Group B was much tougher than Group A and it was more difficult to predict therefore, but England was chosen as the likelier winner. The arguments in favour were strong: England was England – always a favourite and even more so because it was the first time since 1970 the team reached the finals. The 1970s were terrible disappointment, England was unable to find the right players for a successful team, played old kind of football no longer effective against those practicing total football. Yet, there were great payers, including the best European footballer of the last two years Kevin Keegan. Younger generation was also pushing ahead. Nobody ever doubted the great fighting spirit of any English team, but now there was more to it: it was hungry team, full of stars determined to restore English pride. English clubs were the best in Europe and they provided the bulk of very experienced squad, which was very familiar with the strength of the continental teams and their game. It was the right blend of young and old, the core players were at their prime, and it was the only team among the finalists having no troubles: at every post there were two equal players. The only missing players was Trevor Francis, who was unfortunately injured, but his absence was not big deal – there were others. England was the only country having enough depth to replace any member of the squad with another of similar quality.
Ron Greenwood was at the helm since 1977 and under him England played consistently strong football – they lost only 3 of their 28 matches under Greenwood. Two were friendlies. The third was official – 1-4 to Wells in the Championship of Great Britain. The qualification group, although a weak one, was a breeze. Greenwood seemingly was the right coach, the players had no problems with him. He claimed that England not only was in great form, but also successfully changed her style – combining the typical British football with European innovations. It was not one-man team, but a good collective. Kevin Keegan was of the same mind, praising Greenwood. Picky English press agreed. Continental media was more reserved on the issue of style, but still saw England as prime candidate for the title.
1
1GK
Ray Clemence
(1948-08-05)5 August 1948 (aged 31)
Liverpool
2
2DF
Phil Neal
(1951-02-20)20 February 1951 (aged 29)
Liverpool
3
2DF
Kenny Sansom
(1958-09-26)26 September 1958 (aged 21)
Crystal Palace
4
2DF
Phil Thompson
(1954-01-21)21 January 1954 (aged 26)
Liverpool
5
2DF
Dave Watson
(1946-10-05)5 October 1946 (aged 33)
Southampton
6
3MF
Ray Wilkins
(1956-09-14)14 September 1956 (aged 23)
Manchester United
7
4FW
Kevin Keegan (c)
(1951-02-14)14 February 1951 (aged 29)
Hamburg
8
3MF
Steve Coppell
(1955-07-09)9 July 1955 (aged 24)
Manchester United
9
4FW
David Johnson
(1951-10-23)23 October 1951 (aged 28)
Liverpool
10
3MF
Trevor Brooking
(1948-10-02)2 October 1948 (aged 31)
West Ham United
11
4FW
Tony Woodcock
(1955-12-06)6 December 1955 (aged 24)
Köln
12
2DF
Viv Anderson
(1956-07-29)29 July 1956 (aged 23)
Nottingham Forest
13
1GK
Peter Shilton
(1949-09-18)18 September 1949 (aged 30)
Nottingham Forest
14
2DF
Trevor Cherry
(1948-02-23)23 February 1948 (aged 32)
Leeds United
15
3MF
Emlyn Hughes
(1947-08-28)28 August 1947 (aged 32)
Wolverhampton Wanderers
16
2DF
Mick Mills
(1949-01-04)4 January 1949 (aged 31)
Ipswich Town
17
3MF
Terry McDermott
(1951-12-08)8 December 1951 (aged 28)
Liverpool
18
3MF
Ray Kennedy
(1951-07-28)28 July 1951 (aged 28)
Liverpool
19
3MF
Glenn Hoddle
(1957-10-27)27 October 1957 (aged 22)
Tottenham Hotspur
20
4FW
Paul Mariner
(1953-05-22)22 May 1953 (aged 27)
Ipswich Town
21
4FW
Garry Birtles
(1956-07-27)27 July 1956 (aged 23)
Nottingham Forest
22
1GK
Joe Corrigan
(1948-11-18)18 November 1948 (aged 31)
Manchester City
To many these lads were the new European champions. No need to mention Keegan, but the rest were great on their own right. The midfield was a dream: Wilkins, Coppel, and Brooking. Emelyn Hughes and Trevor Cherry were not even starters – such a luxury was just a dream even for the West Germans. Yet, their presence proved the strength of England from another angle: the veterans were still so great, they beat younger competition and made the team. The reserves were just as strong as the chosen eleven. The first ever black player was included – Viv Anderson, one of the Nottingham Forest conquers of Europe. Relations were seemingly good, nobody was sulking because of sitting on the bench. The mood was optimistic and further boosted by Elton John, who visited the boys in Italy and entertained them with a song, written for the occasion. The group was tough, but everybody felt England was stronger than the other teams. Class, skill, form, long squad, great coach, the right spirit, pride, hunger for success, support from fans and media – everything was on English side.