Group 5 was without big favorite. Czechoslovakia were reigning European champions, but they failed to qualify for the 1978 World Cup. A generational change was seemingly going on, always a difficult period for any team, but the Czechoslovaks were not to be discarded. On one hand, they had curious cycle, going up, then down, then up again. On the other, they were coached again by Jozef Venglos, who had his ways of building a strong team. A good number of the 1976 European champions were still in the team. France was rising roughly since 1975 and made strong impression at the 1978 World Cup. The team still had few weaknesses, but there was sense that they should be reaching their peak and lead by Platini, already world-class star, they were perhaps a bit better than Czechoslovakia. And finally Sweden – the dark horse in the group. A decline and lack of influential players was detected especially at the 1978 World Cup, but Sweden was always a tough cooky. Their chances were considered small – most likely Sweden would play decisive role in the battle between France and Czechoslovakia. The outsider was obvious: Luxembourg.
Luxembourg – one of the teams existing only to improve the goal-difference of others in the 1970s. Lowly teams left little pictorial material of themselves, so it is a rare moment of showing such a team. Not a single recognizable name – no wonder nobody cared for the likes of Luxembourg.
The matches proceeded as expected – Sweden was too weak to aim at anything, yet, proved the decisive factor at the end. France and Czechoslovakia battled for the first place. They exchanged home victories, so the final standing depended on their other results. Before the last group match France was first with 9 points. Czechoslovakia had 8, but they hosted the only remaining game – against Luxembourg. Practically, it was over. And it was because of Sweden – in the very first match played in the group, Sweden visited France and clinched a 2-2 tie. The lost point robbed France of any chance at the end of the campaign.
The French team for the friendly with Bayern (Munich) in 1979 – showing both the strength and the weaknesses. Standing, from left: Specht, Bathenay, Battiston, Bossis, Lopez, Dropsy.
Crouching: Rocheteau, Larios, Pécout, Platini, Six.
Plusses : Platini, of course, and the defence which will be strong for many years to come – Battiston, Bossis, Lopez. Minusses : goalkeeping – decent, but not exceptional. Search for good keeper will goon for years. Attack – Six and Rocheteau were exciting indeed, but scoring was a problem. Efficiency was not great – and the problem was never really solved. Six was more efficient than Rocheteau ; Rochetaeu was more difficult for the opponents. Specht and Pecout were no solutions and on their way out of the team. France continued to be unfinished team and perhaps that was the reason they failed to qualify.
Czechoslovakia was thought a bit over the hill and having difficulties replacing key players – younger talent was not so great. Depending on familiar names was a bit risky, for they were well known around Europe and none developed further after 1976 – they reached the top of their potential back then. But Venglos was crafty coach. His team lost only the away match against France and made no other mistake, The schedule was cleverly made too – Czechoslovakia played their last match at home against Luxembourg. Sure win and if goal-difference was needed by then – the best opportunity to score as many goals as needed was at hand. But there was no need to play for goals – just a win was needed. Since the match was no contest, it ended 4-0.
The squad for the first match with Luxembourg – Venglos took every match seriously. Eight 1976 European champions here. Plus other well known players. Very experienced squad, in which, hopefully, the younger players would gradually edge the veterans. They did – Vizek, Stambachr,Kozak, Rott defined the team of the early 1980s. For the moment, mission accomplished – Czechoslovakia qualified, so the 1980 finals had the the champions of 1976 as well.
1. Czechoslovakia 5 0 1 17-4 10
2. France 4 1 1 13-7 9
3. Sweden 1 2 3 9-13 4
4. Luxembourg 0 1 5 2-17 1