Republic of Ireland midfielder was considered one of the best in Europe and had along spell in the Serie A with Juventus, Sampdoria and Inter.
Unfortunately, during this period, the Irish always missed out on Tournaments.
By the time they started qualifying regularly under Jackie Charlton, Brady was near the tail end of his career.
Photo From: Mondial, new series, issue 19, October 1981
(Liam Brady at Juventus)
2- Faas Wilkes
Faas Wilkes is considered one of Holland’s first Football heroes in an era where Dutch Football was still not Professional.
He had a spell in Italy in the 1950s with Internazionale Milano and Torino.
However, the national was two decades away from making an impact on the World stage and missed out on qualification during his playing days.
Photo From: Het Nederlands Elftal, De Histoire van Oranje, 1905-1989
(Faas Wilkes shaking hands with a Swiss opponent, May 19, 1955, Holland 4-Switzerland 1)
3- Jari Litmanen
Jari Litmanen is perhaps the most successful Finnish player that made an impact in the European stage. He was part of Louis van Gaal’s Ajax Amsterdam side that won the Champions League in 1995. He had spells at giants Barcelona and Liverpool as well.
Unfortunatelty, the Finns have yet to qualify for any finals thus far.
Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 56, September 1993
(Jari Litmanen, May 14, 1992, World Cup Qualifier, Finland 0-Bulgaria 3)
4- Carlos Bianchi
Argentina goleador made his name in the 1970s. He left and joined the French league in the 1970s and despite breaking goalscoring records and finishing top goalscorer on five occasions, he was not called up again for national team duty.
He suffered the fate of many South Americans of the time, who would be overlooked by selectors, once they were on away soil.
Photo From: Onze, Issue 29, May 1978
(Carlos Bianchi at Paris St. Germain, 197/78)
5- Rui Jordao
Portugal’s Rui Jordao was a star in the 1970s with Benfica and Sporting Lisbon in the 1980s and also had a spell at Real Zaragoza (1976/77).
He is mostly remembered for his two goal display vs. France during the 1984 Euros (June 23, 1984, France 3-Portugal 2).
Portugal did not qualify for any World Cups in his prime in the 1970s.
Unfortunately, much like compatriot Fernando Chalana, he was considered too old and out of international reckoning by the 1986 World Cup.
Photo From: Mondial, new series, issue 53, August 1984
(Rui Jordao and Jean-Marc Ferreri, June 23, 1984, European Championship, France 3-Portugal 2)
1- Politics on the stands-USSR vs. Poland, 1982 World Cup
During the Poland and USSR matchup in the 1982 World Cup (July 4, 1982, USSR 0-Poland 0), Polish fans unfurled the Solidarity Banners of Lech Walesa.
The Spanish police (under a chorus of jeers) had to intervene and remove these banners after pressure from Soviet Television.
Photo From: Spain '82, The Winning of the World Cup, Authors Phil Soar and Richard Widdows
(Solidarity Movement Banners, July 4, 1982, World Cup, Poland 0-USSR 0 )
Photo From: Onze, Issue 90, June 1983
(Oleg Blokhin and Zbigniew Boniek, July 4, 1982, World Cup, Poland 0-USSR 0 )
2- English players giving the Nazi salute, 1938
The 1938 friendly between Germany and England in Berlin (May 14, 1938, Germany 3-England 6) is always remembered for the sight of the English players giving the Nazi salute.
It is somewhat unclear as to why the players did it (more importantly who forced them).
According to England Captain Edris Hapgood, he was called in by FA President Stanley Rous and tour leader Charles Wreford-Brown. They told him that after a meeting with the ambassador Sir Neville Henderson, they were instructed to give the Nazi salute prior to the kickoff to avoid any political incidents. (remember appeasement)
For his part, Stanley Rous claimed that he put the decision up to the players, but did point out that the match atmosphere might be affected by their refusal.
Given the sensitivity of game with the possibility war looming on the horizon, it seems unlikely that the authorities (Football or Political) would have left it up to the players.
Photo From: Calcio 2000, Issue 31, June 2000
(Edris Hapgood leading out England, May 14, 1938, Germany 3-England 6)
3- War in Bosnia/Yugoslavia, 1992
Just weeks prior to the 1992 Euros in Sweden, Yugoslavia who had already qualified were excluded from the tournament on Political grounds.
This was due to the escalation of the war into Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Denmark, the runner-ups in their Group, were invited to take their place and ended up winning the Tournament.
Photo From: (Magazine Source unknown) / Contribution From a blog viewer
(Denmark’s victorious squad, June 26, 1992, European Championship, Denmark 2-Germany 0)
4- Jacques Chirac and Bolivia 1997
For Years Bolivia’s home venue of Estadio Hernándo Siles at La Paz has been criticized by visiting teams. Due to the fact that it is very high above sea level, makes it hard to breath especially for visiting teams who are not acclimatized to the local conditions. Many have suggested for that particular venue to be banned. For their part, the Bolivians have claimed that it is an advantage similar to some nations playing in hot weather or cold.
When 1998 World Cup hosts France’s President was in an official visit in Bolivia in 1997, he lent public support for Bolivia to maintain what it considers a home field advantage.
Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 115, August 1998
(French President Jacques Chirac celegrating the World Cup win, July 12, 1998, World Cup, France 3-Brazil 0)
5- France and Italy Match 1938 World Cup
Italy and hosts France were to play one another during the Second Round of the 1938 World Cup in Paris (June 12, 1938, France 1-Italy 3).
Naturally, the Italians (under Benito Mussolini) expected a hostile reaction from the local fans, not to mention all the exiled Italians living in France.
Both teams wore Blue as their primary colors, it has been said lots were drawn to see who would wear blue and the French won. (Although perhaps as the host country, they already had that option).
The Italians could have worn their away strip of white, but it has been suggested that Mussolini himself wanted the Italians to wear their all Black jerseys to taunt the crowd and evoke memories of Fascist Black shirts.
Note: The Italians had already worn these black shirts weeks prior in a friendly (May 22, 1938, Italy 4-Yugoslavia 0)
Photo From: La Nazionale Italiana, 1978
(Italy squad, Top, left to right:Aldo Olivieri , Michele Andreolo, Ugo Locatelli , Alfredo Foni, Pietro Serantoni, Luigi ‘Gino’ Colaussi , Pietro Rava, Amedeo Biavati , Giovanni Ferrari, Silvio Piola, Giuseppe Meazza, June 12, 1938, World Cup, France 1-Italy 3)
Belgium’s Michel Renquin had to withdraw from Belgium squad to help his Swiss club Servette in the championship playoff. Georges Grun came in to replace him for the Euros.
Two days before Belgium’s friendly vs. Hungary, Enzo Scifo’s citizenship application was approved (He was of Italian descent). In the macth vs. Hungary, Alex Czerniatinski was sent off two minutes after coming on as a substitute.
England toured South America with matches vs. Brazil, Uruguay and Chile. The win vs. Brazil (managed by Zico’s brother Edu Antunes) at Maracana (2-0) will always be remembered for the beautiful solo goal scored by John Barnes.
England lost to Uruguay (0-2) and played a scoreless tie with Chile.
The 1984 Euros took palce in France with France winning with Michel Platini at his absolute best.
Denmark, Portugal and Spain were the surprises, while West Germany and Yugoslavia were great disappointments.
Juup Derwall ended his reign as West Germany Manager, soon to be replaced with Franz Beckenbauer. France’s Michel Hidalgo retired in style after eight years in charge.
France Millitary XI 0 –West Germany 3 (Rudi Voller 2, 44, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge 64)
Date: June 12, 1984
Competition: UEFA European Championship-Group 1
Venue: Paris -Parc de Princes
France 1-Denmark 0 (Michel Platini 77)
Photo From: Onze, Hors Serie 19, 1984
(Morten Olsen, Alain Giresse, Michel Platini (scoring France’s winner) and Soren Lerby, June 12, 1984, UEFA European Championship , France 1-Denmark 0)
Date: June 12, 1984
Competition: Friendly
Venue: Adelaide, Football Park
Australia 2-Juventus (Italy) 4 (Jim Cant 51, Charlie Yankos 85 pen / Zbigniew Boniek 7, 81, 88, Paolo Rossi 48)
