S5 Ep2: Euro 88 special (matchday 1)

Nessun Dorma Retro Football Podcast

Our look back at Euro 88 continues with the first round of group games. On Friday 10 June 1988, the tournament kicked off with a tense match between West Germany, the hosts and favourites, and a vibrant young Italian side.

The other Group A game took place the following afternoon, a thrilling if slightly shambolic contest between Denmark and Spain. There were five goals and a fair bit of controversy, but the highlight for English audiences was a brief, comic loss of temper from the usually immaculate Barry Davies.

In Group B, two of the pre-tournament favourites – England and the Netherlands – got underway. England faced an FA Cup tie against the Republic of Ireland, whose 20-man squad included 16 England-based players.

In the evening we finally got to see the Netherlands, including their Ballon d’Or-winning captain Ruud Gullit. They took on European Championship royalty: the USSR.

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