A dozen countries have gone through a European Championship group stage with a perfect record, but only three have gone on to win it. Spain have messed up.
The lack of home nations in France meant that only two matches of Euro 1984 were broadcast on British TV: Spain’s last-minute group-stage win over West Germany and the final, pitting Miguel Munoz’s side against the dominant hosts., Jean Tigana and Alain Giresse was thus seen only once on these shores as the 1982 World Cup semi-finalists won every game and subsequently their first major honour.
That semi-final between Italy and Netherlands was tantalising as both went in with perfect records. But while the former built their progress on a sturdy defence with some phenomenal talents trusted to work independently further forward, the latter embraced their traditions as a stylish attacking team.
Ivan Klasnic had put them a goal up in the 119th minute of their quarter-final with Turkey, only for Semih Senturk to equalise moments later. Modric, who had netted a penalty in their opening win of a low-scoring group over Austria, was clearly shattered as he missed the first spot-kick of an unsuccessful shootout that sent Turkey through to the semi-final.
A free-flowing game for the neutral followed as Greece were dispatched in the quarter-finals, yet it was Italy who put a stop to Die Mannschaft in the semis. It was a little like jumping in front of a bullet, mind, as Spain proceeded to thrash the Azzurri 4-0 in the final for their troubles.Another tournament of promise and expectation was actually backed up by Belgium at Euro 2020, before the Golden Generation added another chapter to their story of glorious failure.
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