The European Championships evolved from a four-team event to an eight team affair in 1980 and although that particular edition was somewhat tame, in 1984 and 1988, Europe was treated to two excellent tournaments in France and Germany respectively. Prior … Continue reading The Euros – 1976 to 1988: Penalties, Platini and volleys
IT SEEMS amazing that it took until 1985 for Juventus to win their first European Cup. They had gone close prior to that, losing 1-0 in both 1973 (Ajax) and 1983 (Hamburg), but they invariably under-achieved in the competition. Sadly, … Continue reading Europe’s Champions: Juventus 1985
IT SEEMS amazing that it took until 1985 for Juventus to win their first European Cup. They had gone close prior to that, losing 1-0 in both 1973 (Ajax) and 1983 (Hamburg), but they invariably under-achieved in the competition. Sadly, … Continue reading Europe’s Champions: Juventus 1984-85
So UEFA has announced its structure for Euro 2020, supposedly the most democratic competition to be launched by the grandees of Nyon. Michel Platini wanted to spread the love and bring the Euros to the masses. Group games are going to be hosted across the continent and so, too, will the round of 16 and quarter-finals. And then, it’s over to Wembley with the semi-finals and final in the same location. Isn’t that what we had in 1976? While it’s logical to have games in Glasgow, London, Brussels, Amsterdam, Munich, Budapest, Rome, Bucharest, Bilbao and so on, it’s strange that … Continue reading Baku for the future – another case of Nyonism
So Monsieur Platini looks to be getting his way and the European Championship will become a multi-centre holiday for the suits of UEFA. While it is understandable that the continent should make allowances for an economic crisis that clearly everyone expects to still be in full swing in 2020 (it could be even worse!), this move may well signal the end of the tournament. Why? It will basically mean that after the usual protracted qualifying tournament, the 24-team format will move to another dispersed mini qualifying tournament before settling down into a centralized semi-final and final structure in one location. … Continue reading Platini’s wrong – multi-centre Euro will spell the end
