Euro 80 – classic matches

West Germany 3-2 Holland
The Dutch met the German’s in Naples in the highest attended match in the group when the strong 50,000 crowd were treated to a brilliant display of creative and attacking football. It took the German’s only 15 minutes to score through a goal Klaus Allofs, he went on to collect a hatrick of goals by the end of the match, the West Germans were in the commanding position of three goals up mid way through the second half. As the play swung from end to end, the Dutch refused to surrender and pulled back two goals through Willy Van Der Kerkhof, despite the late onslaught they were unable to find an equalizer in the remaining minutes.

Belgium 2-1 Spain

Spain were coming on the back of a draw against the Italians and Belgium were on good form going into the game. Belgium coasted into the lead after 17 minutes through a goal by Geretes, Spain began searching for the elusive equalizer and it came with ten minutes remaining of the half by Quini. Belgium came back into the match strongly and recaptured the lead twenty minutes into the second half through Cools, they then threatened to run riot as the Spaniards began to look weary. The score finished 2-1 to the Belgians and they topped the table looking forward to what seemed at this point to be a potential final.

West Germany 2-1 Belgium   Final
The final lived up to the expectations you expect to see in the final of a major tournament. West Germany were the too first lunge forward, and in only the fifth minute, Pfaff, the Belgium goalkeeper just managed to tip a Muller shot into the Belgian net. Belgium had difficulty getting back into the match after trailing 1-0. They were most fortunate to go into the second half only being one goal down. The German midfielder Briegel, went off during the beginning of the second half injured and consequently the German midfield fell apart, Belgium took full advantage of the situation and with only twenty minutes remaining Stielike fouled Van Der Elst on the edge of the box and the referee controversially awarded Belgium with a penalty. Van Der Eychen duly leveled from the penalty spot and the match was now wide open. The German substitute Cullman finally began to get in touch with the pattern of the game. With only moments remaining Hrubesch headed into the Belgium net from a corner to break the deadlock. For all the West German’s determination and attacking play, they certainly deserved the victory.