The Euros-Part Five (1976 Edition)-part c (Quarterfinals)

Quartefinals

The Quarterfinals were to be played on home and away basis in the Spring of 1976 just months ahead of the Finals.

Czechoslovakia were paired with the Soviet Union, while Spain faced West Germany. Holland were to face their Belgian neighbors, while the Welsh would take on Yugoslavia.

The first legs were scheduled on April 24-25^th with the away Legs scheduled a month later on May 22^nd.

Czechoslovakia hosted the Soviets at Bratislava on April 24^th.  Jozef Móder would give Czechoslovakia the lead in the 34^th minute.

Antonin Panenka would double the lead with a free kick in the 47^th minute to give the Czechs a somewhat safe (2-0) advantage.

The Second Leg was held at Kiev at May 22^nd.  The Soviet starting lineup contained nine Dinamo Kiev players playing in their home stadium.

The Czechs were missing Panenka and Petras from the first leg, but they had Jan Pivarnik back in defense. Peter Gallis also played in place of Petras.

For the Soviets, Evgeny Rudakov was back in goal replacing Prokhorov. The Other changes included Muntyan, Burjak and Veremeyev replacing their Dinamo Kiev teammates Reshko, Matvienko and Kolotov in the starting lineup.

When Jozef Móder scored for the Czechs just before halftime, the tie was as good as sealed.

The Soviets fought back in the second half and Burjak pulled a goal back, but Moder struck again near the end. Just before the end, Blokhin scored to avoid another defeat but the Czechs were through.

Photo From: World Soccer, June 1976

(April 24, 1976, UEFA European Championships, Czechoslovakia 2-USSR 0)

Photo From: World Soccer, June 1976

(April 24, 1976, UEFA European Championships, Czechoslovakia 2-USSR 0)

Photo From: Футбол - Футбол-Хоккей, 1976 №22---30.05

(May 22, 1976, UEFA European Championships, USSR 2-Czechoslovakia 2)

On April 24^th, at Madrid, Spain would host West Germany for the first leg of their quarterfinal series.

The Germans were missing the injured Jupp Heynckes at the front; Ronald Worm would replace him in the squad.

Bayern Munich duo of Bernd Durnberger and Uli Hoeness were also out injured, along with Uli Stilieke.

The Spanish were missing their Captain Pirri, who missed a late fitness test.

Spain took the lead in the 21^st minute through Santillana.

Beer would tie the match for the West German with a along distance shot.

The tie was a better result for the Germans who were confident of winning at home.

Helmut Schoen said afterwards that the Spanish came out fighting in the first half, but in the second half, the Germans started to get back into the game after the Spanish had tired out. Schoen believed that nothing was decided yet.

The second Leg was held in Munich on May 22^nd. The Spanish started without their legendary goalkeeper Iribar. Miguel Angel took his spot in the net. The Spanish Captain Pirri was back for this match (replacing Benito) as was Asensi replacing his Barcelona teammate Migueli.

The Germans were still missing Heynckes. This time Klaus Toppmöller started upfront in his place instead of Worm. Uli Hoeness was also back in the squad.

Uli Hoeness would give the Germans the lead with an excellent volley. The debutant Toppmöller would have a goalscoring debut just before halftime to give the Germans a comfortable (2-0) lead and qualification.

Spanish Captain Pirri would go on to say that, “they are not World Champions for nothing.”

Photo From: Chronik des deutschen fussballs, 2005

(April 24, 1976, UEFA European Championships, Spain 1-West Germany 1)

Photo From: AS Color, Issue 258, April 27, 1976

(April 24, 1976, UEFA European Championships, Spain 1-West Germany 1)

Photo From: AS Color, Issue 258, April 27, 1976

(April 24, 1976, UEFA European Championships, Spain 1-West Germany 1)

Photo From: AS Color, Issue 262, May 25, 1976

(May 22, 1976, UEFA European Championships, West Germany 2-Spain 0)

Photo From: AS Color, Issue 262, May 25, 1976

(May 22, 1976, UEFA European Championships, West Germany 2-Spain 0)

Photo From: Don Balon, Issue 34, May 25, 1976

(May 22, 1976, UEFA European Championships, West Germany 2-Spain 0)

Photo From: Chronik des deutschen fussballs, 2005

(May 22, 1976, UEFA European Championships, West Germany 2-Spain 0)

Photo From: Onze, Issue 8, August 1976

(May 22, 1976, UEFA European Championships, West Germany 2-Spain 0)

On April 24^th, at Zagreb, Yugoslavia and Wales would start their quarterfinal series. Yugoslavia would take the lead from the onset from Momcilo Vukotic in the first minute. Danilo Popivoda would double Yugoslavia’s lead in the second half for a (2-0) lead in the series.

The return leg was on May 22^nd at Cardiff. Yugoslavia made four changes from the first leg. Enver Maric went in the net in place of Ognjen Petrovic.

In addition, Drago Vabec, Momcilo Vukotic and Jovan Acimovic were replaced in the squad with Hajduk Split trio of Slavisa Zungul, Borislav Djordjevic and Jure Jerkovic.

Wales would make only one change; David Frazer Roberts came in for Rodney John Thomas.

Yugoslavia took the lead in the 18^th minute through a penalty kick by Josip Katalinski. This effectively sealed the series, though Wales did fight back. Twenty minutes later, Ian Peter Evans would tie the match for Wales to give them some hope.

A John Toshack strike that was ruled out led to some crowd trouble. Disgruntled fans came onto the pitch to protest. The performance of the East German Referee Rudolf Glöckner would be criticized. Wales would exit the series.

Photo From: (Magazine Source unknown) / Contribution From a blog viewer (special thanks to Predrag Cvijetic)

(April 24, 1976, UEFA European Championships, Yugoslavia 2-Wales 0)

Photo From: (Magazine Source unknown) / Contribution From a blog viewer (special thanks to Predrag Cvijetic)

(April 24, 1976, UEFA European Championships, Yugoslavia 2-Wales 0)

Photo From: (Magazine Source unknown) / Contribution From a blog viewer (special thanks to Predrag Cvijetic)

(April 24, 1976, UEFA European Championships, Yugoslavia 2-Wales 0)

Photo From: (Magazine Source unknown) / Contribution From a blog viewer (special thanks to Predrag Cvijetic)

(April 24, 1976, UEFA European Championships, Yugoslavia 2-Wales 0)

Photo From: World Soccer, July 1976

(May 22, 1976, UEFA European Championships, Wales 1-Yugoslavia 1)

Photo From: World Soccer, July 1976

(May 22, 1976, UEFA European Championships, Wales 1-Yugoslavia 1)

Photo From: (Magazine Source unknown) / Contribution From a blog viewer (special thanks to Predrag Cvijetic)

(May 22, 1976, UEFA European Championships, Wales 1-Yugoslavia 1)

Photo From: (Magazine Source unknown) / Contribution From a blog viewer (special thanks to Predrag Cvijetic)

(May 22, 1976, UEFA European Championships, Wales 1-Yugoslavia 1)

Photo From: (Magazine Source unknown) / Contribution From a blog viewer (special thanks to Predrag Cvijetic)

(May 22, 1976, UEFA European Championships, Wales 1-Yugoslavia 1)

On April 25^th, at Rotterdam, Holland took on Belgium. The two sides had met in the 1974 World Cup qualifiers and the Dutch had been unable to breach the Belgian defense in two scoreless matches.

However, the Dutch would run riot in this encounter and come away (5-0) winners. Wim Rijsbergen would open the scoring for the Dutch before Rensenbrink with a hat trick and Neeskens with a penalty dashed any Belgian hopes.

This ended Raymond Goethals tenure as Belgium Manager and he resigned.

Guy Thys would take over for the second Leg in Brussles on May 22^nd and would ring the changes. Christian Piot was replaced in the net with the up and coming Jean-Marie Pfaff. In addition, Eric Gerets, Georges Leekens, Ludo Coeck and Raoul Lambert were repalced with Michel Renquin, Robert Dalving, Francois van der Elst and Willy Wellens.

The Dutch made only one change. Willy van de Kerkhof started in place of Wim Jansen. The Dutch were just too good for the Belgians. Despite falling behind to a van Gool strike, the Dutch stormed back in the second half with Rep scoring the equalizer and Cruyff scoring an exquisite goal from a narrow angle.

Photo From : Onze, Issue 5, May 1976

(April 25, 1976, UEFA European Championships, Holland 5-Belgium 0)

Photo From : Mondial, Old Series, Issue 2, March 1977

(April 25, 1976, UEFA European Championships, Holland 5-Belgium 0)

Photo From : Onze, Issue 12, December 1976

(April 25, 1976, UEFA European Championships, Holland 5-Belgium 0)

Photo From : Rode Duivels & Oranje Leeuwen., 100 jaar Derby der Lage Landen, Authors Ralf Willems, Matty Verkamman, 2001

(April 25, 1976, UEFA European Championships, Holland 5-Belgium 0)

Photo From: (Magazine Source unknown) / Contribution From a blog viewer (Holland squad, April 25, 1976, UEFA European Championships, Holland 5-Belgium 0)

Photo From: Rode Duivels & Oranje Leeuwen., 100 jaar Derby der Lage Landen, Authors Ralf Willems, Matty Verkamman

(May 22, 1976, UEFA European Championships, Belgium 1-Holland 2)

Photo From: Rode Duivels & Oranje Leeuwen., 100 jaar Derby der Lage Landen, Authors Ralf Willems, Matty Verkamman, 2001 (2)

(Johann Cruyff, May 22, 1976, UEFA European Championships, Belgium 1-Holland 2)