Football Journey

The Cup final in a way completed a season giving a candy to everyone of the best Austrian clubs. Swarowaski-Wacker and VOEST (Linz) reached the final. VOEST was fifth in the league, still going strong, but not really at the level of their champion year a couple of seasons earlier. They were also the club practically without stars when compared to the other top teams. The first leg of the final was played in Linz. 8000 people attended, a modest number, at first glance, but one has to remember this was Austria – actually, big attendance for the small and not particularly crazy about football country. The hosts opened in the 32nd minute, courtesy of Michael Lorenz. The visitors equalized by Welzl in the middle of the second half, in the 64th minute. No more goals were scored, a tied game without a winner.

The second leg was equally competitive, but in Innsbruck the hosts had the natural advantage. Slightly bigger audience – 8500 – naturally, most of them were Swarovski-Wacker supporters. However, the visitors silenced Tirol early – Hagmayr opened in the 5th minute. The hosts reacted quickly and equalized two minutes later – P. Scwartz scored in the 7th minute. Just before the end of the first half they went ahead thanks to Peter Koncilia. The efforts of both teams in the second half produced nothing and the match ended 2-1. VOEST lost.

Coming close to success, but only that. Brave, still trying to stay among the best Austrian clubs, but, realistically speaking, playing at the final was the most VOEST were able of.

Swarovski-Wacker were not overwhelming winners, but having more class was enough of a difference. A fourth cup for the club, which in a single decade became one of the most successful clubs in Austrian football history.

 

So far, Swarovski-Wacker won five titles – 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, and 1977. And four cups – 1970, 1973, 1975, and the fresh 1978. The most successful club of the country of the 1970s, but the peak was mat be two or three years ago. Unlike Austria and Rapid, Swarovski-Wacker was no longer rising, but was only stable. Like their competitors, they also had a great player – Bruno Pezzey, already called ‘the new Beckenbauer’. Perhaps that was the whole difference – attacking football was prevailing: Rapid had fantastic striker, Krankl; Austria – fantastic midfielder, Prohaska; and having fantastic defender was just not enough in the championship. Swarovski-Wacker maintained position by winning the Cup, but it was already clear that the key players of the team – Pezzey, F. Koncilia, and Welzl – were not going to stay for long. Behind them were solid, experienced, but not extraordinary players going old. The signs of approaching decline… Swarovski-Wacker was not a contender in the championship and the cup was a bit of a consolation prize. Still, a victory is a victory, and a cup – an important trophy. Nine trophies since 1970! And a bit of novelty – the colours of Swarovski-Wacker are green and black. Yet, in the 1970s they often played in white. This year – red and white.

Austria enjoyed excellent year, may be the best since 1950s. International success on both national team and club level, a number of players recognized as major international stars. Small, but talented generation of player, perhaps benefiting of the reduction of the Austrian league: now they were concentrated in fewer clubs, competing between themselves. It was the most Austria could do – a small country, there was simply no way to produce big quantity of top players and maintain large league. Second division was already a different world, hardly having anything in common with the top teams. It was standard 16-team league and it was clear that most members had no place in first division. Some had no place even in second level. The divisions were overwhelming: the three teams in the relegation zone were clear outsiders – ASV Stockerau were last with 16 points, 15th was ASK Salzburg with 17 points, and 14th was SC Tullin with 18 points. The club at the safe 13th place, SCA Saint Veit, never worried – they finished with 7 points more than SCA Saint Veit. Most of the league was similar to SCA Saint Veit – small clubs, which even if they reached promotion, it would have been useless. There was no fight for the single promotion… Austria (Salzburg), the only club with a chance of surviving in first division, was too much for the rest of league: they lost only 3 matches and finished 10 points above the nearest ‘competitors’. First division obviously concentrated everything the Austrians had.

Which means 10 clubs… five of them were located in Vienna. Two represented Graz and two – Linz. Austrian football was practically concentrated in four cities, which given the low attendance and limited money, was actually good – local derbies attracted more viewers and traveling coasts were down. The teams played 4 times against each other, which was not exactly a blessing: yes, the best players had to be in good form and benefited from constantly playing against each other, but it was a bit boring and familiar – same teams playing again and again. But the reduced league seemingly worked – at least, there were no meaningless matches, everybody had to give their best to avoid trouble. There was no comfortable, sleepy middle zone. Escaping relegation was on everybody’s mind for the most of the season – at the end, the final table reveals that only 4 clubs were really safe. The unfortunate last place was decided by goal-difference, Admira Wacker and Linzer ASK finishing with 28 points. Admira Wacker was -22; LASK ended -23… one goal was the whole difference between relegation and survival. LASK went down.

Relegated clubs almost never have much of a squad and LASK was no exception: two unknown Yugoslavians, Nebojsa Vuckovic and Miroslav Vukasinovic, two still only promising talents – Klaus Lindenberger and Helmut Koglberger, and one aging and over the hill veteran – Walter Gebhardt. Not much, but other clubs were not having very different squads either. Perhaps a little worse than the rest, perhaps a bit weaker team, perhaps a bit unlucky… LASK was not a hopeless outsider, compered to other clubs, but down they went.

The top four were familiar and constant in those years. They also built a 5 point difference between themselves and the lower six clubs. Three of the best competed to the end for better place – 4 points separated second from 4th, but it was entirely expected and according to each relative strength. Sturm (Graz), the weakest, ended 4th.

Swarovski Wacker (Innsbruck) took bronze, having a point more than Sturm. Yes, Bruno Pezzey was in the squad, already named ‘the new Beckenbauer’, but the peak of Swarovski Wacker was may be two years ago. It was solid, experienced, but it was also clear that the top players – Pezzey, F. Koncilia, and Welzl – must go to other, bigger and stronger clubs, almost surely abroad.

Second finished Rapid (Vienna). No surprise either – traditional favourite, the club with most titles in the country, and also improving in the last few years.

Rapid was rising, but was not at its peak yet. It was still the second best and finished accordingly the season – managed to built a small 3-point from the pursuers, but lagged 16 points behind the champions. Still in need of few top quality players, still shaping. And it was not an easy task – Hans Krankl was already among the very best European players. It was unlikely Rapid can keep him – and it did not: after the end of the season Krankl went to Barcelona. But what a season he had!

Krankl scored 41 goals in 34 total league matches: more than one goal per match average. He alone score more than 50% of Rapid’s goals – 41 out of 76. The next best scorer not only achieved only a half of Krankl’s numbers, but the combined record of the second and third year’s scorers was still less than his – Hans Pirkner with 20, and Thomas Paritz with 15, both of Austria (Vienna) together was 6 goals short. Astonishing season for the 24-years old Krankl – no wonder Barcelona eyed him and quickly grabbed him to replace no other but Cruyff.

Fantastic Krankl, but he was outdone by clearly the best Austrian team of that time – Austria (Vienna) had their finest season if not ever, than at least in the 1970s. A peak year, when everything clicked right. Supreme in the domestic league and excellent in Europe – the first Austrian team to reach the final in European club tournament. Austria lost the final, but was absolutely superior at home.

Austria at its best: from left: Baumeister, Gasselich, Obermayer, Daxbacher, Drazan, Prohaska, Jozef Sara, Pirkner, Morales, Baumgartner, Robert Sara.

A carefully made in the last few years squad, climbing up season after season, reaching its peak. Swarovski Wacker had Pezzey and Rapid – Krankl, but Austria had Prohaska, the fine, elegant, imaginative midfielder. He, in turn, had better teammates than Pezzey and Krankl. Austria lost only 3 matches this season. They 23. They scored the most goals – 77. And naturally received the least – 34 in 36 championship games. Less than goal per match. Austria had no match, nobody came even close. Absolutely superior.

The Cup tournament confirmed in a way the status quo of the season: Lokomotiv and Torpedo reached the ½ finals, opposing Shakhter and Dinamo (Kiev). Moscow against Ukraine. Both Moscow clubs were often better in cup tournaments than in the regular championship. They fought as much as they could, but were no match to the stronger Ukrainian clubs – Lokomotiv lost both legs with Shakhter, 0:2 and 0:1. So Torpedo – twice 1:2 against Dinamo. All Ukrainian final, opposing the first and the second ranking clubs in Ukraine, and the second against the third in the championship. The final opposed teams with different approaches – speedy, attacking Dinamo to waiting for occasional counter-attack Shakhter. Dinamo dominated from the very start and for many observers performed at the almost forgotten by now powerful style of 1975. Shakhter was quickly pushed back in their own half and appeared confused. Logically, it should have been an easy victory for Dinamo, but they missed opportunities, Shakther regrouped into populous defensive wall in their own half, which reduced the physical superiority of Dinamo – they had to run a lot, but Shakhter much less. Dinamo dominated, but was unable to score. Then Shakther organized a rare counter-attack, ending with long high ball in front of Dinamo’s net, where Vitaly Starukhin was like fish in water – arguably the best Soviet centre-forward in the air, his header ended in the net.

Vitaly Starukhin celebrates his goal in the 15th minute. Baltacha (number 3) was blamed for the goal – it was considered he made a tiny mistake, permitting Starukhin to get the ball first. Contrary to what was going on the pitch, Shakhter was leading. They had one chance and used it. The match continued as it started – Dinamo increased the speed, attacked constantly, but the result was against them. Shakhter just cleared the ball away and, perhaps too early, started to kill time. Dinamo finally equalized in the 55th minute – Blokhin scored with a header, something rare for him.

Blokhin equalizes.

Justice was restored… matches like this one are always frustrating: one team plays, the other does not, and it is right these attacking to win. And it is very annoying when they do not… Shakhter had too chances during this match – the first they scored. The second arrived in the 72nd minute, when again Starukhin was in perfect position to score, after Reshko and Baltacha clashed with each other and both fell on the ground. Starukhin, may be taken by surprise, missed the net… and almost everybody watching enjoyed the failure: it would not have been right Shakhter to win. The match ended 1-1. The extra time was the same – Dinamo dominated, Shakther desperately defended. But right after the start of overtime Shakhter was caught off guard: their goalkeeper Degterev was slow to react to Blokhin’s shot and the ball ended in the net. Nothing changed to the end and Dinamo won the cup. Justice prevailed. Dinamo was praised to the sky – may be the journalists were carried away too far: Dinamo deserved to win, were certainly better, but their dominance was quite empty. They created opportunities , but failed to score. Goalkeepeing mistake gave them the victory. Shakhter practically crossed the midfield line only twice – and scored once. If Starukhin did not make mistake in their second chance, the result would have been 2-1 for them. Dinamo played well, but scoring was a big problem – and this problem was not seen at all by observers concerned only with justice.

Perhaps a fine moment of unity – Blokhin with the Cup. He scored both goals for Dinamo, the hero of the final. Except for players and fans of Shakhter, everybody was happy to see this picture: Dinamo clearly deserved to win. Forget about the game dragging into overtime and Shakhter almost winning with two shots towards Dinamo’s net. As for statistics, it was Dinamo’s 5th Cup.

The winners, hailed as coming back to the great football they played in 1975: standing from left: Victor Yurkovsky, Valery Zuev, Stefan Reshko, V. Malyuta – team doctor, V. Lobanovsky – coach, Mikhail Fomenko, M. Koman – head coach, responsible for disciplinary work, Vladimir Veremeev, Victor Kolotov, Leonid Buryak, Aleksandr Berezhnoy, G. Spektor – administrator, A. Puzach – assistant coach.

First row: V. Evlantiev – masseur, Vladimir Onishchenko, Oleg Blokhin, Sergey Boltacha, Aleksandr Khapsalis, Vladimir Bessonov, Vladimir Lozinsky.

In retrospect, this was a ‘provisional team’ – clearly Lobanovsky was trying to make a new team, replacing the heroes of 1975. Some of the great old squad was still present, of course – Blokhin, Kolotov, Veremeev, Onishchenko, Reshko, Fomenko, Buryak, and the ‘eternal’ reserve Zuev. But the days of most were numbered in part because of age (Reshko, Fomenko, and suffering from injuries Veremeev, and Konkov, almost gone already), and partly because Lobanovsky was not exactly happy with some and wanted better players (Onishchenko, Zuev, Kolotov). The new talent, obviously the kind of players Lobanovsky was searching for, was at hand – Bessonov, Berezhnoy, Baltacha (who was called Boltacha at that time), Khapsalis. The group of promissing youngsters was actually larger and included the goalkeeper Yury Sivukha, Aleksander Boyko, Lozinsky, and to a point the regular goalkeeper Yurkovsky. But the youngsters were not only too young and inexperienced – they were also suspect and most of them did not satisfy Lobanovsky. Actually, they failed to develop into stars – practically only Bessonov, Berezhnoy, and Baltacha fulfilled the great promise. Some were already suspect and Lobanovsky was still trying to find really reliable players for some posts, particularly a goalkeeper and right full-back. Yurkovsky did not last, nor his back-up Sivukha, not Lozinsky. Zuev was to go, Boyko was to be given a few more chances, but he never became a starter and disappeared without a trace. Khapsalis was almost a constant disappointment for Lobanvosky – not because he played badly, or was lazy, or anything – only because Lobanovsky needed something else, something Khapsalis did not have. In a way, Khapsalis’ talent was wasted, for he was kept in Kiev for years, but played little and was constantly under criticism. It was not the dream-team Lobanovsky envisioned. Most of the ‘failures’ would have been perfect in other teams, but were constantly found wanting in Dinamo. Some were not so good anyway. The next great Dinamo was not here yet – and was not to be made in the next 3 or 4 years. Yet, it was the strongest squad in USSR.

First division, supposedly the best of Soviet football. The league was to be of 18 teams next season and only one team, the very last, was to be relegated. Easier life for many clubs… the new rule of only 8 ties providing points was bothersome, for it went against old, deep habits to play for 0-0, but perhaps a remedy was found just as quickly: if before clubs shared points, quietly tying matches and scoring early goals when there were points for scoreless ties, now it was just a bit of a gamble, but not much: what was needed was only an agreement for exchanged home victories – you get 2 points at home, then I got my 2 points when you are visiting. How big corruption was in Soviet football nobody can tell, but the new rule suddenly changed the picture: for the first time since the late 1960s ties were few. Also few were the clubs slow to adapt to the new reality: five clubs lost points because of extra ties. Torpedo (Moscow) suffered most – they tied 11 matches and lost 3 points. Goal scoring did not improve, though, casting doubt on the effectiveness of the new rule – the idea was to open up the stale Soviet football, to make it modern, and that meant more than reduction of ties: attacking football, aimed at victory, demanding goals. At least in Europe. In USSR change of rules was needed to force clubs to even think of winning. The change worked, perhaps not to the greatest expectations, but worked. What did not work was a league of too many unambitious clubs – and this fact makes the decision of enlargement of the league very strange. What was hoped was unclear – bigger league meant safety for various clubs concerned only with one thing: to be in the league. At least two benefited immediately – since only one club was relegated this season, by hook and crook 4 weak clubs survived. They came dangerously close to the 16th place, but at the end took a deep breath of relief: Kairat (Alma-Ata), 12th with 25 points, Neftchi (Baku), 13th with 23 points, Ararat (Erevan), 14th with 22 points and Lokomotiv (Moscow), 15th with 21 points too. Lokomotiv was unlucky to tie a 9th match and lost a point as well – under standard rules they would have been a place above Ararat, with 23 points. But all those survived – Dnepr (Dnepropetrovsk) got the short stick. They earned only 21 points and finished 16th – last and relegated. Not a team to be missed… The rest of the league was positioned pretty much as ever – the Moscow clubs in the upper half of the table; smaller provincials in the lower half, Chernomoretz (Odessa) and Zenit (Leningrad) right in the middle, but most teams were fairly equal in strength, weakness, and lack of ambition, so no big gaps between their points appeared. Zarya (Voroshilovgrad) and Ararat (Erevan) were steadily going down since each club won the title in the first half of the decade and the decline continued. Perhaps Torpedo (Moscow) disappointed – they finished 8th and even if the rules gave points for every tie, no matter how many, they were not to climb higher than 6th place. Yet, Torpedo was well rounded and balanced squad, playing nice football, one of the best squads in the league – or so it looked like.

Crouching from left: Petrov – masseur, Khrabrostin, Filatov, Sakharov, P. Yakovlev, Vanyushkin, Khudiev.

Second row: Zarapin, Mironov, N. Vassiliev, Prigoda, Buturlakin, Nikonov, Suchilin, Zhupikov, Ivanov – coach.

Why this team was not a title contender, but mid-table finisher is a bit mysterious. It may have been because of the difficult character of the former great Soviet star Valentin Ivanov, who was demanding, but not so good coach. Tense relations between coach and team are often decisive factor, but there was perhaps more important reason: Torpedo never had the means of the other Moscow clubs and was not able to recruit or keep the best players. This squad was was typical – good players, but not extraordinary ones. Well balanced team, but without a big star capable of leading and inspiring his teammates. Individually, every player was perhaps ranking third or forth in the country at his position. They were respected, some even were included in the national team, but it was a team of second-raters and such teams may be solid and occasionally win, as Torpedo did in the fall championship of 1976, but usually they stay exactly in mid-table. A bit sad, a bit annoying – Torpedo started the year well, winning the winter indoor tournament in Moscow, thus rising hopes. On grass they did not do much.

Much better performed Spartak (Moscow). They finished 5th, which was hardly a success, considering the history of the club. Yet, it was, for they just came back from Second Division, the team was radically remade, and this was the first season of the new Spartak in top flight. They did well and were met with approval – the new Spartak had fresh approach, played attractive football, and the players were noticed.

Dinamo (Moscow) was 4th – they lost the bronze medals because of the new rule, having 10 ties. Not very impressive, Dinamo stayed on top largely because most of the other clubs were weak. Above them were Shakhter (Donetzk), a representative of the fresh air in Soviet football. Shakhter was similar to Torpedo – always in the shadow of Dinamo (Kiev), they had limited choice of recruiting top players. But good selection built bit by bit a descent team. Not top players, but unlike Torpedo, the Ukrainians had few strong personalities, particularly the centre-forward Vitaly Starukhin, providing leadeship and inspiration. Perhaps they were not able to reach for the title, but came close, were dangerous team, and whoever underestimated them paid a bitter price.

So, at the end two clubs competed for the title. The final table is misleading – the champions finished 4 points ahead of the silver medalists, who were just a point better than the third placed Shakhter. If all points counted Dinamo (Moscow) would be third, just a point behind the second. It looked like very tied race, judging by the final points, but in reality it was a race between two clubs – Dinamo (Kiev) and Dinamo (Tbilisi). It was also very unusual race – Dinamo (Kiev) started sluggishly and were in midtable for quite a long time, but eventually shifted into another gear, steadily climbed up , and if the championship was longer very likely they were to win it. As it was, they paid the price of their sluggish first third of the season. Of course, Lobanovsky – indirectly – argued that his training plan was fine and if the schedule was not against them, Dinamo had to win. Stupid Federation scheduled the season wrongly, starting it when Lobanovsky’s team was not yet in top form, and finishing it right when Dinamo was at its peak. It was perfect excuse, for his plan aimed at reaching top form one or two months after the start of the season – no matter what schedule the Federation made, it would be wrong by such reasoning. And just in case this excuse failed, Lobanovsky had another, unbeatable trump in his sleeve: irresponsible players not following his instructions. Can’t argue with that… argue, not argue, Dinamo was trailing the whole season and finished second.

Their namesakes from Tbilisi argued nothing – they took the lead early and stayed on top to the end of the season, losing first place once or twice, but never slipping lower than second. The competition dropped back, losing steam quickly, and Kiev spend half the season simply recovering the ground they lost in the beginning. Dinamo Tbilisi were old darling, always a pleasant and attractive exception of the stiff and dull Soviet football. Highly skilful, artistic, entertaining, attacking team for years, always considered a high scoring team, which did not correspond to their actual records, but the belief was powerful. So, it was very nice to see them on top. Dinamo were constantly strong, but so far won the title only once, in the distant 1964. Their second was much deserved and enjoyed.

The champions, almost close to their perfect line-up: standing from left: Vitaly Darasselia, David Gogia, Aleksander Chivadze, Vakhtang Koridze, Revaz Chelebadze, Manuchar Machaidze-captain, David Kipiani.

First row: Vladimir Gutzaev, Gocha Machaidze, Tengiz Sulakvelidze, Ramaz Shengelia, Tamaz Kostava.

A nice blend of experience and young talent, coming close to its peak. Perhaps the central defender Shota Hinchagashvili (missing on the photo) was the most important player this year. The former left full-back was successfully moved to the middle of defense and there he flourished – tall, elegant, very dependable centre-back with excellent vision, he commandeered not only the defensive line, but also organized attacks. He was paired with Piruz Kanteladze (also not on the photo), a mighty duo in the center of defense. The full-backs were another story – the initial regulars suffered from heavy injuries: Nodar Hizanishvili, followed by Ilya Ruhadze. David Mudziri lost his form and also had to be replaced. Thus, Gocha Machaidze was moved back from midfield, and the little known reserve Tamaz Kostava took the right side position. The improvisation worked excellently. The experienced 30-years old David Gogia was stable between the goalposts – Dinamo was fine in the back, but its strength was midfield and the strikers. Koridze and Daraselia were the main power, particularly Daraselia, and the captain Manuchar Machaidze. Depending on occasion, Chivadze played as defensive midfielder or Kipiani moved a bit back. Ahead were Gutzaev on the right wing and Shengelia on the left, with Kipiani in the centre – not a typical centre-forward, but rather coming from deeper back, and combining excellent scoring skills with playmaking. Unpredictable, constant danger for opposite defenses, operating on wide field, a magician with the ball, and great passer, Kipiani was if not the best Soviet player, at least the most attractive and creative one. But he was left behind by constantly improving Shengelia this year, who was voted player of the year. Shengelia was not the only new big star – Chivadze and Sulakvelidze were rapidly improving, Gabelia was competing with Gogia. Revaz Chelebadze and Vakhtang Kopaleyshvili were also pushing for a place in the starting eleven. Most were young players – a big hope for the future, and best of all – not an empty promise. Chivadze, Sulakvelidze, Kipiani, Shengelia became regular national team players for many years. Hinchagashvili, Gabelia, Chelebadze, Gutzaev, and others also played for USSR.

The coach Nodar Akhalkatzi was the maker of this team – as a native Georgian, he was best for a Georgian team: he understood his countrymen, he shared their free-wheeling, creative,and joyous approach to the game. He did not stifle them with geometric tactical schemes, but let them improvise and play as they felt. And this was the weakness of the team… the players loved to keep the ball and were often carried away by flashy dribbling. Opportunities were often sacrificed in the name of artistry. Gutzaev was the main offender – may be the reason he never became a true big star, and rarely was included in the national team of USSR. As most technical teams, Dinamo were not tough physical fighters and had difficulty responding to close physical play. They were also moody and if the things were not going their way, often broke down. As a whole, Dinamo was a bit naïve squad, lacking tactical variety – what they played, no matter against whom, was essentially the same attacking technical football. Akhalkatzi was seen as the prime reason for that – may be rightly, may be not, but he was considered rather plain coach, unable or unwilling of introduction of tactical variety. Disciplined and physical European teams usually managed to block Dinamo, often helped by the individualistic tendencies of Gutzaev. Dinamo Kiev too. More or less, it was enough to cover closely the Georgian players, to leave them without free space. But not many teams, especially in USSR, were able to do that – Dinamo was not overwhelming leader this season, yet, consistent, prevailing, collecting points, and in great form. Worthy champions and great news for the future, for they were generally young and very talented. 17 wins and 8 ties gave them the title. Dinamo lost only 5 matches and no matter how strong Kiev were in the fall, still Tbilisi finished with 4 points more than the enemy.

Second Division played standard champion – no innoventions and experiments here, which was odd, since the leagues above and below played under different rules. The championship brought little enthusiasm and lots of critical observations. It was the season when least away games were won in the history of the league: only 54. Ties were not predominant results, yet, attacking football was not the aim either – most teams depended on home victories, played carefully and without hazard. ‘Fear of mistakes’, was noticed – the players preferred quickly to pass the ball to somebody else, just to avoid risks. The games were dull, ambition was entirely lacking. Another historic ‘first’ happened – 11 points divided the 4th and 5th placed clubs at the end. So big divide was seen only as massive interest in safe, uneventful existence in second division. Most clubs were accused for a long time of that. Same with individual players – the number of noticeable ones was tiny. Most just kicked the ball around year after year. Zhalgiris (Kaunas) distinguished themselves with seasonal record of 19 ties – that is, exactly 50% of their total championship matches. This kind of football paid off… Zhalgiris finished 7th. Far away of relegation fears and in the upper half of the final table – good season! Most clubs were just like that: here is Kuban (Krasnodar), 6th in the final table – a place above Zhalgiris thanks to more wins, but behind Terek (Grozny) because Terek had better head-to-head record (the three clubs finished with 41 points each, 11 less than the 4th placed Karpaty).

Third row, from left: V. N. Sereda – team director, V. Vassiliev, A. Bagapov, V. Shitikov, A. Semenyukov, V. Zhivotikov, V. Lavolin, M. Mironov, A. Artemenko, V. A. Grokhovsky – coach.

Middle row: ?, K. Rzhepishevky, S. Andreychenko, V. G. Korolkov – head coach, V. Batarin, A. Chugunov, A. Rybak.

First row: V. Kazakov, A. Ploshnik, Yu. Chebotarev, V. Fursa, V. Koretzky, Yu. Ter-Oganessyantz, E. Polovinko, Yu. Semin, V. Korovkin.

Of course, not big names here, but few players used to play in top division. Chugunov, Rybak, and the future top Russian coach Yury Semin exemplified the typical case: good players, perhaps capable of much more than playing second tier football, but lacking any desire to do so. Quite satisfied to be big fish in a small pond and not to be troubled with anything else.

Down the table things only became more pathetic. Feeling safe, Kusbass practically lost interest and got 0 points in their last 6 championship games. They finished 16th, sharing points with Uralmash. Why bother, since nobody was to be relegated this year? The last three were known in advance – the suddenly plummeting Spartak (Ordzhonikidze – today Spartak Vladikavkaz) was 18th, Dinamo (Leningrad), once upon a time strong first division club, but already ailing for years, 19th, and the miserable Kolkhozchy (Ashkhabad) dead last. No surprise at all – Dinamo played with relegation for years, and finally doomsday arrived. Kolkhozchy meandered between second and third division constantly and when in second was practically subscribed for the last place. Now they were in heaven… last, but staying in the league. A luxury, serving no purpose at all.

At the end only four clubs were interested in something different than sedentary life, but even they were nothing special. Freshly relegated from first division Karpaty (Lvov) ended 4th. It was the only team introducing young talent – S. Yurchishin, A. Bal, G. Batich, and Ya. Dumansky, but it was not enough. Sergey Yurchishin was considered almost the most promising young player at the time, but instead he became one of the biggest failures of Soviet football. Andrey Bal went in the opposite direction, becoming one of the great players in the 1980’s Dinamo Kiev and USSR. Presently, the quartet was too young, inconsistent, and inexperienced and Karpaty was unable to earn promotion. In fact, it was not the team as such, but just these four players impressing observers and they were only future promise.

Dinamo (Minsk) finished 3rd. Inconsistency plagued them – the team wasted too much time going up and down the league and when finally decided to attack the top, they just lucky there was no competition. Dinamo Minsk changed the coach and the climb was due to the new one – Eduard Malofeev, at the beginning of his career. Under him, Dinamo improved, but too late for anything better than third place. Going up only because the Federation decided on three promotions this year. Lucky Dinamo.

Second ended SKA Rostov, usually a top flight club. More or less, expected candidate for promotion. Not an interesting team – perhaps only more ambitious than the usual league members. If they had anything, this was young and exciting forward and prolific scorer – Sergey Andreev. He was just becoming known, but soon he was to play for the national team. As for this year, he was the top second division scorer with 20 goals.

SKA Rostov – happily returning to first division. Not very promising in 1978, but eventually they improved later.

Krylya Sovetov (Kyubishev) were the champions. Not overwhelming ones, finishing with 56 points. Two more than SKA, earned from 21 wins and 14 ties. As true champions, they did not lose many games – only 3. Perhaps defense was their strongest line. Like SKA Rostov, they failed to impress. Commentators were skeptical – both winners historically played badly the next year, Particularly Krylya Sovetov, which were typical ‘unsettled’ club – too strong for second level, too weak for top flight.

Proud champions! Sitting from left: Yu. Kutuzov – team doctor, V. Kirsh – coach, G. Fridlyand – team director, V. Solovyov – assistant coach, S. Yarkin – masseur.

Middle row: A. Rotenko, A. Blokhin, Yu. Pilipko, N. Shtukin, A. Bytkin, G. Lisenchuk, V. Mazalov, V. Abramov, V. Losev.

Third row: V. Panfilov, A. Kupriyanov, A. Arutyunyan, R. Sibgatullin, Yu. Elisseev, V. Kuznetzov, A. Fetissov, A. Galiulov.

Mostly fading players, who already failed to survive in First Division. Perhaps the top name was Yury Elisseev – in 1972 he won the Soviet title with Zarya (Voroshilovgrad) and was included in the national team for a short time. By now, getting old and not at all great… able to score goals in second division, but as far as first was considered… Krylya Sovetov actually appeared weaker then Dinamo and SKA Rostov. Winners of the league, promoted, but most likely only to come back after a year or two.

None of the promoted was seen as up and coming team. None was seen as any meaningful addition, improving the top league. All three were found short of talent. They were just slightly better and livelier than the bulk of dour and dull second league clubs.

USSR next, almost by default. 1978 was miserable year – the national team once again failed to qualify for the World Cup finals, the clubs participating in the European club tournaments were eliminated early and ingloriously – this applies largely for the 1977-78 cups, for the one-year season USSR had by necessity included the next year European cups in the evaluation of their own season. Domestic football was not all that lively and was criticized on every level. Special wrath was reserved for Lobanovsky and his whining: he was once again immuned from sense of guilt. Dinamo Kiev was eliminated by Malmo FF (Sweden), an easy opponent in theory, after the ‘guru of attacking football’ fielded 6 defenders! Nothing wrong with his tactics, said Lobanovsky – what was wrong was a long list of guilty parties in the Federation. Wrong calendar, reluctant to permit his team to train abroad in the spring administrators, bad climate, too many domestic games, the list was wrong – and Lobanovsky wright, but getting no understanding and help. Observers did not agree with him at all and accused him of nepotism. Third division clubs were accused of scheming and ignoring the rules – Soviet Federation never stopped changing the rules in the 1970s and now third league had an age limit: their squads had to be mainly made of young products of their youth systems and only a few players over 25 years were allowed in the squads. The clubs bitterly opposed that – on one hand, if going up to second division they had to start entirely new team, for the youths would be too weak among older players; on the other , those were smaller provincial clubs and hardly had enough talent at hand for competitive football. The clubs schemed, asked for ‘incidental’ permissions to use more players of older age – critics found the practices corrupt, irresponsible, and sabotaging the rules. Second division was found not only of low quality, but almost entirely disinterested in more than just playing there, a chronic problem, which in tern affected negatively first division football – few talents were to be found in the lower league. First division was not great either, scoring low as ever, most clubs hardly improving, concerned only with keeping their place among the top 16 clubs. Most of all that was not new at all, but there were positive changes too, almost for the first time since 1970.

The new rule, limiting draws seemingly worked – for the first time ties were not the dominant result. The new rule gave points only for 8 ties – above that nothing. The clubs quickly found a way to avoid the rule, but still the number of ties diminished: only 5 clubs ended with more than 8 ties and measly 3 clubs finished with 10 or more. One club fell victim of the rule and was relegated, but as a whole the limit of ties benefited more attacking football and the old mentality of securing a point cracked a bit. A bunch of young talents appeared, largely in Dinamo (Kiev), and they were different, modern players. Lastly, the country ended with new champion and it was the most attractive team – another crack at the dominant dullness. The positive changes were present, not overwhelmingly, but present nevertheless and they promised better future. The wind was turning.

The mammoth third division contributed in its own, however small, way to the positive changes. 135 clubs divided in 6 Zones, the smallest of 21 teams and the Zones with 24 each. By far, these were the championships with most matches per season, but so far they hardly helped the development of Soviet football – the three promoted clubs most often came back to third level in short time. And nothing really promising in this year winners – Fakel (Voronezh), Metalist (Kharkov), Spartak (Nalchik), Zvezda (Perm), Alga (Frunze), and Traktor (Pavlodar). All played a bit – and unsuccessfully – in the second division before. Looked like familiar fodder, only in bigger quantity, for the second division was enlarged to 24 clubs for 1979 and all 6 were promoted. But it was not so – Fakel and Metalist were at the beginning of their ascent. Both clubs soon reached First Division. Metalist not only was to stay firmly in top flight, but was to become one the best Soviet clubs in the 1980s. Did not look like that in 1978, but it was fine news for many that one old clubs was climbing up a bit.

Metalist (Kharkov), champions of Ukraine and Third Division – Zone II. First row, from left: Vladimir Zhuravchak, Nodar Bachiashvili, Victor Shalenko, Leonid Tkachenko, Stanislav Bernikov, Genady Likhachev, Valentin Kryachko, Nikolay Aleshin, Vladimir Linke.

Standing: Robert Mkrtchan – team director, Roman Shpodarunok – administrator, Vladimir Bulgakov – assistant coach, Mikhail Tzybrivsky, Sergey Malko, Sergey Sapeshko, Rostislav Potochnyak, Aleksandr Nikishin, Vyacheslav Dvurechensky, Genady Degtyarev, Evgeny Lemeshko – coach, Aleksandr Kossolapov, Mark Pisarenko – team doctor.

Metalist won perhaps the toughest Third Division Zone, where most of the club were Ukrainian easily – the second best, Kolos (Nikopol), lagged 8 points behind. The winners won 29 matches, tied 12, and lost 3. Scoring was not their strongest side – 66 goals in 44 matches – but their defense was excellent – they received only 20 goals. Of course, third division teams never attract much interest, but the seeds of the future were planted: the coach Lemeshko and Sergey Malko were to become very well known in a few years time. In 1978 their aim was still going to Second Division – and they succeeded.

The Cup of France was also surprising – none of the bigger clubs reached the final. It was contested between Nancy and Nice. Mid-table clubs really, complimenting the unusual championship to a point. And it was really the year of the small guys – Nancy won the Cup, clinching 1-0 victory. Michel Platini scored the golden goal and his club triumphed.

OGC Nice was the favourite on paper – as far as finals can be argued in advance, Nice was stronger.

Giullou, Huck, J. Jouve, Toko, the two Yugoslavian stars Katalinski and Bjekovic, and Baratelli still the first choice of France between the goalposts – admirable names, to which Nancy had a single response, Platini. History also favoured Nice – 4 times French champions and twice Cup winners. On the negative side, Nice was gradually fading club. The great years were in already distant past – all trophies were won in the 1950s. In the next decade Nice went into violent convulsions and was relegated twice. Came back in 1970 and since then stayed in first division, but slowly declining: the club had much better team in the early 1970s, almost with champion’s potential. By 1977-78 there were few left and they were aging. In a way, Nice was fascinating club: it was quite clear that they were not great and had no money for grand ambitions. But they maintained a number of top players, including foreigners of high status. May be status was the real aim at Cote d’Azur, not playing – the names not always justified themselves with performance. May be beach life was more tempting, but it looked like that Nice was the end for foreign stars. Nice was coming near victory at best – and the cup final was no exception: they reached it, had better chance, and lost the Cup. Not by much, but lost it. The steady decline continued just like that – not very obvious, not by much, but going on.

Nancy was different story. First of all, it was new club.

Association Sportive Nancy-Lorraine, as the full name hardly ever used is, was formed in 1967. Back than FC Nancy collapsed and the new club had to replace the expired. There was nothing ambitious in the new creation – a modest club, which had no money for big plans. Second Division was most likely place for Nancy and there they stayed quite often. Naturally, an young club would not have time to collect trophies, but modest club was not expected to triumph anyway. And they had nothing until 1974-75, when Nancy won the Second Division – their first trophy, not ranking very high by any standard. Their first real trophy came in the spring of 1978 – and it remains the only one today. Very likely nothing will change in the future, so 1978 stays as the most outstanding year in the club’s history. Hats down to the small club!

 

The boys did not look like winners – Rouyer was a national team player, yet, not a regular; may be Curbelo was above average; the ‘obligatory’ African player, without which no French team seemed like French team, Pokou. The centre-forward Laurent Pokou N’Dri, from Cote d’Ivoir, joined Nancy in the summer of 1977, but was no newcomer to French football – he played for Rennes before. Like most Nancy’s players, hardly a star… Nancy had very little to oppose to Nice or any other club. But this little was very special: Michel Platini, already hailed as a great European star. With him Nancy won the second division, with him the club performed well and actually climbed the ladder of first division to respectful 6th place in this very season. With him Nancy reached the Cup final. And he put the finishing touch as well, scoring the winning goal at the final. Platini was Nancy – it was already very rare in the 1970s a single player to win matches and elevate his club, but it happened with Nancy. It was painfully clear that Platini deserved better teammates, stronger club, and Nancy was not able to surround him with worthy teammates, and therefore, would not be able to keep him, but so far his presence was more than sufficient. A winning presence. It was great for the club and may be more for Platini – it was his first trophy too.

Four clubs competed for the title this season. Least serious was Olympique Marseille. The club had policy different than any other in France: not exactly building a strong squad, but buying every year stars. High rotation more or less kept Marseille among the favourites, but did not make them real contender or memorable. Four new players arrived before the start of the season – the French national team striker Marc Berdoll from 1. FC Saarbrucken (West Germany), the midfielder Anders Linderoth from Sweden, another forward, Michel N’Gom, with dual citizenship – French and Senegalese, and rather anonymous Spanish midfielder Christian Fernandez. Not very impressive bunch, but still consistent with Marseille’s habits. With Tresor, Bracci, Emon, Beretta, and Zvunka, they had, at least on paper, enough class. On the field it was a bit different – most of the names were already just names: aging, declining, no longer a big threat. Marseille was good enough to stay among the best clubs, but at the lower end. 47 points, 70 goals scored, 41 received, 20 wins… stable 4th – 3 points above Bastia, 3 points bellow bronze medals.

‘Challenger’ which was not. Crouching from left: Boubacar, Linderoth, Berdoll, Bacgonnier, Emon.

Standing: Tresor, V. Zvunka, Bracci, Baulier, Migeon, Fernandez.

The other three clubs were entangled in the real battle for the title. Three point separated champions from bronze medalists. Racing Strasbourg finished 3rd with 50 points. The year before Strasbourg was in Second Division – a big surprise to see them competing for the title and great success for the club.

Quietly, Strasbourg assembled good team – Dropsy and Specht were national team material, Novi, Gemmrich, Piasecki, and Dugueperoux were respected solid players, the Austrian Heinz Schilcher provided the ‘magic touch’ every former Ajax player brought to their new club. Raymond Domenech was added for the season. The future great coach Ivica Osim came back to Starsbourg for his last season as a player. The Yugoslavian was already 36 years old and not a starter anymore, but very likely he contributed with brain – Strasbourg had young coach, also 36, who just arrived from Xamax (Switzerland). An enigmatic name – Gilbert Gress. Once upon a time he refused to cut his hair and was left out of the going to World Cup finals French national team. The year was 1966 and Gress was the star of Strasbourg. But he played his best years in West Germany, for Stuttgart, and hardly ever was called to play for France. He ended his career in Switzerland, doubling as player-coach of Xamax. He came back to his original club in 1977 – effectively, his first year as a coach. Young, ambitious, with fresh ideas, without the burden of old habits, and very likely helped by Osim in tactical scheming. Strasbourg soared at once, achieving a rare success for newcomer to the league.

Familiar name got the silver medals – Nantes. Stable and strong during the decade, perhaps the best one for the club, Nantes was constant contender. No exception this season – they lost the title by a point. Disappointment perhaps, but not a big one – they were strong, may be a bit unlucky, but consistent and there was no trouble coming. Nantes was the only club in the league with really strong defense – they permitted 26 goals in their net, the single club achieving less than a goal per game average. Scoring was not their forte, though… typical for defensive minded teams and perhaps the reason they lost the title in the attacking French league. Nantes scored 60 goals – not bad, not exactly ‘catenaccio’, yet, the champions cored 19 goals more and 7 other clubs scored more goals than Nantes. Paris SG, ending at 11th place, scored 75. Tied defense perhaps was wrong, surely not enough, but Nantes was not to be dismissed – they were to try again the next season for sure.

 

The secret of Nantes was its transfer policy – they did not wait until their starters retired as Lyon; did not bet on few new stars every season to keep them afloat like Marseille; did not carefully changing a single player as Saint Etienne. Nantes acted boldly, not afraid to reshape the squad, discard still strong stars and include promising youngsters. Yes, Henry Michel, Hugo Bargas, Bertrand-Demasne were still the skeleton of the team as they were five years ago, but meantime time others established themselves so smoothly, nobody even noticed when – Bossis, Amisse, Rio. Rampillon, Baronchelli, Osman, Pecout were strong and very likely the next to go, replaced by the likes of Van Straelen and Sahnoun. Transition was so smooth it did not look like transition at all – the squad above was technically from 1976-77. Almost the same team played in 1977-78 – minus Triantafilos. Robert Gadocha is missing on the picture, rather symbolically – like Triantafilos, the Polish star was getting old and 1977-78 was his last season with the club. Nantes was not obsessed with the past at all – Gadocha was more or less relegated to second fiddle and young intriguing player was inserted in the starting eleven: Oscar Muller. Twenty years old midfielder, born in Argentina, but in Nantes since 1974. The youth system of the club, that is. Muller was – and is – listed as Argentine, but he also acquired French citizenship and played for the youth national teams of France. The future was secured – Gadocha was almost out, Michel and Bargas had numbered days, but no problem – there were Bossis, Rio, Amisse, Muller, a new skeleton already existed.

The title was won by a single point by both likely and unlikely club – AS Monaco. Chameleon club, Monaco – it was impossible to say how they will perform. Hardly favourites, yet, they were already twice champions. But Monaco was also capable of sudden failures – only two years ago they were in the second division. Back then Monaco had a team somewhat too strong for second level. Now they had a team not exactly expected to win a title. There was no telling how Monaco would perform. Somehow they fancied to be strong in 1977-78, still surprising performance by essentially the same players who played second league football almost yesterday.

An unusual club – representing France and another country in the same time. Of course, Monaco is just a city-state and there was no way for so small place to have a league. Monaco still had no national team and does not participate in tournaments for countries. It has only the club AS Monaco and when strong, represents France. Amusing in a way and belonging to this small category of clubs playing in the championships of counties different from their own. Given the financial reputation of the principality, AS Monaco should have been rich club, employing stars and constantly strong as a result – alas, it was not the case and hard to tell why. There was inconsistency – sometimes the club was better financed and soared, sometimes it was neglected and immediately went down. Formula 1 racing was clearly more important than football in the golden city. Things were fine this year, however – Monaco suddenly played well, especially at away games. They scored a lot, ending with the best seasonal record of 79 goals. Defense did not interest them – 46 times the ball ended in their net – but the attacking style was very sufficient when visiting. May be Monaco was underestimated by the other clubs, but if so, they paid heavy price – Monaco collected point after point and without been dominant, grabbed the title. Their third. Back in the 1970s three titles was quite a lot, especially in France, never monopolized by two or three clubs.

The heroes of 1977-78 were mostly home heroes – not a bad squad, yet, hardly a special one, and clearly not ‘dynastic’. They deserve another picture largely because it was not team able to stay on top.

Strange champions… the big star was of course Delio Onnis, the great Argentine goalscorer, who never disappointed. Another striker was solid national team choice, who went to play at the 1978 World Cup – Dalger. The captain Petit was also included in the French national team now and then. The young goalkeeper Ettori was rising, soon to become the preferred goalie of France. So far, he was making enough impact – he edged the experienced Chauveau from the starting eleven. Two more foreigners may be provided class, but were not great names – both were mild curiosities, though. Heriberto Correa, experienced 28-years old defender with dual citizenship – Argentina and Paraguay. Hardly known, not interesting for the Argentinian national team coach, but good enough for Monaco. At least this season, for Correa did not last all that long with the club. The other was also with dual citizenship – Raul Nogues, 25-years old forward, completing the free scoring striking line. Because of his name, normally he is thought French – in passing, for Nogues was not exactly famous, especially outside France. He is always listed as Argentine in statistics. Nogues came to France in 1972 and stayed. An Argentine, but not quite – a closer look at squad info (and only there) reveals that he played for youth national teams of France. So he was naturalized, which explains why Monaco featured three foreigners in their first eleven when rules permitted only two. Anyway, the strong players of the champions finish with him – the rest was rather run of the mill. Some better, some worse, some somewhat promissing, some suspect. Monaco was disjointed team of two very different groups not really complimenting each other. It was not a squad able to stay on top, unless getting about five stronger players. Yet, it was not a typical ‘one time wonder’ either – they were entirely unpredictable. Onnis alone was capable of destroying any team. Weak defense made not only winning suspect, but staying in first division. Impossible to tell what this team could do. May be a bit lucky champions, but champions.

Above those threatened with relegation was the vast comfort zone of the mid-table clubs. Comfort for some, distress for others. Some were rising, others went the opposite direction. Paris SG so far was unable to materialize its ambitious project – the club spent money, bought players year and year out, but so far they were no more than mid-table club. This year they finished 11th , not a surprise. Bordeaux and Lyon, endangered by relegation and only dreaming of the ‘comfort zone’, presented opposite cases: Bordeaux finished low, but they already started their new team.

On the surface, it was a rag-tag team, combining rising players like Giresse and Bergeroo, dependable foreigners like the German Gernot Rohr and the Swisse star Jeandupeux, and various ‘hit and miss’ players of little note. The club was still searching and trying to find the right formula – they added the well respected Cameroonian Jean-Pierre Tokoto, formerly of Paris SG, loaned for the spring half of the season Spanish striker, Alfredo Megido Sanchez, from Real Betis. No results yet, but the seeds of the great team of the early 1980s were planted.

Lyon was the opposite case – their solid team of the first half of the 1970s inevitably aged, key players were retiring one after another, but the club missed the right moment for rebuilding and was hit hard as a result. A new team was practically started in 1977 and the jump-start was rather lame.

This is the squad with which Lyon finished the 1976-77 – pretty much the same team struggled in 1977-78, memorable largely for their unusual red kit. Domenech departed for Strasbourg, the rest were at hand. Aime Jacquet was hired to coach them – 36 years old, at the beginning of his illustrious career, and, at the time, a big risk. Young, inexperienced coach is always closely scrutinized and found at fault… but, on the other hand, the choice was right: building a new team needed a coach with fresh ideas. Whatever these ideas were, the new recruits were hardly the kind of players to carry them on. The 30-years old Yugoslavian defender Rajko Aleksic was good, but neither a big star, nor in his prime. He played for Yugoslavia in the very distant 1968, during the successful European Championship campaign of his country. He played a total of 2 games and was never called again. Hardly the player able to propel Lyon to glory. The other recruit came from Strasbourg – there is confusion about him, for some sources tell he came to Lyon in 1977, others say 1978 – in order of invigorating the midfield. The name is Giora Spiegel. A 30-years old Israeli of modest abilities. It was not really a start of a new team, rather the cleaning of the stable was not finished yet.

The third club to drop significantly down was Saint Etienne. Surprisingly, they finished 7th. Not a factor in the championship, although the team still won 18 of their 38 fixtures. They lost 14,though. A crisis? It was inevitable – the great squad of Robert Herbin was old as a squad. Same players for years, hardly going to become stronger if the future, very familiar to every other club in France, may be tired. Herbin made small, well thought changes, but the team reached its peak in 1975 and it was time for radical change. The problem was classical – individually, the players were old, save for a few, they were well tuned to each other, there was no reason to touch a winning team with reserves, who had played for France. No reason, as long as they were winning… but they were not winning, the signal was clear, and it was just a matter of coach’s vision and bravery.

Not a team of losers… the very problem! The policy of carefully made small changes exemplified by Zimako – a squad like that perhaps had no room for anything radical, just a new player now and then. Almost automatically one dismisses the very thought of replacements – replace who? Only Farison was at retiring age… But… Merchadier and Repellini reached their peak a few years back and by 1977-78 were more or less reserves. Rocheteau, P. Revelli, and Santini were missing scoring opportunities for years and everybody knew it. It was high time for something larger than inclusion of one new player because somebody retired. It is debatable whether rebuilding had to begin an year or too earlier, but now the signs of decline were sharp. There was no time for waiting, hesitating, giving one more chance – it was now or never. It was painfully sad to see these players gone, but there was no other option, if the club wanted to stay on top. Lyon was scary reminder of what procrastination leads to.

Three clubs went the opposite direction – Strasbourg, Monaco, and Bastia. Ascending fast. Which one was the most surprising is difficult to distinguish. The first two no long ago played in the second division. Bastia was no stranger to second level football and when playing in first division was unimpressive squad, living dangerously near the relegation zone. But they made the biggest French transfer in the summer of 1977, getting one of the top world stars Johnny Rep from Spanish Valencia. His impact was immediately felt as if the not-so bad team was spurred.

 

Descent team even without Rep – Ognjen Petrovic, Larios, Guesdon, Orlanducci, Vezir – but with the added class of the Dutch forward, Bastia experienced perhaps their greatest ever season. They reached the final of the UEFA Cup and climbed to 5th place in France. Not a title contenders, but coming close. One of the nicest surprises of the season. The only question was about the future – were they able to keep their best players and preserve good form? Or were they to be one-time wonder.

Other intricate questions about foreign players appeared along with the vast drama of the championship . French rules were typical for the time – two foreign players may appear in a single match. But a list of foreigners playing in any given year was larger and more than two often appeared in the same game. Most of them were Africans from former French colonies, thus, considered domestic. Some were with dual citizenship, some were not. Some played for the national teams of their countries, some did not. It was not so clear why almost all of them were equalized to French players – there was always a tiny minority of Africans considered just foreign players, to whom the rules applied. Some other players – South Americans and Eastern Europeans – naturalized and once French citizens they were no longer foreign. Yet, they were listed as foreign in statistical books – and looked like some were subjected to the rule for foreign players. France was not as confusing as Spain, but still it was difficult to figure out who was French and who was import. France was traditional big importer of foreigners, so they were many, playing at almost any level of the football pyramid. Some were famous, some not at all – the variety made for strange contrasts sometime. To a point, the class of the imports decided to current fate of a club. Smaller clubs depended more on their foreigners than the bigger ones, but the imports were not the all-decisive factor.

The season had unfortunate outsider anchored at the last 20th place – Rouen. Years ago Rouen was more esteemed member of first division, but in the1970s they were almost constant outsider, more likely to be relegated than soar. And relegated they were, finishing the season with measly 18 points. No wonder – they lost 26 matches. The 19th club had 14 points more.

The more than modest squad practically explains why they finished last – some known names, like Horlaville, but no stars. The picture is a bit misleading: Rouen got two well known players in the summer of 1977 – the forward Yves Triantafilos from Nantes, and the former Yugoslavian national team defender Petar Krivokuca from Iraklis (Thesaloniki, Greece). Both were past their prime, though. Not much of a help. The other foreigner was Jorge Trezeguet, an Argentine, born 1951. It is very doubtful he was remembered in home land, unless one recalls scandals – Trezeguet, an ordinary player, moved from club to club without making enough impression, but he was involved in a doping scandal in the first half of the decade. At first he was found guilty and penalized, then he was considered innocent and the penalty was voided. But doubts lingered and since he was not a star, clubs became reluctant to hire him. He went to France. Once again he was not exactly a revelation on the pitch and perhaps most French were not even aware he was a foreigner: he was not making headline news and his name is French. He eventually naturalized, or so it appear nowadays, for is often mention as ‘French-Argentine’. May be so, may be not – he returned to Argentina eventually. But he was French enough… for his famous son David Trezeguet is French. All of that had no positive impact on Rouen… Right after the season’s end Triantafilos packed for Greece, where he made his name in the beginning of the 1970s – apparently, second division was not to his taste, but he was not his former self either and ended in modest Kalitea.

Above them seven clubs fretted to the last moment. Three ended with 31 points, three with 32, and one with 33. Half of them were usually found in similar situation at the bottom of the table – Nimes (13th), Valenciennes (14th), and Troyes, getting the short stick this time – 19th and relegated. Reims was steadily sinking in the 1970s and their 15th place was hardly a surprise – by this year, Reims was quite similar to three clubs already mentioned. Bordeaux was not in great health in the 1970s, yet, hardly the outsider they were this season – 16th, with 32 points and the worst goal-difference among the clubs with same points. The last two clubs from the unfortunate group were different – Lyon, normally strong, suddenly plummeted down. May be accidentally, may be as a result of wrong transfers, hard to tell. Lens was traditionally unpredictable – one of those French clubs playing great one year and awfully the next. Going straight from the top of the league to relegation and from second division – to almost title contenders. This season the only concern of these seven clubs was survival and it was more of survival of luckiest, not of the fittest. At the last day three four clubs breathed easy, escaping by one or two points. Three clubs ended with 31 points – only one was to survive. It was Lyon, thanks to rather good goal-difference: 56-59. For Lens and Troyes it was mere protocol, since both were relegated – Troyes had the worst goal-difference and took the 19th place.

To a point, it was surprising that Troyes had a chance of survival – their team was very similar, if not worse, than Rouen’s. Troyes fought bravely, considering the team they had, but unfortunately lost the battle.

If Troyes had no team to speak of, Lens was different.

Surely not a great squad, but no doubt a descent one. A mid-table quality, nothing fancy, but nothing pathetic either. Daniel Leclercq, Bousdira, Elie, the former Polish international Joachim Marx… and Didier Six, the exciting winger, playing for France and often seen as better option than Rocheteau. And the old Uruguyan defender Juan Martin Mujica, who was there and not there, playing about 5 matches in two years, a far cry from his good performance at 1970 World Cup. Inconsistent as ever, this year Lens just went down. Yet, the same team just as easily would have aiming at the medals… Lens were – and pretty are – an enigma. They fought for survival, came close, but it was terrible season first and foremost. From the three relegated, Lens was the only club with good players and expected to gain promotion the next year. Troyes and Rouen were most likely to stay down, unless buying a whole bunch of new better players.