European championship, Group 1. France, Belgium, Yugoslavia, Denmark.
France
Standing from left: Domergue, Battiston, Bossis, Tigana, Bats, Fernandez.
Crouching: Giresse, Platini, Ferreri, Rocheteau, Six.
Head coach: Michel Hidalgo
No.
Pos.
Player
Date of birth (age)
Caps
Club
1
GK
Joël Bats
4 January 1957 (aged 27)
7
Auxerre
2
DF
Manuel Amoros
1 February 1962 (aged 22)
21
AS Monaco
3
DF
Jean-François Domergue
23 June 1957 (aged 26)
1
Toulouse
4
DF
Maxime Bossis
26 June 1955 (aged 28)
55
Nantes
5
DF
Patrick Battiston
12 March 1957 (aged 27)
31
Bordeaux
6
MF
Luis Fernández
2 October 1959 (aged 24)
12
Paris Saint-Germain
7
MF
Jean-Marc Ferreri
26 December 1962 (aged 21)
9
Auxerre
8
MF
Daniel Bravo
9 February 1963 (aged 21)
8
AS Monaco
9
MF
Bernard Genghini
18 January 1958 (aged 26)
22
AS Monaco
10
MF
Michel Platini (Captain)
21 June 1955 (aged 28)
48
Juventus
11
MF
Bruno Bellone
14 March 1962 (aged 22)
14
AS Monaco
12
MF
Alain Giresse
2 August 1952 (aged 31)
28
Bordeaux
13
MF
Didier Six
21 August 1954 (aged 29)
49
Mulhouse
14
MF
Jean Tigana
23 June 1955 (aged 28)
28
Bordeaux
15
DF
Yvon Le Roux
19 April 1960 (aged 24)
9
AS Monaco
16
FW
Dominique Rocheteau
14 January 1955 (aged 29)
37
Paris Saint-Germain
17
FW
Bernard Lacombe
15 August 1952 (aged 31)
34
Bordeaux
18
DF
Thierry Tusseau
19 January 1958 (aged 26)
10
Bordeaux
19
GK
Philippe Bergeroo
13 January 1954 (aged 30)
3
Toulouse
20
GK
Albert Rust
10 October 1953 (aged 30)
0
Sochaux
The favourite not just of the Group, but of the whole tournament. True, France the form of France was somewhat unknown, for, as host, the team did not play any official matches since the 1982 World Cup, but it was formidable squad, led by the best European player at the moment Michel Platini. The midfield was fantastic, the defense, especially after the miraculous recovery of Patrick Battiston, very strong, and the attack – good enough. Experience was on the side of France too – Hidalgo’s team playing these players together for quite some time. Very technical and creative team. On the downside was goalkeeping – traditional problem, and strikers having difficulty scoring, also an old problem. The lost semi-final against West Germany in 1982 also advised caution: against tough and physical fighters, the French could lose.
Belgium
Head coach: Guy Thys
No.
Pos.
Player
Date of birth (age)
Caps
Club
1
GK
Jean-Marie Pfaff
4 December 1953 (aged 30)
Bayern Munich
2
DF
Georges Grün
25 January 1962 (aged 22)
Anderlecht
3
DF
Paul Lambrichts
16 October 1954 (aged 29)
Beveren-Waas
4
DF
Leo Clijsters
6 November 1956 (aged 27)
Waterschei Thor
5
DF
Michel de Wolf
19 January 1958 (aged 26)
Gent
6
MF
Franky Vercauteren
28 October 1956 (aged 27)
Anderlecht
7
MF
René Vandereycken
22 July 1953 (aged 30)
Anderlecht
8
MF
Nico Claesen
1 October 1962 (aged 21)
Seraing
9
FW
Erwin Vandenbergh
26 January 1959 (aged 25)
Anderlecht
10
MF
Ludo Coeck
26 September 1955 (aged 28)
Internazionale
11
MF
Jan Ceulemans (Captain)
28 February 1957 (aged 27)
Club Brugge
12
GK
Jacky Munaron
8 September 1956 (aged 27)
Anderlecht
13
DF
Marc Baecke
24 July 1956 (aged 27)
Beveren-Waas
14
MF
Walter de Greef
13 November 1957 (aged 26)
Anderlecht
15
DF
René Verheyen
20 March 1952 (aged 32)
Club Brugge
16
MF
Enzo Scifo
19 February 1966 (aged 18)
Anderlecht
17
MF
Eddy Voordeckers
4 February 1960 (aged 24)
Waterschei Thor
18
FW
Alexandre Czerniatynski
28 July 1960 (aged 23)
Anderlecht
19
MF
Raymond Mommens
27 December 1958 (aged 25)
Lokeren
20
GK
Wim de Coninck
23 July 1959 (aged 24)
Waregem
Belgium was the most likely second – one of the best European teams since 1980. The team was the first to qualify to the finals and with flying colours. Very mature team, very experienced, practically having no weak posts. But the Belgian bribing scandal crippled it just before the finals – 6 players were suspended, the biggest loss – Eric Gerets. Late changes of so many players could rattle any country and , unfortunately, Belgium did not have large pool of players. There were serious and justified doubts that Belgium would be a shadow of itself – the time for integrating weaker replacements was too short. On the other hand, most key players were not involved in the scandal and there were few very talented youngsters, especially Enzo Scifo. And one was certain – Belgium always fought bravely. Even crippled, still among the favourites and expected to qualify to the semi-finals.
Yugoslavia
Head coach: Todor Veselinović
No.
Pos.
Player
Date of birth (age)
Caps
Club
1
GK
Zoran Simović
2 November 1954 (aged 29)
Hajduk Split
2
DF
Nenad Stojković
26 May 1957 (aged 27)
Partizan Belgrade
3
DF
Mirsad Baljić
4 March 1962 (aged 22)
Željezničar Sarajevo
4
DF
Srečko Katanec
16 July 1963 (aged 20)
Olimpija Ljubljana
5
DF
Velimir Zajec (Captain)
12 February 1956 (aged 28)
Dinamo Zagreb
6
DF
Ljubomir Radanović
21 July 1960 (aged 23)
Partizan Belgrade
7
MF
Miloš Šestić
8 August 1958 (aged 25)
Red Star Belgrade
8
MF
Ivan Gudelj
21 September 1960 (aged 23)
Hajduk Split
9
MF
Safet Sušić
13 April 1955 (aged 29)
Paris Saint-Germain
10
MF
Mehmed Baždarević
20 September 1960 (aged 23)
Željezničar Sarajevo
11
FW
Zlatko Vujović
26 August 1958 (aged 25)
Hajduk Split
12
GK
Tomislav Ivković
11 August 1958 (aged 25)
Red Star Belgrade
13
DF
Faruk Hadžibegić
7 October 1957 (aged 26)
FK Sarajevo
14
DF
Marko Elsner
11 April 1960 (aged 24)
Red Star Belgrade
15
DF
Branko Miljuš
17 August 1961 (aged 22)
Hajduk Split
16
MF
Dragan Stojković
3 March 1965 (aged 19)
Radnički Niš
17
FW
Josip Čop
14 October 1954 (aged 29)
Hajduk Split
18
FW
Stjepan Deverić
20 August 1961 (aged 22)
Dinamo Zagreb
19
FW
Sulejman Halilović
14 November 1955 (aged 28)
Dinamo Vinkovci
20
MF
Borislav Cvetković
30 September 1962 (aged 21)
Dinamo Zagreb
Yugoslavia was never dismissed out of hand, but, traditionally, it was moody team – the first reason for mistrust. Todor Veselinovic made a new team, having little resemblance to the one which failed at the 1982 World Cup, and the key question was was it finished and polished. Yugoslavia was not very convincing in their qualification group. Some players were seemingly no batter than some discarded veterans, like Vladimir Petrovic. A few stars were left out in the last minute – notably, Bora Peruzovic and Zoran Vujovic. The cluster of leading players, Veselinovic was betting on, was not entirely convincing – Nenad Stojkovic, Velimir Zajec, Safet Susic, Milos Sestic, Zlatko Vujovic, Ivan Gudelj, and Mehmed Bazdarevic, were often not in the best form as a group, and compared to older stars, lacking enough class. In the same time highly talented youngsters were still too young and inexperienced to be trusted – Srecko Katanec, Dragan Stojkovic, Stjepan Deveric, and Borislav Cvetkovic (Darko Pancev was left out of the team entirely). There were clearly suspect players, beginning with the goalkeepers – they were not young (Zoran Simovic was 29 years old, Josip Cop- 29, Sulejman Halilovic 28, Faruk Hadzibegic – 26) and if they were unable to become national team regulars so far and clearly taken just as reserves now… the impression was of unfinished and somewhat confused team. There were weak positions in this squad – the goalkeeper was prime example: Simovic was not very reliable. If Yugoslavia was not to be dismissed, it had to do more with their opponents: technical teams and Yugoslavia generally played better against such, and severely weakened Belgium. But it was not going to be some great performance from Yugoslavia, but rather chance and circumstance, if they managed to go to the semi-finals.
Denmark
Top, left to right: Fleming Chrsitensen, Jan Molby, Ivan Nielsen, Preben Elkjaer-Larsen, Klaus Berggreen
Middle, left to right: K. Johansen (assistant coach), Ole Madsen, Per Frimann, Ole Kjaer, Ole Qvist, Michael Laudrup, Sepp Piontek (Manager)
Bottom, left to right: John Lauridsen, Jens Jorn Bertelsen, Jesper Olsen, Soren Busk, Allan Simonsen, Morten Olsen.
Head coach: Sepp Piontek
No.
Pos.
Player
Date of birth (age)
Caps
Club
1
GK
Ole Kjær
16 August 1954 (aged 29)
26
Esbjerg
2
DF
Ole Rasmussen
19 March 1952 (aged 32)
38
Hertha BSC
3
DF
Søren Busk
10 April 1953 (aged 31)
29
Gent
4
DF
Morten Olsen (Captain)
14 August 1949 (aged 34)
62
Anderlecht
5
DF
Ivan Nielsen
9 October 1956 (aged 27)
16
Feyenoord
6
MF
Søren Lerby
1 February 1958 (aged 26)
37
Bayern Munich
7
MF
Jens Jørn Bertelsen
15 February 1952 (aged 32)
44
Seraing
8
MF
Jesper Olsen
20 March 1961 (aged 23)
16
Ajax
9
MF
Allan Simonsen
15 December 1952 (aged 31)
46
Vejle
10
FW
Preben Elkjær
11 September 1957 (aged 26)
38
Lokeren
11
FW
Klaus Berggreen
3 February 1958 (aged 26)
14
Pisa
12
MF
Jan Mølby
4 July 1963 (aged 20)
8
Ajax
13
MF
John Lauridsen
2 April 1959 (aged 25)
15
Espanyol
14
FW
Michael Laudrup
15 June 1964 (aged 19)
13
Lazio
15
MF
Frank Arnesen
30 September 1956 (aged 27)
31
Anderlecht
16
GK
Troels Rasmussen
7 April 1961 (aged 23)
7
Aarhus
17
FW
Steen Thychosen
22 September 1958 (aged 25)
1
Vejle
18
DF
John Sivebæk
25 October 1961 (aged 22)
20
Vejle
19
FW
Kenneth Brylle
22 May 1959 (aged 25)
8
Anderlecht
20
GK
Ole Qvist
25 February 1950 (aged 34)
25
KB
The big surprise, but also the underdog. It was felt that Denmark, no matter how much improved in the recent years, was till far bellow the top European teams. Yes, there were big stars here, but Denmark had stars before, but they were too few to really help. Allan Simonsen was getting too old and his peak was years ago. Morten Olsen was also old. Soren Lerby and Frank Arnesen were at the right age, but still it was too small group of outstanding players. Michael Laudrup was too young. The rest were may be solid, but largely unknown players. Goalkeeping was eternal problem without solution – Kjaer and Qvist were both mediocre and Denmark used them alternatively for years, there was nobody else. Still, it had to taken into account that almost the whole squad played professionally abroad – it was not the same in the past – and they eliminated England, beating her in London. Denmark perhaps was capable of upsetting at least one team in the group, but reaching semi-finals? Impossible.