1984 European football championships

 

The 1984 European Championships took place in France and Michel Platini demonstrated that he was without doubt one of the worlds greatest players. He captained France, the host nation, to victory not only with subliming vision and skills, he also scored an amazing 9 of Frances 15 goals. Two years previously in the World Cup in Spain, France proved that they were a team of great attacking flair but were still haunted by their memories of their catastrophic defeat at the hands of the Germans in the Semi Final in Spain. France’s excellent football gave them a 2- 0 cushion during extra time, however inexplicably, instead of defending their lead they conceded two late goals and lost on penalties. France rifled their way into the semi finals in the 1984 European championships. They were to face Portugal in the semi- Finals in a match played at Marseille. Once again it was a semi – final match that went into extra time, however on this occasion France went behind to a goal from Portuguese player Jordao in the 96th minute. The French then showed a great deal of tenacity. With only five minutes remaining Domergue equalized and then the dreaded penalty shoot out was to await both sides. However Platini fired home a cross from Tigana into the Portuguese net to hand the French with a 2-1 victory and a passport into the 1984 European Championship final.
The other semi –final match was between Spain and Denmark. Spain won the encounter on penalties.
The French were fancied to win the final; they had comfortably beaten Denmark, Belgium and Yugoslavia in the group stage and scraped past Portugal in the Semi – Final. Spain were lucky to reach the final, during the group phase they managed only one victory to the expense of West Germany. Their two opening matches were draws against Romania and Portugal.
The final was held in Paris on June 27th and proved to be a great encounter between the two nations. France went into the final without ever winning a major tournament. Chances fell to both teams in the first half, however by the end of the first period the score line was goalless. In the 16th minute of the second half, France took the lead. It resulted from a curling free kick from Platini on the edge of the penalty area, the Spanish goalkeeper allowed the ball to slip out of his hands and into the net, to this day it is arguably the most bizarre goal in the European Championships history.
With six minutes remaining France were down to ten men when Le Roux was sent off for his second bookable offence. Spain then attacked the French goal. With only seconds remaining, the entire Spanish side were deep in the French half, Tigana cleared the ball over their heads and into the path of Bellone. He ran into the Spanish half and chipped the ball over Arconada to make it 2-0, and France were the European Champions and now had one their first major tournament. Michel Platini without a doubt was the main star of the tournament.

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