Semifinals. It was unanimous: the four best teams reached the semis. Group phase now only a reference point, everybody concentrated on the next games. USSR proved Holland was beatable, the Germans were playing at home – they were expected to win. Italy was doing well, but the Soviets had lethal strikers and played exciting football… here looked like 50-50. Somewhat, a repeat of the 1972 European final seems likelier.
West Germany – Holland 1-2. 1974 was evoked. Back than the Germans outfoxed the flying Dutch. It was clear that Rinus Michels would go for attacking approach. Beckenbauer seemingly tried to copy his former coach Helmuth Schon – in 1975 Vogts was attached personally to Cruijff to shadow him everywhere and it worked. Now Kohler and Borowka had the same duty, attached to Gullit and van Basten. In the last moment Beckenbauer replaced already listed in the starters Littbarski with Mill – Michels did not budge to what he thought was only a trick to confuse his team, but eventually the change was considered a big mistake. Was it or not… depends on time: true, Littbarski was creative, fast, and the better player, but he was unpredictable. And in general, by 1988, everybody was tired with his failures to deliver. With Mill, who spent many years at the bench, the plan of Beckenbauer was clearer – Holland was too strong to outplay, so, step back to what the team played most of the 1980s: a war, constant fighting for every inch of the pitch. Eventually, the Germans played just that most of the match. And it was 1974 again, but this time a mirror image of it.
A battle of giants, one may thinks from a photo like this one, but it was mostly Holland. Germans scored first, though – from a penalty in the 55th minute. After that they moved back defending the result and wasting time as much as they could.
But there was a second penalty – this time against them and Ronald Koeman coolly equalized. Back in 1975 it was the opposite. The Dutch did not stop attacking, of course, and two minutes before the end of regular time the inevitable happened.
Kohler made a tiny mistake and van Basten made it 2-1 Holland. The reverse of 1974 was completed. Note that at Euro 1988 for the first time the rule for extending the game to compensate for lost time during the game was enforced: it was up to the referee to add minutes, not many, but some, so about 3 minutes were added – they were not enough to change anything. The mighty Germans lost at home. After the game Beckenbauer hinted his displeasure with the referee, but the fact was simple – his team was outplayed. In the Dutch camp the mood was more than triumphal – starting with Michels, the general was taking a revenge for 1974.
USSR – Italy 2-0. Italy had no problems with injured players and was in full force. Not so the Soviets – Khidiatullin was in question, after suffering severe cut on his face in the previous match. But he was fielded with stitches and bruises. Belanov, however, was not even a reserve for this game – looked like that Lobanovsky gave up on him after his bland play in the previous games. Strange it may be, but USSR looked more defensive oriented than Italy on paper: 4-5-1 vs Italian 4-4-2. On the field it was different and by far. First of all, the ‘meak’ Soviets started with clear message that they will fight by all means and Oleg Kuznetzov was yellow-carded in the 20th second of the match. More yellow cards followed as the game progressed, but the Soviets went into relentless attacks and Italy had no answer.
Franco Baresi is in control here and Gennady Litovchenko painfully watching, but in fact it was the other way around.
Italy was on the receiving end in both ways – went it came to rough defending.
And when it was a matter of dangerous attacks. The inevitable happened in two minutes – Litovchenko scored in the 60th minute and in the 62nd Protassov made it 2-0. The last Italian chance was in extra time , but it was only a matter of mercy. Ferri tried to score from a free kick, but it was no trouble for Dassaev and in any case it was all over. Their was massive praise for the Soviets after the game – ‘Bild’ called them ‘the caviar of football’. Even Lobanovsky was happy for a change and said he had no pretenses to any of his players for the first time at this tournament. He also added that if the result was against his team he would have been satisfied with his team after such great play, but that certainly was a lie. Vicini made the usual excuses – his team was too young and could not survive such terrific pressing for 90 minutes. Apollogies to the fans, but better next time.
The winners were clearly the best teams so far, it was only just they reached the final. As for the losers – they were looking for the future, since there was no present.
Beckenbauer said that his players lost most one-on-one challenges, that was the biggest handicap, but he was sure he will correct that and will qualify the team to the 1990 World Cup finals.
Vicini said that his young players got important lesson and experience and will have great team for the 1990 World Cup, possibly greater than the World champions of 1982. As we know, it is easy to promise the future.
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