European Champions Cup. No major upsets until the ¼ finals. Ideology and politics played a role in the second round – Albanian 17 Nentori (Tirana) and Dinamo (Kiev) were paired together by the draw and the Albanians refused to play, the Soviet team qualified for the next round. And there they were eliminated by Hamburger SV – the first leg decided the clash: the Germans won 3-0 away. But here Polish Widzew (Lodz) met Liverpool and the unexpected happened – the Poles won 2-0 the home leg and managed to preserve their lead in hostile Liverpool. The hosts won, but only 3-2 and Widzew qualified. It seemed that English domination came to end – Aston Villa was also eliminated at the ¼ finals after losing both legs to Juventus. No English club reached semi-finals in any European tournament this year. However, the draw was easy on the big clubs this year too, so at the ½ finals the pairs were Real Sociedad vs Hamburger SV and Widzew vs Juventus. To a point, in both cases it was enthusiasm vs class and class prevailed. Hamburger SV tied the first leg 1-1 and then won in Hamburg 2-1.
The extraordinary run of Widzew ended here too – and in amusing way as well. To a large degree Widzew came out of obscurity thanks to Zbigniew Boniek However, the biggest European success of the club came without him- he was already sold to Juventus. And it was Boniek and Juventus ending preventing Widzew to reach the final. A rather ironic twist, but objectively Widzew was no match for Juventus. They had a few strong players, this time lead by Smolarek, but were especially strong squad. The fairly tale ended after 0-2 loss in Turin and 2-2 tie at home.
And the big final – Juventus vs Hamburger SV. The established powerhouse of Europe, West Germany vs rapidly recovering lost ground Italy. Neither club won this cup before, so both were eager and hungry. Both teams were mighty on paper, but no paper tigers here – both opponents were really strong, full of national teams players, world and European champions, some of the top stars of the recent years – it was even difficult to start making a list for who would be on top? Platini? Magath? It was a clash of coaches too – old fox Happel, who made nothing but champions, and already reputed Trapattoni, still young and very hungry for success. In fact, when the foes stepped on the pitch, only one thing was easy – to name those, who were not famous and even wonder why they were there: Brio and Groh. No favorite here, a clash of giants and expectations were very high. The clash was there alright, but, as often is the case when highly praised teams meet, expectations did not materialize.
The smiles were wiped out as soon as captain Hrubesch and Zoff moved a step away from the photographs.
The final was a battle
Tough and merciless, with bodies on the ground – bodies not outplayed, but rather failing in their attempt to tackle the opponent.
At first Juventus pushed forward and since Italians were not known for such adventures, it looked like that Juventus was stronger this day. However, Hamburger SV was unruffled and defense is no mystery for the Germans. The initial assault ended in the 7th minute, when Magath surprisingly turned and shoot from big distance.
It was surprise kick out of the blue and on target.
It stopped in the net. Magnificent goal, exciting, even magical moment, but… instant replay was common feature on television. Beautiful as it was, this goal should not have happened – it was typical Zoff’s goal. It was a weakness known for years – Zoff was vulnerable to long shots, he often missed them and reacted late, if at all. It was a surprise shot, surely, but a world champion keeper with over 20 years of experience and considered among the best keepers in the world for about 10 years straight should not be caught like that. It shows even on the picture – Zoff is hesitating, awkward, late… one should think that Happel instructed his players to try precisely such shots and Magath followed the advice.
The early goal turned the table around – Hamburger SV usual the Italian shock to its advantage, pushed and pressed, and dominated the first half. As a whole, Hamburger SV was in control and more effective – even when the roles were reversed in the second half and Juventus looked more dangerous and possessing the ball, the Germans were together, cool, not falling apart, and absolutely sure what they were doing. Defense was what they were doing for the most time of the second half.
If the first half was German,
most of the second half was Italian – but still there was difference. Felix Magath, above, was the key German figure, a playmaker often able to organize attacks, Roberto Bettega was somewhat isolated – he appeared the most dangerous Italian striker, but when he had the ball it was more likely not to be a result of a well organized attack, but his own individual effort. Small differences, but telling…
Scoring opportunities were few and actual shots even fewer,
but the Germans were better in getting the ball first and at least able to finish the attack.
For all its push in the second half, Juventus displayed rather chaotic play and some deficiencies became painfully visible – Rossi was entirely lost. It was not very clear what his role to be – the prime striker, for whom scoring opportunities should have been created and the ball passed to him. If that was the idea, it was understandable why Bettega was moved a bit back and given secondary role. However, nobody was creating opportunities and no ball was passed to Rossi. Platini failed as playmaker, if it was his role for the day, which was also unclear. Bettega was the better option in front against tough physical German defenders – and Juventus was more dangerous when he moved in front, but… that was obviously not the game plan. Rossi roamed aimlessly this way and that way, the Italians passing to him, instead to Bettega, Platini passing to midfielders instead to strikers and what was Boniek role was a pure mystery first of all to him. The whole push ahead in the second half was largely a result of individuals efforts – Platini took clearly attacking role, but Boniek, when the ball went to him simply dribbled alone, trying to do it alone – thus Bettega and Rossi were practically out of the game. It was quite disjointed play, the key stars seemingly convinced that no partner will give them the ball, so why even searching for a scoring position – it was better just to get the ball and try to reach the German net alone. It almost worked… in the 72nd minute it looked like Stein brought down Platini, but the referee did not whistle. The Italians protested, but no call. And that was their best opportunity.. right after that the Germans gained control of the game again, missed two scoring opportunities, but in any case it was their game to the end. As a whole, a great battle, but unattractive… Four yellow cards, a lot of running and tackling, few scoring opportunities, few shots at the nets and defenders, including defensive midfielders more impressive than superstar strikers and attacking midfielders.
Final, Olympiakos Stadium – Spiros Louis, Athens, 25 May 1983, att 75000
Hamburger SV (1) 1 Juventus (0) 0
7′ 1-0 H: Magath
Hamburger SV (trainer Happel): Stein; Kaltz, Hieronymus, Jakobs, Wehmeyer; Groh, Rolff, Magath, Milewski; Bastrup (Von Heesen 55), Hrubesch
Juventus (trainer Trapattoni): Zoff; Gentile, Brio, Scirea, Cabrini; Bonini, Tardelli, Bettega; Platini, Rossi (Marocchino 55), Boniek
Referee: Rainea (Romania)
Familiar, but new for Hamburger SV picture – the winners making their round with the trophy. The moment of glory. Particularly sweet after prevailing in a great battle.
Juventus lost a second European Champions Cup final with the same result as the first time – 0-1. It was unfair, to Italian eyes – they were robbed of a penalty. Fuel was added by Happel’s answer to the question – he did not see what happened, TV cameramen blocked his view. The typical evasion of the truth… no coached ever saw the obvious,when robbery benefited him. Was it a penalty or not, was not clear at all – careful watching of the moment rather shows the referee was right. Yet, it could have been called… but even if it was called, so what? If scored, it would have been a tie. And a tie was pretty much the most Juventus deserved – they were much weaker than Hamburger SV, had more trouble reaching the German penalty area, fewer shots, and were quite unable to create scoring opportunities. Juventus was to blame for something obvious – Platini, Boniek, Rossi, and Bettega were unable to work together. Their teammates seemed often lost as of whom to give the ball – by habit, it seemed, the Italians chose to pass to either Rossi or Bettega instead of Boniek or Platini. But the strikers, told to get the ball from Platini, were simply not in the right position – or not at the expected place at all – for a pass from Italian defender. Rossi in particular was quite uncertain of his position and lost for the most of the game, reduced to nothing, and finally substituted – although, the reason given was injury. Absolutely ineffective. As a whole, the combination Rossi-Bettega was rather weak and perhaps it was just fine that Bettega was leaving. But with them in front, it was entirely unclear what position Boniek was playing – a pure striker he was obviously not and playmaker was supposed to be Platini. In limbo, Boniek was more or less out of the game in the first half. In the second he decided to take all in his hands, trying to get some result individually – and competed with Platini,who decided the same. There was sense of desperation… Bettega also tried to play alone – and what else, since nobody was trying to play with him and for him. It was quite obvious that Bettega was more dangerous in front of the net, when he was the typical center-forward – but apparently that was not the game plan, so instead of seeking him, the ball was passed back to Rossi. If at all passed to a striker. And passed not by Platini, but from some of those with supportive roles. Perhaps it should have been organized differently – Platini as dispatcher in midfield, passing the ball in open space at the flanks to Rossi as a winger, and he crossing to the front of the net, creating opportunity for Bettega and coming from back Boniek. Something like that… or even Boniek used as a winger. Easy to gibe advice after the fact… and the fact was Juventus was rather disappointing.
Nobody criticizes winners – particularly in the heat of the moment: then they are praised to the skies, they are great, outstanding, the best ever. No denying – it was the finest moment of the finest year of Hamburger SV. Happel did it again, whatever he touched ended a champion. It was also a culmination of steady rise of the club, which started in 1975 – coaches and players changed, so only Manfred Kaltz remained from that first team. No longer young… Was it the best vintage is hard to say – there were players like Keegan before – but without a doubt this was the most successful vintage. And since so far the transformations of the squad were successful, there was every reason to believe that Hamburger SV was building a dynasty and joining the small number of the greatest and mightiest European clubs. There was already a tread of continuity – Happel and Hrubesch would be gone, it was already certain – but before them other coaches and players of similar caliber were gone and the team only became stronger. However, there was something else… by now, German football was no longer attractive – only strong, disciplined, competent, and physical. And Hamburger SV was no exception – earlier vintages were more attractive to the eye. These guys were exactly outplaying the opposition – they only prevailed over opponents. They fought and extracted victory – 1-0 was a victory. Magath scored wonderful goal, but it was also a lucky goal… and it was enough. And it was quite telling that the goal was practically the only bright and memorable moment – the rest was just battle, nobody really shined, it was a victory remembered just because it was victory – the football was easily forgettable, a match nothing to talk about. Hardly to blame Happel for that – he played the football the players at hand were able to play: he had Germans, he made competent sturdy team. Winners – that was what he always made. It is always difficult and suspect to judge harshly teams playing against Italians – for chances for entertaining football were slim on such occasions – but Hamburger SV did not particularly excited viewers and… did not build a dynasty. In fact, this victory was their finest moment, their peak. It was May and everything looked great, the future even greater. Comes November… so let stay in May. Brand new European champions. An excellent result of good work, started years ago. German football is still the European leader. Hamburger SV joined the ranks of the greatest. Magath is more effective than Platini.