Soccer Nostalgia

Articles on Teams and Events-Part 9

2012-03-10T16:26:00.002-08:00

An article about Friendlies at Wembley

(Magazine / Language : Unknown, 1988? / English)

Special thanks to Chris Mitchell of UK for submitting

Friendlies at Wembley

An article about the kidnapping of Spanish and Barcelona striker Enrique ‘Quini’ Castro Gonzalez in 1981

(Magazine / Language : Foot Magazine, April 1984 / French)

kidnapping of Enrique ‘Quini’

Photo from: Spain '82, The Winning of the World Cup, Authors Phil Soar and Richard Widdows

(Quini with Spain during 1982 World cup)

Club profile on Barcelona during 1976/77 season

(Magazine / Language : Onze, March 1977 / French)

Club profile on Barcelona

Photo from : Onze, March 1977

(Barcelona 1976/77)

Player Profiles-Part 9

2012-03-09T15:32:00.002-08:00

A double profile on France’s Laurent Blanc and Sweden’s Peter Larsson

(Magazine / Language : World Soccer, September 1991 / English)

Laurent Blanc / Peter Larsson Profile

Photo from: Onze-Mondial, March 1992

(Laurent Blanc in action for France, February 19, 1992, England 2-France 0)

Photo from: Onze, March 1988

(Peter Larsson vs. Italy’s Fernando de Napoli, November 14, 1987, EC Qualifier, Italy 2-Sweden 1)

A double profile on AS Roma’s Brazilian Midfielder Falcao and Italian Bruno Conti from two different magazines

(Magazine / Language : Mondial, April 1983 / French)

(Magazine / Language : Foot Magazine, November 1982 / Belgian French)

Falcao / Bruno Conti Profile 1

Falcao / Bruno Conti Profile 2

Photo From: Foot Magazine, November 1982

(Teammates Falcao and Bruno Conti)

A double profile on Brazil’s Domingos Da Guia and Paraguay’s Arsenio Erico

(Magazine / Language : Calcio 2000, April 1999/ Italian)

Domingos Da Guia / Arsenio Erico Profile

Photo From: Calcio 2000, April 1999

(Domingos Da Guia vs. Italy’s Silvio Piola, June 16, 1938, World cup, Italy 2-Brazil 1)

Interviews-Part 12

2012-03-08T15:38:00.001-08:00

An interview with German striker Jurgen Klinnsman

(Magazine / Language : Goal, April 1996 / English)

Jurgen Klinnsman Interview

Photo From: Chronik des deutschen fussballs, 2005

(Klinnsman captaining Germany, March 29, 1995, EC Qualifier, Georgia 0-Germany 2)

An interview with French player Alain Giresse

(Magazine / Language : Onze, October 1980 / French)

Alain Giresse Interview

Photo From: Onze, October 1980

(Bordeaux’s Alain Giresse)

An interview with East German Joachim Streich

(Magazine / Language : Kicker, April 12, 1990 / German)

Joachim Streich Interview

Photo From: Die Geschichte der Fussball Nationalmanschaft, Author: Dietrich Schulze-Marmeling (Hrsg)

(Joachim Streich in action for East Germany)

Old Team Photographs-Part 2

2012-03-07T19:23:00.001-08:00

Photo From: Scotland, The Team, Author Andrew Ward, 1987

(Scotland squad, April 7, 1906, Home Championship, Scotland 2-England 1)

Photo From: Beli Orlovi, 1920-1941, Author: Vasa Stojkovic

(Yugoslavia squad, June 13, 1926, France 4-Yugoslavia 1)

Photo From: Deutschlands Fussball Landerspiele, Eine Dokumentation von 1908-1989

(Germany squad, November 21, 1937, Germany 5-Sweden 0)

Photo From: Todo Sobre La Seleccion Espanola, Felix Martialay, 2006

(Spain squad, May 6, 1945, Spain 4-Portugal 2)

Photo from: Die Nati, Die Geschichte der Schweizer Fussball-Nationalmanschaft, author Beat Jung, 2006

(Swiss squad, June 26, 1954, World Cup, Switzerland 5-Austria 7)

Photo From: Het Nederlands Elftal, De Histoire van Oranje, 1905-1989

(Dutch squad, September 7, 1969, World Cup Qualifier, Poland 2-Holland 1)

Photo : from Onze, August 1978

(June 3, 1978, World Cup, Brazil 1-Sweden 1)

Photo from: Mondial, October 1984

(Bulgaria squad, September 29, 1984, Yugoslavia 0-Bulgaria 0)

Photo from: Onze-Mondial, August 1994

(Czech squad, April 20, 1994, Switzerland 3-Czech Republic 0)

Photo from: Calcio 2000, February 2001

(AC Milan 1956/57)

Photo from: Mirroir du Football, January 24, 1978

(Real Madrid 1977/78)

Photo from: Onze, April 1981

(AZ’67 Alkmaar, Dutch Champions 1980/81)

Photo from: Onze, August 1977

(Saint Etienne, 1977/78)

Photo from: Onze, May 1978

(Anderlecht squad, May 3, 1978, Cup Winners Cup Final, Anderlecht 4-FK Austria Vienna 0)

Photo from: Onze, May 1982

(Bayern Munich 1981/82)

Photo from: Soccer International, October 1991

(Kaiserslautern squad 1991 Bundesliga Champions, the photo is actually an advertisement for Erima Sportswear)

Photo from: Calcio 2000, February 2001

(Barcelona 1958/59)

Photo from: Seleccao Brasileira -90 Anos 1914-2004, Authors Antonio Carlos Napoleao, Roberto Assaf

(Chile squad, Copa America 1919)

Old Match Photographs-Part 2

2012-03-06T18:57:00.000-08:00

Photo from: Calcio 2000, February 2001

(Legendary Managers Helenio Herrera and Nereo Rocco)

Photo from: World Soccer, January 1992

(Mendoza and Sinisa Mihajlovic, December 8, 1991, Intercontinental Cup, Red Star Belgrade 3-Colo Colo 0)

Photo from: World Soccer, December 1990

(Sir Stanley Matthews and Czechoslovakian Manager Josef Venglos, who was then managing Aston Villa, 1990/91)

Photo from: Soccer International, August 1990

(A very famous photograph of Maradona surrounded by belgian players during the inaugural match of 1982 World Cup)

Photo from: Onze, May 1982

(Alan Simonsen and Uli Stielieke during 1 1981/82 season Barcelona and Real Madrid match)

Photo from: Onze, June 1977

(Juventus’ Franco Causio, May 4, 1977, UEFA Cup final, first leg, Juventus-Athletic Bilbao 1-0)

Photo from: Onze, August 1977

(Saint Etienne’s Dominique Rocheteau in action during a summer 1977 friendly vs. Feyenoord)

Photo from: Mondial, April 1983

(Lev Yashin and Rinat Dassayev)

Photo from: Mirroir Du Football, January 24, 1978

(Stade Reims players 1959/60, Jean Vincent, Just Fontaine, Raymond Kopa, Muller and Roger Piantoni)

Photo from: Le Livre d’or Du Football 1993

(Nantes vs. Bordeaux 1992/93 season, Left to right Bixente Lizarazu, Patrice Loko and Zinedine Zidane)

Photo from: Le Livre d’or Du Football 1980

(Saint Etienne and Nantes Captains Yvan Curkovic and Henri Michel and Referee Konrath, 1979/80 season)

Photo from: La Glorieuse Epopee de la coupe du monde, by Mondial, 1982

(Argentina’s Carlos Peucelle who scored one of Argentina’s goals in the 1930 World Cup Final)

Photo from: Guerino Sportivo, February 6, 1991

(Cagliari’s Luigi Riva)

Photo from: Calcio 2000, November 1998

(Juventus’s Luisito Monti, early 1930s)

Photo from: Goal, April 1996

(Kenny dalglish celebrating the goal vd. Chelsea that clinched the League championship for Liverpool in 1986)

Photo from: Foot Magazine, April 1984

(FC Liege and Standard Liege, during 1983/84 season, West German striker Hrubesch is in the background)

Photo from: Foot Magazine, April 1982

(Diagram of Platini’s goal vs. Italy on February 23, 1982, France 2-Italy 0)

Photo from: Don Balon, Chile Edition, April 24, 1997

(Rivaldo during 1996/97 season wiiith Deportivo La Coruna)

Photo from: Onze-Mondial, Hors-Serie-May 1994

(September 8, 1993, Norway 1-USA 0)

Photo from : Onze, January 1984

(November 16, 1983, EC Qualifier, Greece 0-Denmark 2)

Photo from : Onze, July 1977

(Rainer Bonhof and Argentineans Villa and Larosa, June 5, 1977, Argentina 1-West Germany 3)

Photo from : World Soccer, May 1968

(February 24, 1968, Home Championship, Scotland 1-England 1)

Photo From: Ireland on the Ball, Author: Donal Cullen

(May 28, 1955, West Germany 2-Republic of Ireland 1)

Photo From: Il Libro Azzuro, Author: Walter Perosino, 1998

(Italian Captaino Piola and Hungary Captain Gyrogy Sarosi and German Referee Peco Bauwens, December 1, 1940 , Italy 1-Hungary 1)

Photo from: La Glorieuse Epopee de la coupe du monde, by Mondial, 1982

(June 16, 1938, World Cup, Hungary 5-Sweden 1)

Photo from: latvijas futbola vesture, Author Mikelis Rubenis, 2000

(June 22, 1924 Latvia 1-Turkey 3)

Photo From: Chronik des deutschen fussballs, 2005

(June 29, 1912, Olympics, Austria 5-Germany 1)

Photo From: Oranje Toen En Nu, Deel 1, 1905-1914, 2000-2001, Author: Matty Verkamman

(Octobwe 23, 1908, Olympics, Holland 2-Sweden 0)

Trivia and Facts-Part 14

2012-03-05T19:52:00.000-08:00

1-Marcello Lippi was fired as Internazionale FC Milano manager after the very first match of the 2000/01 season.

After a poor display, he criticized his players and said that each should get a kick in the backside by Club President Massimo Moratti.

Lippi was dismissed after this outburst.

Lippi’s resignation as Juventus manager in February 1999 marked the first time since 1970/71 season that a Juventus manager had not finished an entire season.

Photo From: Calcio 2000, December 1998

(Marcello Lippi)

2- Arsenal’s Northern Ireland midfielder Stephen Morrow was injured in a bizarre incident following the 1993 League Cup Final Between Arsenal and Sheffield Wednesday on April 18, 1993 at Wembley.

He had been the goalscoring hero of the match. Arsenal captain Tony Adams lifted and put him on his shoulders to celebrate. However, he accidentally dropped Morrow and injured him.

Photo From: World Soccer, June 1993

(Tony Adams accidentally dropping Stephen Morrow)

3-Dutch midfielder Frank Rijkaard sparked a dispute by signing two valid contracts in 1987.

One was with his club Ajax Amsterdam and the other with archrivals PSV Eindhoven.

The Federation Tribunal decided that Rijkaard should remain with his club Ajax, but they would have to pay PSV a sum.

In any case, Rijkaard angrily left Ajax a few months later after a dispute with coach Johann Cruyff and signed for Sporting Lisbon.

Since he was signed after a deadline, Sporting were forced to loan him to Real Zaragoza for the remainder of that season.

At the conclusion of the season he signed for AC Milan.

Similarly his Dutch teammate Gerald Vanenburg of PSV Eindhoven, also signed two valid contracts in 1989.

One was with his club PSV and the other with AS Roma. He remained with PSV but was fined.

Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, February 6, 1991

(Frank Rijkaard on the right with Ruud Gullit and Henrik Larsen, January 23, 1991 AC Milan 1-Pisa 0)

Photo From: World Soccer, August 1989

(Gerald Vanenburg in action for PSV vs. Benfica during the 1988 Champions Cup Final)

4- After the 1982 World Cup Final match between Italy and West Germany, West German goalkeeper Harald Schumacher left the field and the trophy presentation.

Italian President Alessandro Pertini complained that Schumacher did not shake his hand.

Schuamcher claimed that he was in a hurry to leave and did not see the President as a result.

Months later the Italians lodged a complaint to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the incident.

German Politicians and the German Federation intervened and a letter of apology was written along a trip to Rome by Schumacher and DFB President Hermann Neuberger to apologize in peron.

Photo From: Onze, July 1982

(Harald Schumacher unable to stop Altobelli from scoring Italy’s third goal, July 11, 1982, World Cup, Italy 3-West Germany 1)

5-AC Milan’s France Baresi and Internazionale FC Milano’s Giuseppe Bergomi who spent their entire careers at their respective clubs could have actually played for the opposite teams.

France Baresi was rejected after he tried out for Inter, while his older brother Giuseppe was accepted.

Similarly, AC Milan rejected Giuseppe Bergomi when he tried out.

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, June 1989

(Franco Baresi, May 24, 1989, Champions Cup Final, AC Milan 4-Steaua Bucharest 0)

Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, February 6, 1991

(Inter Captain Giuseppe Bergomi trying to stop Torino’s Gianluigi Lentini, Coppa Italia, January 23, 1991 Torino 1-Inter 0)

April 25, 1990 West Germany 3-Uruguay 3

2012-03-04T17:18:00.000-08:00

April 25, 1990

West Germany 3-Uruguay 3

Friendly

Venue: Stuttgart – Neckarstadion

Attendance: 35,000

Referee: Bo Karlsson (Sweden)

Goalscorers: (West Germany): Matthaus 60-Voeller 64-Klinnsman 75

(Uruguay): Aguilera 49-Ostolaza 73-Revelez 76

Lineups:

West Germany:

1-Bodo Illgner (1. Fußball-Club Köln 01/07 e.V.) [14 caps / 0 goals] (12-Raimond Aumann (Fußball-Club Bayern München e.V.) [2 caps / 0 goals] 46)

4-Jürgen Kohler (Fußball-Club Bayern München e.V.) [25 caps / 0 goals]

2-Thomas Berthold (Associazione Sportiva Roma / Italy) [33 caps / 1 goals]

5-Guido Buchwald (Verein für Bewegungspiele Stuttgart 1893 e.V.) [30 caps / 0 goals]

3-Andreas Brehme (Internazionale Football Club- Milan / Italy) [49 caps / 4 goals]

8-Thomas Häßler (1. Fußball-Club Köln 01/07 e.V.) [10 caps / 1 goals]

7-Pierre Littbarski (1. Fußball-Club Köln 01/07 e.V.) [65 caps / 17 goals]

10- Lothar Herbert Matthäus (Internazionale Football Club- Milan / Italy) [72 caps / 10 goals]

6-Uwe Bein (Eintracht Frankfurt e.V.) [6 caps / 0 goals] (15-Olaf Thon (Fußball-Club Bayern München e.V.) [31 caps / 3 goals] 68)

11-Jürgen Klinsmann (Internazionale Football Club- Milan / Italy) [16 caps / 4 goals]

9-Rudolf 'Rudi' Völler (Associazione Sportiva Roma / Italy) [61 caps / 33 goals]

Coach: Franz Beckenbauer

Team Captain: Lothar Herbert Matthäus

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Adidas

Uniform Colors: Green Shirts, White Shorts, Green Socks

Uruguay:

1- Eduardo Pereira Martinez (Club Atlético Independiente Avellaneda / Argentina) [9 caps / 0 goals]
3-Hugo Eduardo De León Rodriguez (Club Atlético River Plate- Buenos Aires / Argentina) [42 caps / 0 goals]
4-José Oscar Herrera Corominas (Unió Esportiva Figueras / Spain) [25 caps / 3 goals]
5-José Batlle Perdomo Texeira (Genoa 1893 –Genova / Italy) [21 caps / 2 goals]
6-Alfonso Enrique Domínguez Maidana (Club Atlético Peñarol Montevideo) [25 caps / 0 goals]
2-Daniel Felipe Revelez (Club Nacional de Football Montevideo) [13 caps / 1 goals]
8-Santiago Javier Ostolaza Sosa (Club Nacional de Football Montevideo) [22 caps / 4 goals]
20-Ruben Fabián Pereira Márquez (Danubio Futbol Club Montevideo) [18 caps / 1 goals]
11- Ruben Sosa Ardaiz (Società Sportiva Lazio-Roma / Italy) [26 caps / 10 goals]

9-Carlos Alberto Aguilera Nova (Genoa 1893 –Genova / Italy) [47 caps / 22 goals] (17-Sergio Daniel Martínez Alzuri (Defensor Sporting Club Montevideo) [13 caps / 2 goals] 79)
10- Ruben Walter Paz Márquez (Genoa 1893 –Genova / Italy) [39 caps / 8 goals] (18-Daniel Fonseca Caris (Club Nacional de Football Montevideo) [4 caps / 0 goals] 69)

Coach: Oscar Washington Tabarez

Booked: Sosa 44, Ruben Pereira 55, Daniel Fonseca 83

Team Captain: Hugo Eduardo De León Rodriguez

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Puma

Uniform Colors: Sky Blue Shirts, Black Shorts , Black Socks

Notes:

-Match number 558 for West Germany and number 552 for Uruguay.

-This was the 7th meeting between the nations.

-The previous match between the nations was during the 1986 World Cup in Mexico in Querétaro on June 4, 1986 that ended in a one-one tie.

West German players: Andreas Brehme, Pierre Littbarski, Lothar Herbert Matthäus, Rudolf 'Rudi' Völler and Thomas Berthold also took part in that match.

-The next match between the nations, as well as Germany’s next victory, would be a friendly in Montevideo on December 20, 1992 that West Germany won 4-1.

West German players: Olaf Thon, Jürgen Kohler, Thomas Häßler, Guido Buchwald, Lothar Herbert Matthäus and Jürgen Klinsmann also took part in that match.

Buchwald, Haessler and Klinnsman scored for Germany in that match.

-West Germany’s previous victory over Uruguay was on June 8, 1977 when they defetaed Uruguay 2-0 in a friendly in Montevideo.

-The next match between the nations, as well as the next on German soil, would be a friendly in Karlsuhe on October 13, 1993 that West Germany won 5-0.

West German players: Jürgen Kohler, Thomas Häßler, Guido Buchwald, Lothar Herbert Matthäus and Jürgen Klinsmann and Uruguay Player: Santiago Javier Ostolaza Sosa also took part in that match.

Buchwald scored for Germany in that match.

-Lothar Matthaus and Pierre Littbarski were the only German players who were in the 1982,1986 and 1990 German squads that reached 3 straight finals.

-This was a preparatory match by both teams for the upcoming World Cup in Italy.

-West Germany had not worn the green jerseys since August 31, 1988 World Cup Qualifier vs. Finland (4-0 win).

-West Germany would wear the green jerseys for the World Cup semifinal on July 4, 1990 vs. England.

-Uruguay has not defeated Germany since their very first meeting on June 3, 1928 during the Olympics when they won 4-1.

-Stuttgart’s Neckarstadion had not hosted a Germany match since the World Cup Qualifier on October 16, 1985 that West Germany lost to Portugal 0-1.

Thomas Berthold, Andreas Brehme and Pierre Littbarski also played in that match.

The next match hosted by Stuttgart would be at the end of the year on December 19, 1990 and the re-unification match vs. Switzerland (4-0 win).

Bodo Illgner, Thomas Berthold, Jürgen Kohler, Guido Buchwald, Thomas Häßler, Lothar Herbert Matthäus, Jürgen Klinsmann and Rudolf 'Rudi' Völler also played in that match.

Voller and Matthaus scored in that match.

-Guido Buchwald was playing in his home club’s stadium.

-Jürgen Klinsmann was a former Stuttgart player and Thomas Berthold was a future Stuttgart player.

-All 6 goals were scored in the second half.

-Uruguay were missing unavailable captain Enzo Francescolli, first choice goalkeeper Fernando Harry Alvez Mosquera, Antonio Alzamendi Casas of Logones and Nelson Daniel Gutiérrez Luongo of Verona.

-West Germany was missing Bayern Munich’s captain and sweeper Klaus Aughentaler.

-The absent Francescolli and Rudi Voller were present and future Olympique Marseille players.

-The absent Francescolli was teammates with Ruben Paz and West Germany’s Pierre Littbarski for one season at Racing Club Paris for 1986/87 season.

-All of West Germany’s goals were scored by Italy based players, as well Uruguay’s first by Aguilera.

-West Germany’s Matthaus, Brehme, Klinnsman, Berthold and Voller were Italian Serie A based players.

Uruguay’s Aguilera, Perdomo and Paz also played in Italy for Genoa.

West Germany’s Haessler and Kohler were future Serie A players.

Haessler joined Juventus at the end of the season. Kohler joined Juventus a year later, though by that time Haessler had joined AS Roma.

Uruguay’s Jose Herrera, Daniel Fonseca and absent captain Enzo Francescolli also joined the Italian Serie A by the next season by signing for newly promoted Cagliari.

Both Francsecolli and Aguilera also played for Torino.

Ruben Sosa was then a Lazio player and future Internazionale FC Milano player.

He would be teammates the following season with West German striker Karl Heinz Riedle at Lazio who did not play this match.

Uruguay’s Ruben Pereira also eventually joined Italy’s Serie A.

-Carlos Aguilera had to leave Italy by 1993 due to the possibility of facing criminal charges by the Italian authorities.

-Haessler, Kohler and Daniel Fonseca were future Juventus players.

-Haessler and Kohler were also teammates for one season at Dortmund, 1998/99 season.

-Ruben Sosa and Jurgen Kohler both joined Borussia Dortmund in 1995.

-All the German players were part of the Finals squad that won the World Cup on July 8^th of that year vs. Argentina.

-Both Voller and Klinnsman later managed Germany. Matthaus has managed the national teams of Hungary and Bulgaria.

Jurgen Klinnsman is the current manager of the United States national team.

Oscar Washington Tabarez is also the current manager of Uruguay.

-All of Germany’s goals were conceded by second half goalkeeper substitute Raimond Aumann.

-Uruguay goalkeeper Eduardo Pereira Martinez’s performance did not help his cause to be Uruguay’s starting goalkeeper, particularly the free kick by Matthaus.

-Uruguay manager Oscar Washington Tabarez also managed Uruguay vs. Germany during the 2010 World Cup, 3-2 Germany win.

-The first time Germany had conceded 3 goals or more in a match since a friendly vs. Asutria on October 29, 1986 (1-4 loss).

West Germany had not conceded 3 goals at home since losing a friendly to Argentina on September 12, 1984 (1-3 loss) at Dusseldorf for Franz Beckenbauer’s first match in charge.

The next time they would concede as many goals would be vs. Holland on June 18, 1992 during the UEFA European Championships (1-3 loss).

-Hugo De leon captained Uruguay in the abscence of Francescolli.

Match Reports:

Chronik des deutschen fussballs, 2005

Match Video / Highlights:

Soccer memories: Part 3

2012-02-20T17:11:00.000-08:00

Serie A Foreign Fiascos: Why some of the World’s best failed to adapt

(Note: I would like to once again thank http://www.zani.co.uk/ for uploading this article
Serie A Foreign Fiascos )

Italy’s Serie A for decades now has been the El Dorado of top foreign players from all over the world.

As far back as the 1930s, foreigners, especially Argentineans and Uruguayans, played a prominent role in making Serie A the most elite championship in the world.

While for many decades, notably in the 60s and 70s, the game itself was decried as aesthetically non-pleasing due to the influence of Catenaccio, that did not stop foreign players to try to make their mark in Italy.

The main reason was obviously economic, as players would multiply their salaries by playing for Italian clubs.

In fact in those early days (pre-80s and 90s), in some instances signing for Italian clubs meant the end of their international careers. In those days clubs were not compelled by any authority to release players and they seldom did.

But the salaries and standard of life more than made up the lost international caps.

In many instances the players became Italian citizens and played for the Azzuri.

This gave rise to the Oriundi, foreign-born players who could trace Italian ancestry in their lineage.

In Italy’s 1934 World Cup squad, Oriundis such as Argentineans Luisito Monti and Raimundo Orsi played prominent roles in Italy’s triumph.

The other reason that attracted world’s top talent was the understanding that if one had the ambition to be the best, then to excel in the tough jungle of Serie A was a must.

There are many foreign players through the decades who have become legends by succeeding in Italy: John Charles, Suarez, Sivori, Haller, Angellilo, Altafini, Falcao, Platini, Maradona, Matthaus, Gullit, Van Basten, Batistuta, etc.

But there have also been excellent players who for diverse reasons were flops in the Serie A and were unable to adapt.

In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Italian clubs signed a number of top British players.

While Welshman John Charles, during his time at Juventus, was the most successful, others such as Englishmen Gerry Hitchens (at Inter), Jimmy Greaves (at AC Milan) and Scottish Dennis Law (at Torino) were relative failures and returned home after short stays.

After Italy’s debacle vs. North Korea during the 1966 World Cup, the abundance of foreign players in the league was made to be the scapegoat.

To protect the interests of the national team, a ban on new incoming foreign players was put in place.

No new foreign players could be signed, however, those already on the books could remain.

So throughout the next decade into the 1970s, there would be no “flops” as the foreign players in place were those who had successfully adapted to Italian Football.

Players such as Brazilian born Jose Altafini and West Germans Helmut Haller and Karl-Heinz Schnellinger played for many years with distinction.

Photo From: Mondial, April 1985

(Brazilain Socrates in action for Fiorentina 1984/85)

Starting the early 1980s the borders were re-opened and once again Italy was flooded with top foreign talent.

Each team was authorized to have two foreign players.

The early 1980s influx, once again made the Serie A the pre-eminent league on the planet.

But with every success story like Falcao, Platini, Maradona and Briegel, there was bound to be failures.

West German midfielder Hansi Muller and Belgian midfielder Ludo Coeck failed to settle at Internazionale FC Milano and were eventually loaned to smaller clubs such as Como and Ascoli.

Brazilian captain Socrates at Fiorentina was a shadow of the player who dazzled the world with his displays during the 1982 World cup.

Austrian striker Toni Polster arrived at Torino as one of the most prolific strikers in Europe, but departed to Spain after an indifferent season.

Dutchman Wim Kieft, who had won Europe’s Golden Boot award with his club Ajax, managed 3 goals for Pisa and relegation battle.

England’s former Watford player, Luther Blisset’s season with AC Milan in 1983/84 is synonymous with failure.

Brazilian Renato also came with a good reputation, but was a complete failure at AS Roma.

While Hugo Maradona (Diego’s younger brother)’s season with Ascoli is not even worth mentioning.

Belgian Enzo Scifo was also a failure in his one season with Internazionale and was loaned out to the French league after one season. He did however, resurrect his career in France and returned and played two adequate seasons for Torino.

The most notable failure of the decade was Welshman Ian Rush at Juventus. Much was expected of him as he was replacing Frenchman Michel Platini

He performed so poorly that he was offloaded as quickly as he was signed.

Photo From: World Soccer, April 1993

(Welshman Ian Rush in action for Juventus 1987/88)

By 1988 the limit on foreign players was raised to 3 per team and with the fall of communism, the end of the decade and the new one brought the largely unexplored Eastern Europe contingent into the frame.

Eastern Bloc players were attractive prospects as they were cheaper than say Brazilians and Western European players.

This increase in the limit also increased the possibility of failures.

In general Eastern European imports for the most part failed to make the grade, there were exceptions, most notably Yugoslav Srecko Katanec at Sampdoria and Czech striker Tomas Skuhravy at Genoa.

But the likes of Czech midfielder Lubos Kubik (at Fiorentina), Romanian Marius Lacatus (also at Fiorentina), Soviet Alexei Mikhailichenko (at Sampdoria) and Yugoslav Striker Darko Pancev (at Inter) did not meet expectations and were offloaded after no more than a season or two.

The greatest disappointment was Soviet star Alexander Zavarov at Juventus. He came as a global star and was expected to perform miracles, but in his two seasons he failed to make an impact.

The irony is that most of the eastern European players were still useful for their respective national teams, but seemed to be out of sorts for their clubs.

Of the non-eastern players, Spain’s Rafael Martin Vasquez’s stay at Torino was deemed a failure.

So impressive for Real Madrid, yet very average for Torino, he also departed after two indifferent seasons.

By 1992, teams were allowed to sign as many foreigners as they wished, though only a maximum of three could play per match.

French striker Jean-Pierre Papin arrived at AC Milan as the reigning European Footballer of the year, however, he was sidelined with the above-mentioned restrictions and poor form.

German midfielder Matthias Sammer, a future European Footballer of the year, was also a failure in his half season at Internazionale and was relieved to join Borussia Dortmund.

While Englishman Paul Gascoigne was hampered by serious injuries in his three seasons at Lazio and never made any headway.

English defender Des Walker had a nightmare of a time at Sampdoria and returned to England after a year and was never the same player as before.

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, September 1992

(French striker Jean-Pierre Papin in AC Milan uniform 1992)

The Bosman ruling in early 1996 did away with most foreign player restrictions. That in itself requires further analysis due to its implications to the modern game and the fact that in some cases foreign players outnumbered Italians in a given squad.

The shear number of foreign players makes the failure ratio higher just by the law of averages.

Also progressively Spain’s La Liga and the English Premier League eclipsed the Serie A as the number one destination of top foreign talent.

So what are the reasons why clearly talented players failed to settle and shine?

There are the general ordinary reasons such as getting accustomed to new food, language, lifestyle, homesickness, etc.

Argentines historically have settled well in Italy. They are described as the most Europeans of South Americans. Since they are themselves descendants of immigrants from Europe and therefore have maintained some of the customs and mentality.

Other Latins such as Brazilians and other South Americans generally do well in Italy with some exceptions.

Very few British players adapted to Italy during the post 1980s influx, Trevor Francis and Liam Brady being the notable exceptions.

There were some who managed to hold their own without reaching the heights expected of them, such as Graeme Souness, David Platt, Joe Jordan, Mark Hateley and Ray Wilkins.

Ian Rush’s fiasco was blamed on his inability to learn the language, homesickness, and in his case, and probably countless others, being in the wrong team at the wrong time.

Platini is often cited as a successful example of someone adapting by learning the Italian language prior to coming to Italy. Although Enzo Scifo already spoke Italian due to his ancestry, but was nevertheless a failure at Inter.

Another reason is a player’s talent and ability being unsuited to for a particular team.

Essentially a player is being played out of position or in a different playing formation than what they are familiar to.

This was specially true for the former eastern bloc players who in their own countries adhered to rigid playing systems that rarely enabled them to play in different positions much less formations.

In fact former Dinamo Kiev manager Valeri Lobanovsky blamed Zavarov’s poor displays for Juventus due to the insistence of Juventus management to play Zavarov in a position completely different than his own. He stated that they were playing Zavarov (a midfielder) as if he were van Basten (Center forward)

This problem was not restricted to Eastern European only, Dutchman Dennis Bergkamp also suffered at Internazionale because of a completely different playing style than what he had enjoyed at Ajax.

He endured his two worst seasons as a footballer at Inter and left to join EPL’s Arsenal and rebuilt his shattered career.

Another reigning European Footballer of the year, the Bulgarian Hristo Stoichkov also joined AC Parma with much fanfare, but played a forgettable solitary season and returned to his “home” at Barcelona.

One other reason could be the fact that these players were playing for exceptionally strong teams in their own league against vastly inferior opposition, but now they were playing in a high quality league where each match is difficult even for the strongest teams.

Many players were also unable to meet the expectations placed upon them, A foreign player was always expected to outperform local Italian talent because of the money spent to acquire them, And if they did not perform to the desired standard, they were accused of standing in the way of blossoming Italian talent.

There were cases where excellent players agreed to play for modest teams because they were paid a king’s ransom.

Brazilian Zico was such a case, at Udinese after a successful first season; he endured a difficult second season and relegation survival fight. He happily departed back home at the end of the season.

Had he played for a team worthy of his talents perhaps he would have had a longer career in Italy.

One must also remember that in these pre-Bosman days of foreign player limits, teams had no patience and one lousy season was enough to send someone home.

Perhaps in the post-Bosman era, Juventus might have been patient with Ian Rush and given him a second chance.

Internazionale might have kept faith with the likes of Scifo, Coeck and Hansi Muller with no limits restrictions.

Sampdoria could have afforded another season with Mikhailichenko.

Since there was a limit of 2 or 3 foreign players per team, the clubs had to be very selective about the chosen players. In most cases they were players with extensive international experience who were now perhaps closer to the end of their careers.

Some players are tailor made for certain teams, while others however talented can never fit into a system, culture, pattern.

Articles on Teams and Events-Part 8

2012-02-18T16:37:00.000-08:00

Club profile on Benfica during 1991/92 season

(Magazine / Language : World Soccer, April 1992 / English)

Club profile on Benfica

Photo from : World Soccer, April 1992 /

(Pacheco of Benfica, 1991/92)

An article on 1980 Friendly Austria 1-Argentina 5

(Magazine / Language : El Grafico, No. 3164 from 1980 / Spanish)

1980 Friendly Austria 1-Argentina 5

Photo from : El Grafico, No. 3164 from 1980

(Leoplodo Luque in action vs. Austria)

Club profile on Dukla Prague during 1977/78 season

(Magazine / Language : Onze, September 1977 / French)

Club profile on Dukla Prague

Photo From: Onze, September 1977

(Oldrich Rott of Dukla Prague in yellow, 1977)

Player Profiles-Part 8

2012-02-17T16:21:00.000-08:00

A profile on Magic Magyar Nandor Hidegkuti

(Magazine / Language : The Observer / English)

Special Thanks to Chris Mitchell from UK for submitting this article

Nandor Hidegkuti Profile

Photo From: Die Geschichte der Fussball Nationalmanschaft, Author: Dietrich Schulze-Marmeling (Hrsg)

(Nandor Hidegkuti, prior to the 1954 World Cup Final vs. West Germany)

A profile on Brazilian striker Bebeto

(Magazine / Language : Foot Magazine, October 1989 / Belgian French)

Bebeto Profile

Photo from: Mondial, October-November 1988

(Bebeto in action for Brazil Olympic Team, September 27, 1988, Olympics, Brazil 1-West Germany 1)

A profile on Dutch striker Peter van Vossen

(Magazine / Language : Voetbal International, February 18, 1989/ Dutch)

Peter van Vossen Profile

Photo from: Voetbal International Special, Nummer 7, 1992-Oranje in 1992

(Petervan Vossen in action for Holland, December 16, 1992, World Cup Qualifier, Turkey 1-Holland 3)

Interviews-Part 11

2012-02-16T17:35:00.000-08:00

An interview with English Manager Brian Clough

(Magazine / Language : World Soccer, February 1975 / English)

Brian Clough Interview

Photo from: World Soccer, February 1975

(Brian Clough)

An interview with French player Dominique Rocheteau

(Magazine / Language : Onze, July 1978 / French)

Dominique Rocheteau Interview

Photo from: Onze, October 1984

(Dominique Rocheteau in action for France, October 7, 1978, EC Qualifier, Luxembourg 1-France 3)

An interview with Italian Alessandro Del Piero

(Magazine / Language : Don Balon, Chile Edition, May 5, 1997/ Spanish)

Alessandro Del Piero Interview

Photo from: Don Balon, Chile Edition, May 5, 1997

(Juventus’ Alessandro Del Piero)

Old Team Photographs-Part 1

2012-02-15T19:56:00.000-08:00

Photo From: IFFHS-Belgique-Belgie (1904-1940)

(Belgium squad, April 22, 1906, France 0-Belgium 5)

Photo From: IFFHS-Russia (1912-1920), Soviet Union (1923-1940),Polska(1921-1940),Lietuva(1923-1940)

(Russia squad, July 1, 1912, Olympics, Germany 16-Russia 0)

Photo from: Landslaget, Det Norske Fotballandslagets Historie, authors Egil Olsen, Arne Scheie,Per Jorsett, Otto Ulseth, 1997

(Norway squad, June 16, 1946, Norway 2-Denmark 1)

Photo From: World Soccer, December 1966

(Brazil squad from 1958)

Photo From: Chronik des deutschen fussballs, 2005

(West Germany squad, May 31, 1962, World Cup, Italy 0-West Germany 0)

Photo From: Onze, June 1980

(Spain squad, December 9, 1979, UEFA European Championship Qualifier-Cyprus 1-Spain 3)

Photo From: Onze, May 1982

(Wales squad, May 24, 1982, Scotland 1-Wales 0)

Photo From: Don Balon, Chile Edition, April 25-May 5, 1997, Issue no 256

(Chile squad, September 1, 1996, World Cup Qualifier, Colombia 4-Chile 1)

Photo From: La Nazionale Italiana, 1978

(Italy squad, Future great manager Nereo Rocco, is standing, second from the left, March 25, 1934, World Cup Qualifier, Italy 4-Greece 0)

Photo From: Calcio 2000, April 1999

(1963/64 Scudetto winning FC Bologna)

Photo From: Calcio 2000, February 2001

(Internazionale FC Milano 1962/63)

Photo From: Calcio 2000, November 1998

(Juventus 1998/99)

Photo From: Onze, August 1977

(Bastia, July/August 1977)

Photo From: Onze, December 1979

(Ajax Amsterdam, 1979/80)

Photo From: Onze, June 1983

(SV Hamburg squad before the 1983 Champions Cup Final vs. Juventus)

Photo From: Onze, October 1986

(Paris St. Germain before their Champions Cup match vs. Viktovice in September 1986)

Photo From: World Soccer, March 1992

(Barcelona, 1991/92)

Photo From: World Soccer, October 1990

(Real Madrid 1990/91)

Photo From: Calcio 2000, February 2001

(Penarol 1966)

Old Match Photographs-Part 1

2012-02-14T19:11:00.000-08:00

Photo From: Chronik des deutschen fussballs, 2005

(March 16, 1909, England (Amateur) 9-Germany 0)

Phoro From: A-Laget, Norges 25 storste fotballspillere gjennom tidene, Authors: Svein Saeter, Johan L. Oiestad

(May 26, 1918, Sweden 2-Norway 0)

Photo From: Les Bleus, Le livre official de l'equipe de France, Author: Dominique Grimault, 1997

(April 18, 1926, France 4-Portugal 2)

Photo From: Azzurri, Storia della Nazionale di calcio tre volte campioni del Mondo, 1910-1983

(June 3, 1934, World Cup, Italy 1-Austria 0, Diagram showing the goal)

Photo : from World Soccer, May 1992

(June 3, 1934, World Cup, Italy 1-Austria 0, moments before the goal)

Photo from: History of the World Cup Author Michael Archer

(June 3, 1934, World Cup, Italy 1-Austria 0, goal being scored by Guaita)

Photo from: Seleccao Brasileira -90 Anos 1914-2004, Authors Antonio Carlos Napoleao, Roberto Assaf

(February 18, 1940, Copa Roca, Brazil 2-Argentina 2)

Photo from: Football Association of Ireland, 75 Years, Author Peter Byrne, 1996

(May 19, 1957, World Cup Qualifying-Republic of Ireland 1-England 1)

Photo : from World Soccer, June 1964

(Pele vs. Bobby Moore, May 30, 1964, Nations Cup, Brazil 5-England 1)

Photo : from Onze, November 1977

(October 29, 1977, World Cup Quyalifying, Hungary 6-Bolivia 0)

Photo : from France Football, November 26, 1985, Numero 2068

(Safet Susic of Yugoslavia, December 21, 1983, UEFA European Championship Qualifier, Yugoslavia 3-Bulgaria 2)

Photo : from Onze-Mondial, February 1991

(Roberto in action vs. Portugal, January 14, 1991, Spain 1-Portugal 1)

Photo from : Onze, March 1977

(Asensi of Barcelona)

Photo from : Voetbal Internatinal, February 18, 1989

(PSV Eindhoven’s Belgian Eric Gerets taking a throw in vs. Mechelen, February 1, 1989, UEFA Super Cup , Mechelen 3-PSV Eindhoven 0)

Photo from : Calcio 2000, February 2001

(Real Madrid’s Alfredo di Stefano and Ferenc Puskas)

Photo from : Calcio 2000, November 1998

(Brazilian pair, Udinese’s Zico and Roma’s Cerezo, 1984/85)

Photo from : Mondial, January 1981

(Czechoslovakia’s Zdenek Nehoda)

Photo from : Mondial, April 1983

(Juventus’ Roberto Bettega in action in March 1983 vs. Aston Villa during teh Champions Cup Quarter finals)

Photo from : Onze, April 1986

(Real Madrid’s Hugo Sanchez and Jorge Valdano, with Antonio Maceda in the background)

Photo from : Onze, August 1977

(Barcelona’s Johann Neeskens and SV Hamburg’s Kevin Keegan during a friendly, July 26, 1977, SV Hamburg 6-Barcelona 0)

Photo from : Onze, September 1977

(New York Cosmos’ Italian striker Giorgio Chinaglia)

Photo from : World Soccer, September 1991

(Robert Prosinecki and Stefan Reuter, April 10, 1991, Champions Cup , Bayern Munich 1-Red Star Belgtrade 2)

Photo from : World Soccer, December 1990

(Arsenal and Manchester United brawl in fall of 1990 that led to points deduction for both teams)

Photo from : World Soccer, February 1975

(Real Madrid manager Milan Miljanic and West German Paul Breitner)

Photo from : Onze, October 1987

(Ajax’s Frank Rijkaard in 1987)

Trivia and Facts-Part 13

2012-02-13T18:43:00.000-08:00

1-Before the 1974 World Cup Final ,between West Germany and Holland, English referee Jack Taylor noticed that none of the corner flags had been put in place. Since the rules of the game explicitly specify corner flags, he ordered them to be put in.

Photo from : Onze, February 1977

2- Up until September of 1983, the Swiss Federation considered an international cap as at least one half of a match.

If a player played for anything less, by their rules the player did not earn a cap.

Swiss player Robert Luthi played 26 minutes vs. Romania in 1981, 20 minutes vs. Hungary in 1981 and 29 minutes vs. Portugal in 1982.

Therefore, per Federation rules he was not recognized to have earned a single cap despite taking part in 3 matches.

He did however, score a goal in the match vs. Romania on October 10, 1981.

Therefore, he was the only player in the history of Swiss Federation with no caps yet one goal in the record books.

Photo from: L'Equie de Suisse, Authors Guy Balibouse, Roger Felix, Pierre Tripod, 1993

(Robert Luthi of Switzerland)

3-In Germany’s 1994 World Cup squad, Stefan Effenberg was the only player to be registered to a lower division club.

He was playing for Italian club AC Fiorentina that had been relegated the previous season.

The controversial Effenberg, who was constantly heckled by German fans, was seen to respond to the fans by showing his middle finger.

He was immedistely sent home by German manager Berti Vogts.

The term “foul finger” was coined to describe Effenberg’s gesture.

Photo : from Onze-Mondial, July 1992

(Stefan Effenberg, June 15, 1992, UEFA European Championshp, Germany 2-Scotland 0)

4- During the first half of 1997/98 season, French midfielder Christian Karembeu was barred from playing by his Italian club UC Sampdoria.

He was involved in a tug of war between Spanish rivals Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Sampdoria had agreed to sell him to Barcelona for a much larger sum than Real Madrid.

However, the player himself had personally agreed terms with Real Madrid and had given his word to join them.

Sampdoria was trying to pressure him this way to force him to join Barcelona.

Finally in the midseason transfer window, he was allowed to join Real Madrid.

Ironically after this half season, he was largely marginalized by successive Real Madrid managers in the following two seasons and rarely played.

Photo From: Le Livre d’or du Football 1993

(Christian Karembeu and his violent outburst during the 1993 French Cup Final vs. PSG that led to a lengthy suspension)

5-When the Falklands war started in the spring of 1982 between Argentina and Great Britain, Tottenham Hotspur’s Argentinean midfielder Osvaldo Ardiles left the club temporarily for patriotic reasons.

He briefly joined French club Paris Saint-Germain.

After a few months when the political situation stabilized he returned to play for Tottenham.

He eventually managed Tottenham in the 1990s.

Photo From: Onze, September 1982

(Argentina’s Osvaldo Ardiles with Paris Saint-Germain)

October 12, 1986 Portugal 1-Sweden 1

2012-02-12T19:53:00.000-08:00

October 12, 1986

Portugal 1-Sweden 1

UEFA European Championship Qualifying-Group 2

Venue: Lisbon-Estadio Nacional (Estádio do Jamor)

Attendance: 15,106

Referee: Keith Stuart Hackett (England)

Goalscorers: (Portugal): Coelho 66'

(Sweden): Glenn Stromberg 50'

Lineups:

Portugal:

1-Jose Alberto Teixiera Ferreirinha ‘Ze Beto’ (Futebol Clube do Porto) [1 caps / 0 goals]

5-Eduardo José Gomes Mendes Dito (Sport Lisboa e Benfica) [10 caps / 1 goals]

2-Antonio August da Silva Veloso (Sport Lisboa e Benfica) [10 caps / 0 goals]

3-Eduardo Luis Marques Kruss Gomes (Futebol Clube do Porto) [3 caps / 0 goals]

8-Alberto Fonseca (Clube de Futebol ´Os Belenenses`-Lisboa) [8 caps / 2 goals]

4-Fernando Manuel Antonio Antunes Mendes (Sporting Clube de Portugal-Lisboa) [1 caps / 0 goals]

10-Adelino Carlos Morais Nunes (Sport Lisboa e Benfica) [4 caps / 0 goals]

6-Sheu Han (Sport Lisboa e Benfica) [23 caps / 1 goals] (16-Jose da Silva Coelho (Boavista Futebol Clube-Porto) [1 caps / 1 goals] 62)

7-Carlos Manuel Pereira Pinto ‘Adao’ (Vitória Sport Clube- Guimarães) [3 caps / 0 goals] (15-Mario Jorge da Silva Pinho Fernandes (Sporting Clube de Portugal-Lisboa) [5 caps / 0 goals] 72)

7-Jaime Jeronimo das Merces (Clube de Futebol ´Os Belenenses`-Lisboa) [4 caps / 0 goals]

9-Manuel Jose Tavares Fernandes (Sporting Clube de Portugal-Lisboa) [27 caps / 6 goals]

Coach: Rui Seabra

Team Captain: Manuel Jose Tavares Fernandes

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Adidas

Uniform Colors: Red Shirts, Green Shorts, Red Socks

Sweden:

1-Jan Möller (Malmö Fotbollforening) [14 caps / 0 goals]

2-Roland Nilsson (IFK (Idrottsföreningen Kamraterna) Göteborg) [6 caps / 0 goals]

3-Glenn Hysén (IFK (Idrottsföreningen Kamraterna) Göteborg) [40 caps / 4 goals]

4-Peter Larsson (IFK (Idrottsföreningen Kamraterna) Göteborg) [12 caps / 0 goals]

5-Stig Fredriksson (IFK (Idrottsföreningen Kamraterna) Göteborg) [51 caps / 1 goals]

6-Ulf Eriksson (Hammarby Idrottsförening- Stockholm) [27 caps / 3 goals] (15-Leif Engkvist (Malmö Fotbollforening) [4 caps / 0 goals] 88)

7-Glenn Strömberg (Atalanta Bergamasca Calcio-Bergamo / Italy) [29 caps / 5 goals]

8-Robert Prytz (Berner Sport Club Young Boys / Switzerland) [34 caps / 13 goals]

9-Anders Palmér (Malmö Fotbollforening) [10 caps / 1 goals] (16-Mats Magnusson (Malmö Fotbollforening) [8 caps / 2 goals] 78)

10-Johnny Ekström (IFK (Idrottsföreningen Kamraterna) Göteborg) [7 caps / 3 goals]

11-Björn Nilsson (Malmö Fotbollforening) [11 caps / 1 goals]

Coach: Olle Nordin

Team Captain: Stig Fredriksson

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Adidas

Uniform Colors: Yellow Shirts, Blue Shorts ,Yellow Socks

Notes:

-Match number 265 for Portugal and number 481 for Sweden.

-This was the 9th meeting between the nations.

-The previous match between the nations, as well as the previous at Lisbon, was a World Cup Qualifier on November 14, 1984 that Sweden won 3-1.

Sweden players: Glenn Hysén, Stig Fredriksson, Robert Prytz, Peter Larsson, Glenn Strömberg and Ulf Eriksson also took part in that match.

Sweden’s Robert Prytz scored twice in that match.

-The next match between the nations would be the return leg of this European Championship qualifier on September 23, 1987 in Stockholm that Portugal won 1-0.

Sweden players: Glenn Hysén, Stig Fredriksson, Robert Prytz, Peter Larsson, Roland Nilsson, Glenn Strömberg, Björn Nilsson, Johnny Ekström and Mats Magnusson also took part in that match.

This marked the first match after the end of the Portugal’s World Cup players strike was called off.

-Portugal’s previous victory over Sweden was on September 12, 1984 when they defeated Sweden 1-0 during a World Cup Qualifier in Stockholm.

Sweden players: Glenn Hysén, Stig Fredriksson and Ulf Eriksson also took part in that match.

-The next match between the two nations on portuguese soil would be a friendly on April 28, 2004 at Coimbra that ended in a 2-2 tie.

-This was Portugal’s first match after the 1986 Mexico World Cup and the infamous “Saltilo Affair”.

Players refused to train between their first and the second games (against England and Poland)

As a result of players uprising, eight of the twenty-two selected players were suspended from the national team.

The other 14 in sign of solidarity made themselves unavailable for selection.

The suspended players:

Goalkeepers:

1 -Manuel Galrinho Bento (Captain) (Sport Lisboa e Benfica)

2 -João Domingos Silva Pinto (Futebol Clube do Porto)

3- Antonio Augusto Gomes de Sousa (Sporting Clube de Portugal-Lisboa)

4- José Joaquín Pimentel Ribeiro (Boavista Futebol Clube-Porto)

5- Alvaro Monteiro De Magalhaes (Sport Lisboa e Benfica)

6 -Carlos Manuel Correia dos Santos (Sport Lisboa e Benfica)

7 -Jaime Moreira Pacheco (Sporting Clube de Portugal-Lisboa)

8- Frederico Nobre Rosa (Boavista Futebol Clube-Porto)

9- Fernando Mendes Soares Gomes (Futebol Clube do Porto)

10- Paulo Jorge dos Santos Futre (Futebol Clube do Porto)

11 -Oscar Bandeirinha (Academica Coimbra)

12 -Jorge Martins Silva (Clube de Futebol ´Os Belenenses`-Lisboa)

13-Farinha Henriques Morato (Sporting Clube de Portugal-Lisboa)

14- Jaime Fernandes Magalhaes (Futebol Clube do Porto)

15- Jesús Antonio Henrique Oliveira (Sport Lisboa e Benfica)

16- Jose Antonio Prudencio (Clube de Futebol ´Os Belenenses`-Lisboa)

17- Diamantino Manuel Fernandes Miranda (Sport Lisboa e Benfica)

18- Peixoto Goncalves Sobrinho (Clube de Futebol ´Os Belenenses`-Lisboa)

19- Jose Rui Lopes Aguas (Sport Lisboa e Benfica)

20-Augusto Soares Inacio (Futebol Clube do Porto)

21 -Antonio Santos Ferreira André (Futebol Clube do Porto)

22 -Vitor Manuel Afonso Damas de Oliveira (Sporting Clube de Portugal-Lisboa)

-Portugal’s Antonio Veloso was initially part of the World Cup squad, but hours before leaving for Mexico he tested positive for an anabolic steroid.

-Portugal manager Rui Seabra’s first match in charge. He was appointed following the resignation of Jose Torres following the World Cup.

Photo from: Onze, January 1987

-As a result of the aftermath of the suspensions, this was an under strength Portuguese squad. With many players earning first caps and many earning recalls after years away.

-Manuel Fernandes and Sheu Han had not played for Portugal since 1983.

Dito and Eduardo Luis last played for Portugal in 1984.

Alberto Fonseca had last played for Portugal in 1980.

-Portugal had not won a match since February 5, 1986 vs. Luxembourg (2-0) win and would not win a match until February 4, 1987 vs. Belgium (1-0) win.

-Portugal would not be able to call upon a full strength squad until the return match vs. Sweden on September 23, 1987, by which time the strike was resolved.

Photo from: Onze, October 1987

-Sweden’s Glenn Strömberg was a former Benfica player and Mats Magnusson joined Benfica the following season.

-Sweden’s Robert Prytz and Stromberg became teammates at Italy’s Atalanta in 1989.

-Sweden’s Glenn Hysen and Roland Nilsson played in the English League with Liverpool and Sheffield Wednesday respectively. Robert Prytz also played in Great Britain with rangers Glasgow.

-Sweden’s Johnny Ekstrom had been in a good scoring streak and was due to join Italy’s Empoli by the next month. This was his last match as an IFK Gothenburg player. He did rejoin the club in the 1990s after spells with Empoli, Bayern Munich and Cannes.

Photo from: Mondial, February 1987

-Glenn Hysen’s son Tobias has also played for Sweden.

-Sweden’s Prytz and Stromberg were the only foreign-based players on either team.

-IFK Gothenburg players: Roland Nilsson, Glenn Hysén, Peter Larsson and Stig Fredriksson won the UEFA Cup at the end of that season.

-Ze Beto and Eduardo Luis were part of the Porto squad that won the Champions Cup that season.

-Portugal’s Ze Beto, Fernando Mendes and Coelho earned their first caps. Coelho scored on his debut after coming on as a substitute.

-Portugal debutant Fernando Mendes went on to play all big three Portuguese clubs: sporting, Benfica and Porto.

-Portugal debutant goalkeeper Ze Beto (born February 21, 1960) was killed in a car accident on August 10, 1990 aged 30.

-Glenn Hysen scored vs. Portugal in a World Cup Qualifier on June 24, 1981 (3-0 Sweden win).

-The other teams in this UEFA European Championship qualifying group were Italy, Switzerland and Malta. Italy qualified from this group.

Match Reports:

Almanaque da Seleccao, 2004

100 Melhores do Futebol Portugues, Vol II, Author Rui Dias, 2002

Match Video / Highlights:

Articles on Teams and Events-Part 7

2012-01-20T22:38:00.000-08:00

An double article about the retirement of Frenchman Jean Tigana and Northern Ireland’s Norman Whiteside

(Magazine / Language : World Soccer, August 1991 / English)

Jean Tigana and Norman Whiteside

Photo from : Onze, April 1986

(Northern Ireland’s Norman Whiteside)

Photo From: L'Integrale de L'Equipe de France de Football, Authors: J.M. and Pierre Cazal, Michel Oreggia, 1998

(Jean Tiagan in action for France vs. Northern Ireland, July 4, 1982, World Cup France 4-Northern Ireland 1)

An article about the France and Soviet Union match from September 23, 1987

(Magazine / Language : Onze, October 1987 / French)

September 23, 1987-USSR 1-France 1

Photo from: Mondial, October 1987

(Luis Fernandez and Gennadi Litovchenko, September 23, 1987, EC Qualifier, USSR 1-France 1)

An article about Parma’s first season in the Serie A in 1990/91

(Magazine / Language : Guerin Sportivo, February 6, 1991 / Italian)

Parma-Serie A 1990/91

Photo from: Guerin Sportivo, February 6, 1991

(Belgian defender Georges Grun, one of the first foreigners in Parma’s inaugural season in Serie A in 1990/91)

Player Profiles-Part 7

2012-01-19T21:25:00.000-08:00

A profile on Welsh Striker Dean Saunders

(Magazine / Language : World Soccer, September 1991 / English)

Dean Saunders Profile

Photo : from World Soccer, September 1993

(Dean Suanders after scoring for Wales vs. Faroe Islands, June 6, 1993, World Cup Qualifier, Faroe Islands 0-Wales 3)

A profile on Frenchman Eric Cantona early in his career

(Magazine / Language : Onze, October 1987 / French)

Eric Cantona Profile

Photo from:Onze, October 1987

(Eric Cantona, in action during his first cap in 1987, August 12, 1987, West Germany 2-France 1)

A profile on Bayern Munich’s Thomas Strunz

(Magazine / Language : Fussball Magazin, April 1990 / German)

Thomas Strunz Profile

Photo from: Fussball Magazin, April 1990

(Then up and coming Bayern Munich midfielder Thomas Strunz in action vs. Koln during 1989/90 season)

Interviews-Part 10

2012-01-18T20:39:00.000-08:00

An double interview with Liverpool Stars Robbie Fowler and Steve McManaman

(Magazine / Language : Goal, April 1996 / English)

Robbie Fowler and Steve McManaman Interview

Photo from: Goal, April 1996

(Liverpool and England teammates Robbie Fowler and Steve McManaman)

An interview with the late Belgian defender Leo Clijsters

(Magazine / Language : Foot Magazine, October 1989 / Belgian French)

Leo Clijsters Interview

Photo from: Foot Magazine, October 1989

(Mechelen’s Leo Clijsters in action vs. Ajax during the 1988 Cup Winners Cup Final)

An interview with Italian Roberto Mancini

(Magazine / Language : Calcio 2000, April 1999 / Italian)

Roberto Mancini Interview

Photo from: Calcio 2000, April 1999

(Roberto Mancini in Sampdoria uniform)

Old Team and Match Photographs-Part 12

2012-01-17T21:32:00.000-08:00

Photo from: Guerin Sportivo, February 6, 1991

(Genoa’s Branco, between AC Milan’s Angelo Carbone and Tassoti, January 27, 1991, Genoa 1-AC Milan 1)

Photo from: Fussball Magazin, April 1990

(Koln midfeilder Thomas Haessler)

Photo from: Tele Poche

(Saint Etienne’s Jean-Francois Larios in action vs. Sochaux, to the right is Sochaux’s Bernard Genghini)

Photo from: Soccer International, May 1990

(Hungarian lineup, March 20, 1990, Hungary 2-USA 0)

Photo from: Onze-Mondial, December 1994

(Croatia’s Alen Boksic in action vs. Spain, March 23, 1994, Spain 0-Croatia 2)

Photo from: Mondial, October 1984

(Walsh in action vs. USSR, September 12, 1984, World Cup Qualifier, Republic of Ireland 1-USSR 0)

Photo from: Onze, April 1985

(Uruguay squad, March 10, 1985, World Cup Qualifier, Uruguay 2-Ecuador 1)

Photo : from Onze-Mondial, April 1977

(Swiss lineup, March 30, 1977, Portugal 1-Switzerland 0)

Photo : from Onze, August 1976

(West Germany’s Berti Vogts in action vs. Soain, May 22, 1976, European Championship –West Germany 2-Spain 0)

Photo : from World Soccer, November 1969

(Brazilian lineup from 1969)

Photo From: Les Bleus, Le livre official de l'equiep de France, Author: Dominique Grimault, 1997

(Di Nallo scoring France’s equalizer, April 6, 1968, European Championship-France 1-Yugoslavia 1)

Photo From: Il Libro Azzurro del Calcio Italiano, Authors: Pericle Pratelli, Pasquale Scardillo, 1974

(Italy squad, June 17, 1954, World Cup, Switzerland 2-Italy 1)

Photo From: The Essential History of England, Authors Andrew Mourant and Jack Rollin

(May 9, 1956, England 4-Brazil 2)

Photo From: El Grafico, Historia de la Seleccion Argentina

(February 25, 1945, Copa America Argentina 1-Uruguay 0)

Photo From: Landsholdet-I medgang og modgang, Author: Palle "Banks" Jorgensen

(Denmark aquad, July 1, 1945, Denmark 3-Sweden 4)

Photo From: The best of enemies, England V Germany, Author David Downing

(December 4, 1935, England 3-Germany 0)

Photo From: Österreichs Fußball Länderspiele Chronik 1902 – 1993, Author: Anton Egger

(Austrian squad, March 20, 1932, Dr. Gerö Cup, Austria 2-Italy 1)

Photo From: Oranje Toen En Nu, Deel 3, 1927-1932, 2002-2003, Author: Matty Verkamman

(April 18, 1927 Holland 8-Czechoslovakia (Amateur) 1)

Photo From: Österreichs Fußball Länderspiele Chronik 1902 – 1993, Author: Anton Egger

(Austria and Italy squads, January 15, 1922, Italy 3-Austria 3)

Photo From: Het Nederlands Elftal, De Histoire van Oranje, 1905-1989

(March 24, 1913, Holland 2-England (Amateur) 1 )

Photo From: Forever England, A History of the National Side, Authors Mark Shaoul, Tony Williamson

(England squad, October 25, 1919, Home Championship, Ireland 1-England 1)

Photo from: Capitaines des bleus depuis 1904, Author Vincent Duluc

(France squad, February 12, 1905, France 1-Switzerland 0)

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

(March 21, 1909, Belgium 1-Holland 4)

Photo from: Calcio 2000, April 1999

(1920s and 1930s Juventus goalkeeper, Giampiero Combi)

Photo from: Goal, April 1996

(Alberto Tarantini in action for River Plate)

Photo from: Mondial, April 1983

(Paris St. Germain’s Luis Fernandez in action vs. Watershei in March 1983 for Cup Winners Cup Quarterfinals)

Photo from: Onze, April 1986

(Internazionale’s Alessandro Altobelli in action vs. Nantes in UEFA Cup Quarterfinals in March 1986)

Photo from: Onze, October 1979

(SV Hamburg squad, 1979/80)

Photo from: World Soccer, August 1991

(Southampton teammates Matt Le Tissier and Neil Ruddock in an ad)

Photo from: Onze, October 1979

(Bayern Munich’s Gerd Muller celebrating after scoring)

Photo from: Onze, December 1979

(PSV Eindhoven’s Ernie Brandts)

Photo from: Onze, December 1979

(Benfica’s Joao Alves with his customary black gloves)

Photo from: Foot Magazine, November 1982

(Wendt of Standard Liege and Sergio Brio of Juventus, October 20, 1982, Champions Cup, Standard Liege 1-Juventus 1)

Trivia and Facts-Part 12

2012-01-16T16:22:00.000-08:00

1-In May 1964 before England’s trip to Lisbon for a match vs. Portugal, six members of the national team (Bobby Moore, Bobby Charlton, Gordon Banks, Ray Wilson, George Eastham and John Byrne) broke curfew and slipped out of the team hotel for a night on the town in London’s West End.

This was discovered when routine inspections were made.

When the six players returned passed curfew, they saw that Ramsey had placed each players passport on their bed.

This was a way of letting them know that he knew.

The next day after breakfast, he announced that they were people he needed to see and they know who they are.

The players followed him out of the room and he made them understand that it better not happen again.

Photo From: England Expects, Author James Corbett

(Alf Ramsey attempting to stop George Cohen from swapping jerseys with Argentina’s Alberto Gonzalez after the ill-tempered World Cup Quarterfinal match on July 23, 1966)

2- The controversial Atletico Madrid Chairman Jesus Gil hired and fired managers at will during his tenure.

During just the two seasons 1992/93 and 1993/94, he changed coaches 11 times.

1992/93:

Luis Aragones (Sacked February 1, 1993)

Iselin Santos Ovejero (Caretaker, February 1 to February 8)

Jose Omar Pastoriza (Argentina) (February 8 to March 23)

Iselin Santos Ovejero (Caretaker, March 23 to March 29)

Ramon Heredia (Argentina) (March 29 to the end of the season in June)

1993/94

Jose Pereira (Brazil) (Sacked October 21, 1993)

Ramon Heredia (Argentina) (October 21 to November 14)

Emilio Cruz (November 14 to January 17, 1994)

Jose Luis Romero (January 17 to February 27)

Iselin Santos Ovejero (Caretaker)

Jorge d’Alessandro (Argentina) (until end of season)

3-After the World Cup Qualifier on October 19, 1988 between West Germany and Holland, the customary exchanging jerseys did not take place.

The Germans boycotted it for that match because months earlier on June 21^st after the European Championship Semi Final between the two nations Dutch player Ronald Koeman was seen wiping his backside with West German Olaf Thon’s jersey in a disrespectful way

Photo From: Het Nederlands Elftal, De Histoire van Oranje, 1905-1989

(Ronald Koeman scoring from the spot, June 21, 1988 UEFA European Championship, West Germany 1-Holland 2)

Photo From: Het Nederlands Elftal, De Histoire van Oranje, 1905-1989

(Ronald Koeman, Between Guido Buchwald, Johnny Bosman and Frank Rijkaard, October 19, 1988, World Cup Qualifier, West Germany 0-Holland 0)

4- After Brazil’s dismal showing during the Confederations Cup of 2001 at Japan and Korea Republic, Brazil manager Emerson Leao resigned while at the Tokyo airport before the trip back to Brazil.

He resigned on the spot after being told by national team co-coordinator Antonio Lopes that he would be fired upon his return to Brazil.

Photo From : Mondial, July 1978

(Emerson Leao)

5-For about 12 days between May 6^th and May 18^th, 1985, Argentina teammates and Italian Serie A players: Diego Maradona and Daniel Passarella traveled back and forth between Europe and South America to play for the National team as well as their respective clubs of Napoli and Fiorentina.

They traveled in excess of 40,000 km and 65 hours of flight.

On May 6^th: Flight from Rome to Buenos Aires.

May 9^th: Friendly vs. Paraguay (1-1 tie, Maradona scoring)

May 10^th: Flight back to Rome

May 11^th: Mardona back at Naples and immediately travel to Udine for match with Udinese

May 12^th: Napoli match w/ Udinese (2-2 tie, 2 goals by Maradona)

May 13^th: Flight from Rome to Buenos Aires.

May 15^th: Friendly vs. Chile (2-0 win, 1 goal by Maradona)

May 18^th: Flight back to Rome to be ready for the last match of Italian season

Photo From: France Football, May 21, 1985, Issue 2041

(Trajectory of Maradona’s flights during may 1985)