YOURO 2016 November 2015
Featuring:
• History of the Euros • YOUR predictions • Wales special
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The European Championships: A brief history Germany ‘72
France ‘84
Holland ‘88
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Coincidentally, as this year’s tournament is held in France, a Frenchman invented the European Championships. Henri Delauney, of whom the trophy is named after, first had the idea of the European Championships in 1927 but the first tournament did not start until 1960, 5 years after his death. The inaugural tournament, held in France, only had four teams. It was won by the Soviet Union, in their only international success before and since its breakup. Interestingly, 3 out of the 4 teams were communist countries and have since broken up: USSR, Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia. The 1964 tournament was hosted and won by Spain, who beat the defending Soviet champions 2-1 in the final. Spain, still under the influence of General Franco, saw their only success then until there ’golden generation’ of 2008-2012. It was the same story in ’68 as hosts Italy went on to win the competition in dubious circumstances. Italy went through to the final by the toss of a coin as the game ended 0-0 with the Soviet Union. This was before the invention of penalty shootouts and this farcical episode saw the birth of them. By Euro ’72 the game had changed. Television screens across the globe could watch the game in full colour and the game began to become commercialised with the introduction of boot sponsors and advertisements. It had changed on the pitch too as this tournament saw the emergence of the famed
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1970’s German national team, led by ‘Der Kaiser’ Franz Beckenbauer. With ‘Der Bomber’ Gerd Muller up top, the Germans lifted the trophy for the first time.
‘Der Kaiser’s’ iconic kit
Germany made the final again four years later in 1976 where they were beaten by Czechoslovakia on penalties. Czech player Antonin Panenka become a household name after he scored the winning penalty by cheekily chipping the ball down the middle of the goal. That style of penalty has since become known as the ‘Panenka penalty’. The Germans were back on top in 1980 with a new look team in a new look tournament. The German greats of the 70’s had moved on for a new generation of top class players. Also, the tournament, held in Italy, was the first to contain 8 teams, expanding from 4. This meant there was now a group stages to the tournament, widening its appeal across Europe and the world. The tournament of 1984 is one of the most famous European Championships for mainly one reason: Michel Platini. He was the poster
boy for the tournament as it was held in his native France and he led them to the title on home soil. He scored an incredible 9 goals in 5 matches from his attacking midfield position. A magician at the peak of powers, one of the greatest to ever play the beautiful game. Euro ’88 is also one of the best remembered championships. The Dutch tasted glory for the first and only time in their entire history. Playing ‘total football’ coached by revolutionary Rinus Michels, they also had the AC Milan trio of Marco Van Basten, Ruud Gullit and Frank Rijkaard.
Poster boy
Van Basten’s volley goal in the final against the USSR is one of the most famous goals in footballing history, never mind Euro history. Sweden held the 1992 edition of the championships and reached the semi-finals. However, Scandinavian neighbours Denmark notoriously won the tournament after not even qualifying. The Denmark players came ‘off the beaches’ to take Yugoslavia’s place in the tournament as they were removed from it due to the ongoing war in their country. The Danes, starring the
Laudrup brothers, beat the ever present Germans 2-0 in the final.
The most famous goal in Euro history?
The British Isles saw their first ever Euro’s in 1996 where it was held in England. The hosts reached the semis where they agonisingly lost on penalties. Scotland were also knocked out in painful circumstances where they went out of the group on goals scored. The Germans, who knocked England out, won the competition for a record (at the time, it has since been equalled by Spain) third time. Euro 2000 was hosted by both Belgium and Holland and contained 16 teams. France, led by a new star attacking midfield named Zinedine Zidane, beat Italy 2-1 in the final. France were lucky to win after scoring a late equaliser and then a golden goal to clinch it from the Italians grasp. Greece’s victory in the 2004 Euro’s is perhaps the greatest feat of the competition to date. With little attacking threat, the Greeks masterminded their way to the title with a tight back line and posing a threat from set pieces. Charisteas headed the only goal in the final
against hosts Portugal, which signalled the end of a star studded team but the emergence of a boy who would be king: Cristiano Ronaldo. Iberian rivals Spain saw their ‘golden generation’ finally come to fruition after years of threatening to do so in 2008. The tournament in Austria and Switzerland was a success with lots of attacking football on display and surprise packages in both Russia and Turkey, who made semi-finals respectively. Spain became the first team to defend their title when they won the 2012 edition hosted in Poland and Ukraine. It was the perfection of the Barcelona inspired ‘tika taka’ football as they deployed no orthodox strikers in what became known as the ‘False 9’ formation. This capped a stunning four years for the Spaniards, who had won the World Cup in between their two European triumphs. So what can we expect of Euro 2016? The tournament has expanded furthermore to 24 teams so expect even more upsets than before. The Germans start as favourites after winning the World Cup in Brazil two years ago, and Spain haven’t lost a game at the Euro’s since 2004. But who could write off France? A well balanced side with the whole nation behind them and another special midfielder in the middle of the park. Can new poster boy Paul Pogba lead ‘Les Blues’ to victory like his predecessors Platini and Zidane?
That is the question we’ll all be asking on the 10th of June 2016.
Germany’s 1972 training jacket
A European fitxture pass- a players’ essential next summer
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PROOST!
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Football is something that most European countries, especially those who have qualified for the summer’s European Championship, pride themselves on. However, chasing a ball around a pitch isn’t the only thing they feel proud about. Beer, is a nations pride and joy. If you go to Italy, an Italian man will tell you that his beer is the best in the world. If you go to Holland, a Dutch man will tell you that his beer is the best in the world. And so on. But whose beer truly is the best? There’s only one way to find out. If you ever visit Amsterdam then the Heineken museum is a must-see. There you get to see close up what makes Heineken the ‘best beer in the world’. Or so they’ll tell you. But it is hard to disagree. The name Heineken is everywhere, be it a James Bond film or the Champions League final. Whether that’s due to the genius ‘smiling E’s’ in the brand name or because it tastes so good I’m not sure. But it certainly does taste good. When in the museum you can see how the hops make the beer taste as it does and you truly begin to appreciate the effort that goes into an everyday pint. On the slightly more expensive scale Dutch beer is still affordable and stylish for sure. And did you know, contrasting British counterparts, Dutch people love the head of the beer. The more the merrier for them. Strange.
Can you see the smiling ‘E’s’?
Germany are the World Champions in football and they’ll tell you they are the World Champions in beer too. Perhaps the most famed beer drinking country in Europe due to such events as Oktoberfest, the German’s certainly do love their beer. Beer steins, a one litre tankard designed purely for drinking beer, come from the heart of Bavaria and are re-known throughout the world. And when you can buy a Stein for only €4 then it doesn’t get much better. In fact, it does. Ever heard of a beer shoe? Neither had I until I went to Germany. Lo and behold, the two litre boot is nearly the size of a baby. The best so far.
A perfect German beer
The Czech Republic borders the South of Germany and qualified for the Euro’s after missing out on the last World Cup. But something they certainly don’t miss out on is the beer consumption. Prague is a stag-do hotspot as the beer and ‘nightlife’ is as cheap as it gets. And Prague certainly lives up to its name. Right in the centre of the old town where you would expect prices to be their highest, there are hundreds of small pubs that serve beer at an alarmingly low price. Just below the castle and before Charles Bridge you can find this small tavern that serves beer at the Czech equivalent of 80 pence. And it does a great goulash too. Czech’s appreciate beer so much that side dishes on a menu come under the title of ‘with beer’. Beer is not an option, it’s a necessity. Top marks.
The most famous Czech beer
Austria is a nation that has the right to brag about its football and its beer. Often overshadowed by her big sister Germany, Austria is a force to be reckoned with. Whether it is in a beer garden in Vienna or up the mountains in Innsbruck, the beer is sure to be classy. Austrian beer tastes similar to German and Czech beer,
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Above: Beer tasting in Amsterdam Below: What do Czech’s prefer?
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almost a mix between the two. It tasted like a good European beer should. Strong but tasty, even a bit sour. Unfortunately, it cannot compare to the price of Czech beer the style of Dutch beer or the taste of German.
An Austrian beer can
Finally we come onto Italian beer. Slightly different from the other nation’s beers it has that taste of Mediterranean. Peroni or Nastro Azzurro are very old and popular, not just in Italy but all over Europe. The beer is reasonably priced too, but not the cheapest we’ve seen. Birra Moretti is also a favourite, and is owned by a little Dutch company called Heineken. Some people’s thing but not for me, regardless of their football prestige.
Beer and burger British special
So, what is the best beer? Is it the Dutch style, the German taste or the cheap Czech. What about Scottish beer, can you beat a bit of Tennent’s? Yes, seems to be the answer. Ah well, we didn’t qualify anyway.
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SCOTLAND V POLAND: THE DREAM CRUSHER
Hampden Park before kick off
As the much-feared Polish number 9 bundled the ball over the line you only had to look at the crowd to tell what had happened. Poland had made it to next summers major tournament and Scotland again hadn’t. The start of the campaign last autumn was cause for much optimism. Gordon Strachan had brought a fresh impetus to the national side, including two wins against Croatia at the end of World Cup qualifying. A narrow loss to Germany followed by an away draw to Poland and then three wins on the trot against the groups lesser teams left Scotland with the best chance of qualifying in 12 years. A well earned draw against Ireland at the start of summer this year meant Scotland needed only seven points from their last four games to make it to France next summer. Then disaster struck. A fatal away defeat to Georgia in Tbilisi combined with a 3-2 loss against Germany meant Scotland had to beat Poland at Hampden to stand a chance of qualifying. The game at Hampden promised a rowdy atmosphere as at least 10,000 Polish fans, notorious for their riotous behaviour, flooded in through the gates. The Tartan Army however, would without a doubt refuse to be out sang, especially on their own turf. Both sets of fans were loud as the game kicked off, the tension having risen after Polish flares were let off during the national anthems. Robert Lewandowski, the world’s most fearsome striker, had scored within the first five minutes of the game to send the Polish masses into raptures. One could be forgiven for thinking it was a home game for Poland at that point. Flares and flashes a plenty were released by the crowd, questioning the security at the stadium-something that must be looked at following November’s attacks in Paris. Scotland continued to soak up pressure until Matt Ritchie smashed the ball home from 25 yards on the stroke of half time. The Hampden roar could be heard at the interval with ’Loch Lomond’ ringing around the arena.
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The game was perfectly poised to go either way. Scotland came out with a renewed tempo to their play and were rewarded when Steven Fletcher, much criticised throughout the campaign, curled inform 30 yards out. The sense of optimism and hope restored. Were Scotland about to qualify for their first Euros in 20 years? Almost. Matt Ritchie went from hero to villain after he gave away a needless foul at the edge of his own box in the 94th minute. As Krychowiak stepped over the ball you could feel the two sets of fans on their seat. Was it ever not going to go in? We are Scotland after all. A poor free kick deflects off two men and hits the inside of the post. The ball, almost mockingly, rolls along the goal line. And sure enough Lewandowski was there first to ensure Scotland’s misery. Utter disbelief amongst the Scotland faithful was matched with unrivalled Polish joy. Agony and ecstasy. Now questions must be asked- where do we go from here? Is Strachan the right man for the job? Only time will tell. And there’s always next year.
Above: Flares in the Polish end during the anthems Below: Polish flags after Lewnaodwski puts them 1-0 up
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VICTORY SHIELD 2015
The national anthems of Scotland and Northern Ireland
Scotland may not have qualified for Euro 2016 but the future is bright for our nations footballing hopes. Scotland Under 16’s recently entered the 2015 Victory Shield, of which they had high expectations. We followed their campaign to see if they are worth keeping an eye on in the future. This year’s Victory Shield took place without England, who were replaced by the Republic of Ireland. The tournament was being held at Dragon Park in Newport, the new home of Welsh football. Scotland opened their campaign by playing the hosts on a very misty evening. The early exchanges were cagey with each side having a few have chances and both keepers playing well. Scotland edged in front after an Antoniazzi corner was flicked on by
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Mayo and then looped back across goal and into the far post by left back Church. Church had been struggling earlier in the game from Wales’ pacey winger Matonda. Scotland were then on top and continued to dominate until Wales scored with almost the final kick off the half, an uncontested header from an in swinging corner that asked questions of Scotland’s keeper. The game was similar in the second half with chances going to both sides but Scotland deservedly got a scrappy winner five minutes from time when Houston bundled the ball home. Scotland made nine changes from the team that beat Wales for the game against Northern Ireland. Only Captain Mayo and powerhouse Middleton kept their places. It was evident from the off
off that it was a much weakened Scotland team playing as they struggled to retain possession and grab a hold of the game. Despite Middleton hitting the crossbar midway through the first half, Scotland were lucky to go into the break at 0-0 after a poor Northern Ireland side had been wasteful. Scotland didn’t make any changes at half time and were punished for it as Northern Ireland took the lead in the 60th minute. Scotland tried to salvage the game by bringing on star player Aitchison but it was too little too late as Scotland slumped to a needless 1-0 loss. Due to other results by the time the final game of the tournament came about Scotland’s chances of winning back the shield were limited. They fielded a team similar to that of the Wales game to
play against the Republic of Ireland. The two teams fought hard with the Republic taking the lead early on, only to be pegged back by Scotland. The game ended a fair 1-1 draw. Scotland finished the tournament in a respectable second place, despite beating the eventual winners Wales. Even though this young group of lads didn’t emerge victorious they showed they have got the ability to go far. With the right coaching you never know where they could go. Watch this space.
Scotland 0-1 Northern Ireland
Dragon Park: the new home of Welsh football.
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YOURO 2016: Predictions
Since this is YOURO§ 2016 we like to hear what your memories, hopes and dreams for the European Championships are. We spoke to three die hard football fans Aidan Moffat, Michael Dunthorne and Stuart Alexander to see what they have to say. ’What are your memories of previous European Championships?’ : “The first euros I remember was the 2004 championship. I was seven years old at the time and was in Portugal, where it was held, at the time of the event. I remember Portugal beating England on penalties in the quarter final and the hotel I was staying at had a sour atmosphere as most holiday makers were English. I also remember the final where Portugal lost to Greece and my dad made us stay in the hotel that night because of trouble on the streets.” : “One of the memories that stands out in my mind is the 2012 quarter final, England vs Italy. Italy had more possession and were perhaps the better team but Andy Carroll played the best I’ve ever seen him play. He brought the ball down so well and brought others into play. Although England did go out on penalties.” : “My earliest memory would be 2004 when Greece beat Portugal. I was starting to gain an interest in football. Portugal were a big team with players like Cristiano Ronaldo who you watch on TV all the time. So watching Greece win was strange for someone trying to grow up to be Cristiano Ronaldo.” ’What do you expect from this year’s tournament?’ : “I expect a few shocks in terms of which team’s progress into the later stages of the tournament. Looking at the qualification matches it’s clear to see that some smaller nations such Wales and Northern Ireland are catching up with the teams who traditionally do well at the tournament like Holland. I expect the home nations to be very strong but I can’t see past the Germans.”
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: “I believe this year’s Euros will be a disappointment, not just because Scotland haven’t qualified. The general quality of European players isn’t what it used to be. I think Ronaldo will struggle and not live up to expectation. France will win the tournament.” : “I’d like to see France do well as home nation. You can never write off Germany. They are a very good outfit and I enjoyed watching them in the World Cup. You can’t not enjoy watching them play well.” ’’Who will win the Golden Boot?’ : “Thomas Muller. A goal machine for club and country. A man in the prime of his footballing career he is.” : “Karim Benzema will score the most goals. I think France will also score the most goals. Although Germany won the World Cup I think this time France, comfortably.” : “Possibly Lewandowski. His form this year has been unreal so I can’t see why he wouldn’t be top scorer.” ’Which home nation will you back and why?’ : “I’ll back England to go the furthest as they won all ten of their qualifying matches. This team now has the right blend of youth and experience and with English strikers starting to dominate the Premier League goal scoring leader boards there’s no reason why they can’t go the distance.” : “I will be supporting England because I have English family and I don’t like the ‘anyone but England’ culture that has developed in Scotland. We support the English clubs and watch the English league every week so I see no reason not to support the national team.” : “I’d like to see Wales do well this summer as this is a completely new field for them. I can’t see why they wouldn’t perform at it, I’d like to see them do well and hopefully progress.”
If you think you have the inside scoop on next summer’s European Championship then send us and email to youro2016@gmail.com or find us on social media. If we think your predictions are worthy then they might feature in next months magazine.
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Wales: The Land of Our Fathers
World superstar Gareth Bale
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Wales qualified for their first and now sit 15th in the FIFA ever European ChampionWorld rankings. So what ship in October after the is expected of them next culmination of a magnifisummer? cent qualifying campaign. Spearheaded by poster boys Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey and led by skipper Ashley Williams and gaffer Chris Coleman, Wales have real belief going into their first major tournament since 1958. But how did Wales make it to the Euro’s and how far can they go? As soon as Wales were drawn into their qualifying group they knew they had a chance. With Belgium the Bale is known for his hairstyle only team easily better than them and that the top two Wales go into the tourin the group automatically nament as a ‘dark horse’. qualify gave them a real Not expected to get too far shout. However, Wales have but if they pull some form one thing no other countogether then they could try has. Gareth Bale. Bale surprise many. And Wales became the world’s most can feed off previous sucexpensive ever player in cesses in European Cham2013 when he cost Real Ma- pionships from teams like drid £85million. In his first Denmark and Greece, both season he scored winning who won their respective goals in the Copa del Rey tournaments when neither and the Champions League were fancied to do so. Like finals. Then began the qual- Wales, Denmark were built ifying campaign for Wales. upon a defensive core with Coleman has completely Schmeichel in goal, allowing based his team around Bale, the two Laudrup brothers adopting an extremely unto go and play. Greece were orthodox 5-3-1-1 formation even less attacking and won in an attempt to concede as Euro 2004 with very little few as possible and freeing firepower. With 24 teams up Bale, allowing him to at this year’s Euros, Wales win games for them. And can expect to get out of the the plan worked perfectly. group and probably have a Wales only lost one of ten winnable last 16 tie. Then games and only conceded comes the tough stuff. But four goals, one of the best with Holland not having defensive records in qualqualified, Italy and Spain as ifying. Bale himself scored weak as they have been in seven of Wales eleven goals, the last 15 years and having and assisting another three. taken four points off BelWales finished comfortably gium in qualifying, who do finished second in the group Wales have to fear?
Bale: From small Welsh boy to the leader of the nation
Well, if they can avoid France and Germany then they have a good chance of getting to a very special place. A land their fathers of 1958 couldn’t even have dreamed of.
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