My guest is Aidan Williams, whose new book Euro 1984: The Greatest Tournament You Never Saw.
Back when the Euros was a proper elite eight-team tournament, France provided a sublime and dramatic tournament spearheaded by Michel Platini, who bagged nine goals in just five games as France won its first major tournament.
Here’s a summary of what we discuss:
Television Coverage: Euro 1984 was not widely televised in the UK, with only two live games shown, leading to it being lesser-known among British fans.
France’s Journey: We discuss France’s path to victory, including their win in the final and the critical role of Michel Platini, who scored in every game.
Qualifying Drama: Several dramatic moments during the qualifiers are discussed, including Denmark’s rise, England’s failure to qualify, and the surprising eliminations of Italy and the Soviet Union.
Denmark’s Emergence: Denmark’s transformation into a formidable team, known as “Danish Dynamite,” was a key storyline, with notable players like Preben Elkjær and Michael Laudrup.
Northern Ireland and Wales: Northern Ireland’s notable victories over West Germany and Wales’ near-qualification highlighted the competitiveness and unpredictability of the qualifiers.
Spain’s Controversial Path: Spain’s dramatic qualification, which included a 12-1 victory over Malta, raised suspicions and discussions about the fairness and integrity of the match.
Tournament Format: Euro 1984’s eight-team format is contrasted with modern tournaments, emphasising its elite and competitive nature.
Portugal as a Surprise Package: Portugal’s chaotic yet impressive run to the semi-finals is detailed, with Fernando Chalana being a standout player despite the team’s internal divisions.
The Final Match: We look at France v Spain, focusing on Platini’s decisive free kick and Bruno Bellone’s goal, sealing France’s first major international trophy.
Here’s that epic France v Portugal semi-final match we discuss. Quite incredible:
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