal, Thomas Helveg from Udinese, together with Marc Rieper from West Ham and Brondby's veteran Lars Olsen in defense. Michael Laudrup's brother Brian, from Glasgow Rangers, continued to be a threat up front.
Denmark had opened the tournament with a hard-fought 1-1 tie against Portugal, while Croatia had defeated Turkey 1-0 on a late strike by Padova's Goran Vlaovic, so Denmark were forced to go for a result, while the Croats were undoubtedly eager to take such an important scalp as it would be to defeat the defending European champions.
First half ended 0-0 in a tactical match where neither team had come to open chances, although Asanovic and Boban had slowly gained control of the midfield, where in particular the Hajduk Split player was distributing great passes to the two strikers, Suker and Vlaovic, who had started in together for the first time in the tournament. But the second half was to have one super-star: Davor Suker.
The Danes were playing without taking risks, preferring rather to keep the result and score on a counter-attack, than to go for a result. Of course, this style had given them the title in 1992, but it was harder to follow-up on when you were the favourite. After eight minutes in the second half the defender Slaven Bilic made a perfect through pass to Club Brugge's Mario Stanic on the wrong side of the Danish off-side trap. Stanic rounded Peter Schmeichel who barely got a hand on the ball while taking down Stanic.
Penalty for Croatia.
Davor Suker had already had some good shots on the world's great goalkeeper, but he gave Schmeichel no chance in the penalty, with a low hard and well-placed shot.
1-0 for Croatia.
The Danes now ventured forward a bit more, with coach Moller-Nielsen making some more offensive changes. But the Croatians were also skillful at the counter-attacking game, and as they grew more and more confident, also got the chances. Only two minutes after Igor Stimac had hit the crossbar, Davor Suker skillfully broke through on the left side and crossed the ball to the far post where a storming Zvonimir Boban got to the ball ahead of Schmeichel and made it 2-0 for Croatia.
It was a resigned Danish side who decided to throw it all forward. In the last minute of the match Peter Schmeichel had ventured forward when the Croatians broke the Danish attack. Schmeichel managed to rush back, but stood halfway between Suker and the goal-line when the striker elegantly lobbed the ball over the tall Dane to complete the humiliation of the European champions.
Although the Danes won their last match 3-0 against Turkey, they were out of the tournament. On the other hand the Croatians had with this match announced that a new footballing power had emerged. They were out in the quarterfinals of the tournament after losing 2-1 to the later champions of Germany, but two years later they cemented their position by making it to the semi-finals of the 1998 World Cup.
Sheffield, 16th June 1996 Hillsborough Stadium
Attendance: 33,600
Referee: Marc Batta (France)
Croatia-Denmark 3-0
Croatia: Dražen Ladić; Slaven Bilić, Nikola Jerkan, Igor Štimac, Mario Stanić, Aljoša Asanović, Zvonimir Boban (c) (Zvonimir Soldo, 82), Robert Prosinečki (Mladen Mladenović, 88), Robert Jarni, Davor Šuker, Goran Vlaović ( Nikola Jurčević, 82). Coach: Miroslav Blažević
Denmark: Peter Schmeichel; Thomas Helveg ( Jacob Laursen, 46), Marc Rieper, Jes Høgh, Michael Schjønberg, Brian Steen Nielsen, Claus Thomsen, Henrik Larsen (Stig Tøfting, 69), Michael Laudrup (c) , Kim Vilfort (Mikkel Beck, 59), Brian Laudrup. Coach: Richard Møller Nielsen
Goals:
1-0 Davor Suker (53) (pen)
2-0 Boban (81)
3-0 Davor Suker (90)
Thursday, April 07, 2016
Unpredictable quarterfinals
The first round of the 2015-16 quarterfinals is over, and with fantastic games and close results, the second round is all but impossible to predict:
- Atletico Madrid-Barcelona: Barcelona won 2-1 at home after some help from the referee when he threw out an admittedly over-eager Fernando Torres. But the way FC Barcelona have looked in the last two matches, nothing is certain as they go away to Madrid. Atletico Madrid are tactically astute, physically strong and strong enough to get the needed 1-0 home victory. It will be a thrilling encounter
- Benfica-Bayern Munich: The South Germans looked to be opening the floodgates as they went ahead 1-0 in the first minute, but that was in fact the final result of the match. 1-0 at home is never certain before you go to Portugal, and be reminded that another Portuguese team, Porto, defeated Bayern 3-1 in Portugal in last year's quarterfinal. Bayern Munich then went on to win 6-1 at home, but that option is no longer available.
- Manchester City-Paris Saint Germain: 2-2 was a great result to get home from Paris for Manchester City after a match where both teams made awful defensive errors. Both teams have great striking power as well, so that combination is sure to be impossible to predict before the next match in Manchester. It will be a drama and fantastic match.
- Real Madrid-Wolfsburg: As Spanish teams so often do, they underestimate the Germans, and are punished for it. Wolfsburg shocked an arrogant and uncharming Real Madrid side (where Marcelo is a disgrace for his blatant kicking, headbutting and acting, all in one play) by winning 2-0 at home. Real Madrid are thus against the wall as they play at home, and will have to attack with everything they have, which is bound to be interesting. At the same time, they must not underestimate a Wolfsburg side that is so strong on counter-attack.
The Greatest Euro Matches: Denmark-Germany (1992)
In 1992 it seemed that Germany would be the new great power of international football. World champions in 1990 as West Germany, the reunification of East and West Germany had only made the German side stronger and with a wider base of players. Thus, for the European Championship in Sweden, Germany entered the tournament as favourites, perhaps only to be threatened by their eternal rivals, the Netherlands. In fact, the two sides faced one another in the first round of the tournament, where the Dutch went away with a 3-1 victory, but everyone expected the tournament to be a contest between the two great sides.
Germany had no problems qualifying ahead of Wales, Belgium and Luxembourg. They opened the tournament with 1-1 against the ex-USSR team of the Community of Independent States, and then defeated Scotland 2-0. The 1-3 defeat to the Netherlands mattered little as they went to the semifinals to meet the hosts of Sweden. Germany dominated the match and won 2-3 on two goals by the Lazio striker Karl-Heinz Riedle. In fact, many of the German players plied their trade in Italy after their 1990 victory. The midfielder Thomas Doll also played for Lazio, while the defenders Jurgen Kohler and Stefan Reuter player for Juventus. Thomas Hassler and Rudi Voller both played for Roma, while the captain Andreas Brehme and the great striker Jurgen Klinsmann played in Inter Milan. Of course, the team also contained great players from the German league: goalkeeper Bodo Ilgner from FC Cologne, the veteran Guido Buchwald from Stuttgart, as well as Mattias Sammer from Stuttgart and the young Stefan Effenberg from Bayern Munich.
When the Germans learned that Denmark had upset the Netherlands to make it to the final, they were expecting that their third European title would only be a matter of a match. Arrogantly, Germans had started the preparations for welcoming the champions home before the match. The Danes had shown that they should not be underestimated.
It did seem it would be going Germany's way at the start of the match, where Denmark barely got to the German side of the pitch. Instead, Guido Buchwald and Stefan Reuter had good chances that were saved by Schmeichel, who as the match went on, only became a more and more impenetrable wall. In the 18th minute Denmark finally approached the German area. Kim Vilfort won a tussle with Andreas Brehme, and passed the ball to Flemming Povlsen, who passed it on to a rushing John Jensen at the edge of the penalty area. John Jensen did not hesitate and his perfect first-time shot went straight to the back of the net. John Jensen was known for making one feeble shot after another, but there he got it right. As Schmeichel said in an interview years later: “Talking about luck! John Jensen scoring!”.
Denmark had taken its first step to the sensation, but the world champions were determined not to be denied, and continued to press on. Schmeichel had more good saves from Jurgen Klinsmann and Stefan Effenberg before halftime. In second half the Germans continued their pressure, but the Danish defense grew more and more confident ahead of an unbeatable Peter Schmeichel, who even had the arrogance to take the ball down with one hand during a cross.
In the 78th minute the Danes struck back amid the German pressure. Kim Vilfort received a random ball at the edge of the German area, and after one move took a shot. It was not particularly hard, but it took the far edge of the post, outside Bodo Ilgner's range, and Denmark were 2-0 up.
Nothing went wrong from then on. It had not been pretty from an overly defensive and counter-attacking side, but the sensation that a small country could beat the giants to become European champions ran across Europe, and is by many indeed remember as a fairy tale ending of Euro 1992.
Gothenburg, 26th June 1992 Nye Ullevi Stadium
Attendance: 37,800
Referee: Bruno Galler (Switzerland)
Denmark-Germany 2-0
Denmark: Peter Schmeichel; Lars Olsen (c), Torben Piechnik, Kent Nielsen, John Sivebæk (Claus Christiansen, 66), Kim Christofte, John Jensen, Kim Vilfort, Henrik Larsen, Brian Laudrup, Flemming Povlsen. Coach: Richard Moller Nielsen
Germany: Bodo Illgner; Guido Buchwald, Jürgen Kohler, Thomas Helmer, Stefan Reuter, Andreas Brehme (c), Matthias Sammer (Thomas Doll, 46), Stefan Effenberg (Andreas Thorn, 80), Thomas Hässler, Karlheinz Riedle, Jürgen Klinsmann. Coach: Berti Vogts
Goals:
1-0 John Jensen (18)
2-0 Kim Vilfort (78)
Germany had no problems qualifying ahead of Wales, Belgium and Luxembourg. They opened the tournament with 1-1 against the ex-USSR team of the Community of Independent States, and then defeated Scotland 2-0. The 1-3 defeat to the Netherlands mattered little as they went to the semifinals to meet the hosts of Sweden. Germany dominated the match and won 2-3 on two goals by the Lazio striker Karl-Heinz Riedle. In fact, many of the German players plied their trade in Italy after their 1990 victory. The midfielder Thomas Doll also played for Lazio, while the defenders Jurgen Kohler and Stefan Reuter player for Juventus. Thomas Hassler and Rudi Voller both played for Roma, while the captain Andreas Brehme and the great striker Jurgen Klinsmann played in Inter Milan. Of course, the team also contained great players from the German league: goalkeeper Bodo Ilgner from FC Cologne, the veteran Guido Buchwald from Stuttgart, as well as Mattias Sammer from Stuttgart and the young Stefan Effenberg from Bayern Munich.
When the Germans learned that Denmark had upset the Netherlands to make it to the final, they were expecting that their third European title would only be a matter of a match. Arrogantly, Germans had started the preparations for welcoming the champions home before the match. The Danes had shown that they should not be underestimated.
It did seem it would be going Germany's way at the start of the match, where Denmark barely got to the German side of the pitch. Instead, Guido Buchwald and Stefan Reuter had good chances that were saved by Schmeichel, who as the match went on, only became a more and more impenetrable wall. In the 18th minute Denmark finally approached the German area. Kim Vilfort won a tussle with Andreas Brehme, and passed the ball to Flemming Povlsen, who passed it on to a rushing John Jensen at the edge of the penalty area. John Jensen did not hesitate and his perfect first-time shot went straight to the back of the net. John Jensen was known for making one feeble shot after another, but there he got it right. As Schmeichel said in an interview years later: “Talking about luck! John Jensen scoring!”.
Denmark had taken its first step to the sensation, but the world champions were determined not to be denied, and continued to press on. Schmeichel had more good saves from Jurgen Klinsmann and Stefan Effenberg before halftime. In second half the Germans continued their pressure, but the Danish defense grew more and more confident ahead of an unbeatable Peter Schmeichel, who even had the arrogance to take the ball down with one hand during a cross.
In the 78th minute the Danes struck back amid the German pressure. Kim Vilfort received a random ball at the edge of the German area, and after one move took a shot. It was not particularly hard, but it took the far edge of the post, outside Bodo Ilgner's range, and Denmark were 2-0 up.
Nothing went wrong from then on. It had not been pretty from an overly defensive and counter-attacking side, but the sensation that a small country could beat the giants to become European champions ran across Europe, and is by many indeed remember as a fairy tale ending of Euro 1992.
Gothenburg, 26th June 1992 Nye Ullevi Stadium
Attendance: 37,800
Referee: Bruno Galler (Switzerland)
Denmark-Germany 2-0
Denmark: Peter Schmeichel; Lars Olsen (c), Torben Piechnik, Kent Nielsen, John Sivebæk (Claus Christiansen, 66), Kim Christofte, John Jensen, Kim Vilfort, Henrik Larsen, Brian Laudrup, Flemming Povlsen. Coach: Richard Moller Nielsen
Germany: Bodo Illgner; Guido Buchwald, Jürgen Kohler, Thomas Helmer, Stefan Reuter, Andreas Brehme (c), Matthias Sammer (Thomas Doll, 46), Stefan Effenberg (Andreas Thorn, 80), Thomas Hässler, Karlheinz Riedle, Jürgen Klinsmann. Coach: Berti Vogts
Goals:
1-0 John Jensen (18)
2-0 Kim Vilfort (78)
Saturday, April 02, 2016
The Greatest Euro Matches: Netherlands-Denmark (1992)
In 1992 Europe was changing, and that was also felt on the football arena. A united Germany participated for the first time in the European Championships, while the dissolution of the USSR had meant that they participated as a composed team of “Community of Independent States”. But more directly the events unfolding in Europe affected directly on one of the participating teams. Denmark had in their qualifying group ended behind Yugoslavia, who at the time had one of the strongest teams in the world. But in 1992 the terrible civil war that was tearing apart this southern European country was in full force, and UN sanctions meant that the Yugoslavs, who had qualified ahead of Denmark, were not permitted to participate. Instead, Denmark were called in hastily; players were recalled from their summer vacation to go to neighboring Sweden to play three matches against England, Sweden and France, in what pretty much everyone, including the Danes themselves, considered to be lost matches beforehand. The hosts were highly motivated with a strong side that had prepared long for the tournament. England were hoping for Euro success finally, while France had a team of superstars under Michel Platini, that most people considered favourites for the title.
But Denmark surprised everyone: they opened with a respectful 0-0 against England, which they could have won. They then lost 0-1 to Sweden, and when most people thought Denmark were out of the tournament, they pulled the sensation in their last group match, defeating France 2-1 and thus making it to the Euro semi-finals behind Sweden.
Despite the Danish team being somewhat unprepared for the tournament it was not a wholly inexperienced side. They were missing their superstar Michael Laudrup, who had refused to play under coach Richard Moller Nielsen, but had his brother Brian Laudrup, from Bayern Munich, as one of the technically most gifted players in Europe. In goal Denmark had Manchester United's Peter Schmeichel, widely considered one of the best in the world, and a solid defense of experienced players around Trabzonspor's Lars Olsen, who captained the side. Other of the experienced players from the side were Borussia Dortmund's Flemming Poulsen, Brondy's John Jensen, FC Cologne's Henrik Andersen, or the AS Monaco veteran John Sivebaek.
The Netherlands were huge favourites before the semifinal match. As defending champions they had made it to the quarterfinals of the 1990 World Cup, only to lose to the later champions of Germany, and the final of this tournament was widely expected to be a clash between the two giants. They had already faced one another in the group stages, where the Dutch had won 3-1, and after defeating Scotland and tying the CIS, they had every reason to be confident against the Danish minnows. The side had the AC Milan trio as its dynamo: captain Ruud Gullit, Frank Riijkaard, and the best striker in the world, Marco Van Basten. In defense FC Barcelona's Ronald Koeman was also a powerful free-kick taker, and the young Dennis Bergkamp from Ajax Amsterdam gave the team further attacking power.
The Netherlands were rightly considered to be one of the best teams in the world, and they also entered the pitch as a team that had won beforehand. But the Danes, without the pressure of expectation, were ready to give everything in a match that became an epic struggle.
The Dutch team had barely settled into the match when Brian Laudrup got through on the right side, and from the back line centered into the Dutch area. At the far post a completely unmarked Henrik Larsen from Lyngby, could easily head the ball in behind Hans Van Breukelen to the surprise of everyone present. While the goal may have given the Danes some belief, the Dutch side quickly shook the initial shock and put pressure on the Danes. 18 Minutes after the Danish goal, Dennis Bergkamp equalized for the Dutch when he received the ball from Frank Rijkaard at the edge of the Danish area and patiently placed the ball in the furthest corner of the Danish goal. But the Danes were unshaken, and ten minutes later the Danes went ahead again. Henrik Larsen was again the unlikely hero when he received a loose ball headed out of the Dutch area and resolutely took a shot.
Denmark were sensationally ahead 2-1 at half-time, deservedly, playing with a solid defense and a dangerous counter-attack. In the second half the hard-fighting Danish defense were tested again and again, and when the Dutch finally got through, their shots were saved by a splendid Peter Schmeichel. As the minutes ticked away it seemed as if they might pull the sensation, but four minutes before time Frank Rijkaard equalized for the Dutch when he hammered the ball in at close range after a corner kick.
Denmark continued fighting heroically in extra time, even pulling a few chances, and one man down when Henrik Andersen got his knee-cap destroyed in one of the most horrific TV injuries in modern football. In the end, both teams were dead-tired when the match ended, and it went into penalty shoot-out. Two great goalkeepers faced each other. On the Netherlands second kick, Peter Schmeichel saved Marco Van Basten's shot. A good save, but as Schmeichel later said, it was luck. And with some cool and much luck, the Danes scored on their subsequent shots until it came down to Kim Christofte's last shot. A cool and soft shot almost at the center of goal totally confused Van Breukelen, and the Danes had pulled out one of the most unlikely surprises in modern football, making it to the final, where they completed the sensation by defeating the German world champions 2-0, showing that their victory against the Dutch European champions had been no coincidence.
Gothenburg, 22nd June 1992 Nye Ullevi Stadium
Attendance: 37,450
Referee: Emilio S. Aladren, Spain
Netherlands-Denmark 2-2 (AET)
Penalty kicks: Netherlands-Denmark 4-5
Netherlands: Hans van Breukelen; Frank de Boer (Wim Kieft, 46), Ronald Koeman, Frank Rijkaard, Adri van Tiggelen, Ruud Gullit, Rob Witschge, Jan Wouters, Dennis Bergkamp, Bryan Roy (John vant Schip, 115), Marco van Basten. Coach: Rinus Michels
Denmark: Peter Schmeichel; Henrik Andersen, Kim Christofte, Lars Christian Olsen, Torben Piechnik, John Sivebaek, John Jensen, Henrik Larsen, Kim Vilfort, Brian Laudrup, Flemming Povlsen. Coach: Richard Møller Nielsen
Goals:
0-1 Larsen (5)
1-1 Bergkamp (23)
1-2 Larsen (33)
2-2 Rijkaard (86)
Penalty kicks:
1-0 Koeman
1-1 Larsen
Van Basten missed for the Netherlands
1-2 Povlsen
2-2 Bergkamp
2-3 Elstrup
3-3 Rijkaard
3-4 Vilfort
4-4 Witschge
4-5 Christofte
But Denmark surprised everyone: they opened with a respectful 0-0 against England, which they could have won. They then lost 0-1 to Sweden, and when most people thought Denmark were out of the tournament, they pulled the sensation in their last group match, defeating France 2-1 and thus making it to the Euro semi-finals behind Sweden.
Despite the Danish team being somewhat unprepared for the tournament it was not a wholly inexperienced side. They were missing their superstar Michael Laudrup, who had refused to play under coach Richard Moller Nielsen, but had his brother Brian Laudrup, from Bayern Munich, as one of the technically most gifted players in Europe. In goal Denmark had Manchester United's Peter Schmeichel, widely considered one of the best in the world, and a solid defense of experienced players around Trabzonspor's Lars Olsen, who captained the side. Other of the experienced players from the side were Borussia Dortmund's Flemming Poulsen, Brondy's John Jensen, FC Cologne's Henrik Andersen, or the AS Monaco veteran John Sivebaek.
The Netherlands were huge favourites before the semifinal match. As defending champions they had made it to the quarterfinals of the 1990 World Cup, only to lose to the later champions of Germany, and the final of this tournament was widely expected to be a clash between the two giants. They had already faced one another in the group stages, where the Dutch had won 3-1, and after defeating Scotland and tying the CIS, they had every reason to be confident against the Danish minnows. The side had the AC Milan trio as its dynamo: captain Ruud Gullit, Frank Riijkaard, and the best striker in the world, Marco Van Basten. In defense FC Barcelona's Ronald Koeman was also a powerful free-kick taker, and the young Dennis Bergkamp from Ajax Amsterdam gave the team further attacking power.
The Netherlands were rightly considered to be one of the best teams in the world, and they also entered the pitch as a team that had won beforehand. But the Danes, without the pressure of expectation, were ready to give everything in a match that became an epic struggle.
The Dutch team had barely settled into the match when Brian Laudrup got through on the right side, and from the back line centered into the Dutch area. At the far post a completely unmarked Henrik Larsen from Lyngby, could easily head the ball in behind Hans Van Breukelen to the surprise of everyone present. While the goal may have given the Danes some belief, the Dutch side quickly shook the initial shock and put pressure on the Danes. 18 Minutes after the Danish goal, Dennis Bergkamp equalized for the Dutch when he received the ball from Frank Rijkaard at the edge of the Danish area and patiently placed the ball in the furthest corner of the Danish goal. But the Danes were unshaken, and ten minutes later the Danes went ahead again. Henrik Larsen was again the unlikely hero when he received a loose ball headed out of the Dutch area and resolutely took a shot.
Denmark were sensationally ahead 2-1 at half-time, deservedly, playing with a solid defense and a dangerous counter-attack. In the second half the hard-fighting Danish defense were tested again and again, and when the Dutch finally got through, their shots were saved by a splendid Peter Schmeichel. As the minutes ticked away it seemed as if they might pull the sensation, but four minutes before time Frank Rijkaard equalized for the Dutch when he hammered the ball in at close range after a corner kick.
Denmark continued fighting heroically in extra time, even pulling a few chances, and one man down when Henrik Andersen got his knee-cap destroyed in one of the most horrific TV injuries in modern football. In the end, both teams were dead-tired when the match ended, and it went into penalty shoot-out. Two great goalkeepers faced each other. On the Netherlands second kick, Peter Schmeichel saved Marco Van Basten's shot. A good save, but as Schmeichel later said, it was luck. And with some cool and much luck, the Danes scored on their subsequent shots until it came down to Kim Christofte's last shot. A cool and soft shot almost at the center of goal totally confused Van Breukelen, and the Danes had pulled out one of the most unlikely surprises in modern football, making it to the final, where they completed the sensation by defeating the German world champions 2-0, showing that their victory against the Dutch European champions had been no coincidence.
Gothenburg, 22nd June 1992 Nye Ullevi Stadium
Attendance: 37,450
Referee: Emilio S. Aladren, Spain
Netherlands-Denmark 2-2 (AET)
Penalty kicks: Netherlands-Denmark 4-5
Netherlands: Hans van Breukelen; Frank de Boer (Wim Kieft, 46), Ronald Koeman, Frank Rijkaard, Adri van Tiggelen, Ruud Gullit, Rob Witschge, Jan Wouters, Dennis Bergkamp, Bryan Roy (John vant Schip, 115), Marco van Basten. Coach: Rinus Michels
Denmark: Peter Schmeichel; Henrik Andersen, Kim Christofte, Lars Christian Olsen, Torben Piechnik, John Sivebaek, John Jensen, Henrik Larsen, Kim Vilfort, Brian Laudrup, Flemming Povlsen. Coach: Richard Møller Nielsen
Goals:
0-1 Larsen (5)
1-1 Bergkamp (23)
1-2 Larsen (33)
2-2 Rijkaard (86)
Penalty kicks:
1-0 Koeman
1-1 Larsen
Van Basten missed for the Netherlands
1-2 Povlsen
2-2 Bergkamp
2-3 Elstrup
3-3 Rijkaard
3-4 Vilfort
4-4 Witschge
4-5 Christofte
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)