The Olympics. The second big tournament in 1988, which never attracted great interest – but times were changing. What used to be a domain of the Communist Eastern Europe was no more that – professional players were permitted to play since 1984, with some restrictions, including age restrictions, so the Olympics got new importance – it was the place to see and may be snatch young talent.
The new rules forced even the Eastern Europeans to change their ways – not able to field their first teams anymore, now they organized true Olympic teams, entirely different from their first selections. The new rules were still either unclear or left some gaps for beating them, for the Soviets listed a squad with plenty of players older than 23: originally, 12 of total 20. Only one of the team played at the European finals – Mikhailichenko. Two players apparently were added later and played as regulars – Losev and Gorlukovich. The Olympic team was coached by a rival of Lobanovsky – Byshovetz, a fellow Ukrainian, but hardly a great fan of Lobanovsky, so there may have been some frictions between the two regarding players – may be some were ignored for ‘belonging’ to the rival. This working both ways, for the Olympics were late this time – starting in September, when the qualifications for the 1990 World Cup started as well. In any case apart from Mikhailichenko nobody else was much needed by Lobanovsky at the moment, so it was a true Olympic team. The other finalists acted according to their own vision – Europeans and South Americans more or less made made young squads with an eye to the future: promising players who may make the national team in time, reinforced by some old guys. The West Germans, for example, included Frank Mill, who made the national team for years, but played rarely for it. Klinsmann was in the team too. Brazil included Bebeto and Romario from the young prospects. Italy preferred dependable second stringers, having no chance to play for the first team – the goalkeeper of Juventus Tacconi, for instance. Argentina chose players who did not make the national team. Countries from other continents played with what they had at hand, which was more leaning towards their first teams for Asians and Africans and unknown young players for USA and Australia. Yugoslavia was closer to the West European approach – second stringers, a star or two, hopeful youngsters.
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