Group 4.
1.NETHERLANDS 6 4 2 0 8- 2 10
Since only one team directly qualified to the finals from this group, the principle battle was for the first place between Holland and BRD. There were old scored to be settled as well, for the Dutch 1974 was never forgotten. They had the edge this time – reigning European champions, plenty of talent, including the top three European players, excellent football – as the photo shows, the team was formidable even without Gullit. Nobody won in the clash between Holland and West Germany, but still the Dutch won the group. They were on the road to concur the world – that how it looked in 1989.
2.West Germany 6 3 3 0 13- 3 9
Clearly in decline, but one cannot dare dismiss the Germans – whatever they lacked in skills, they compensated with battling character and great determination. The group was technically easy – only Holland was a problem and the Germans did not allow the better otherwise Dutch to beat them. Yet, they did not win the group and that was a problem… among the 3 second-placed teams to compete for 2 spots in the finals it was pure chance. England had the same record as West Germany. Denmark had better goal-difference. Luckily, West Germany had a point more than the Danes and clinched the finals.
3.Finland 6 1 1 4 4-16 3
No hopes for reaching the finals, of course, but considering the level of Finnish football third place was very satisfactory.
4.Wales 6 0 2 4 4- 8 2
Wales had no chance to reach finals, of course, but still they were expected to finish ahead of Finland. So, to a point the team failed… not winning even one game. But they brought the big scare to West Germany taking a point from them and thus effectively placed Holland at the top, leaving the mighty Germans to depend on luck.
Group 5.
1.YUGOSLAVIA 8 6 2 0 16- 6 14
Political troubles were already simmering in 1988, when the qualifications started for Yugoslavia, but nobody imagined disintegration and civil war even by the fall of 1989. As usual, the Yugoslavs were a team capable of reaching the finals and that was their aim – two teams qualified from their group, but it was a battle between 3 teams… quite equal teams: France was showing signs of decline, but Yugoslavia was also shaky. Scotland depended largely on fighting spirit for quite a long time, thus matching at least relatively weakened Yugoslavia and France. However, Yugoslavia stepped on the pedal and had a surprisingly good campaign given the players at hand. Comfortably on the top of the group as a result. This is the team ending 0-0 in a friendly against Brazil in 1989: standing from left: Panadić, Prosinečki, Stanojković, Spasić, Marović, Ivković; crouching: Savićević, Brnović, Stojković, Hadžibegić, Janković.
2.SCOTLAND 8 4 2 2 12-12 10
Quite frankly, Scotland had much more talented teams in the past, but whatever the Scots lacked in skills they compensated with grit and spirit. Reaching the finals was possible. At the end, it was reality – Scotland managed to finish ahead of France.
3.France 8 3 3 2 10- 7 9
Second row from left: Henri Emile (Int.), Joël Bats, Stéphane Paille, Sylvain Kastendeuch, Alain Roche, Marcel Dib, Basile Boli, Jean-Christophe Thouvenel, Franck Sauzée, Bruno Martini, Gérard Houllier (ent. adj.).
Sitting: Christian Perez, Daniel Bravo, Eric Guérit, Jean Tigana, Michel Platini (sél.), Jean-Pierre Papin, Jean-Marc Ferreri, Manuel Amoros.
In a nut shell, coach Platini did not have player Platini. Inevitable decline… the old great stars aged and stepped down and the new talent was not at the same level. Change of generations takes time. Torn between old and new, France was not a bad team, but it was not the team of early half of the decade and was beatable. Jean-Pierre Papin was the current bid name, but the absence of Eric Cantona shows the problems of the transitional time. France fought and lost. Minimally, but fatally – no finals for them.
4.Norway 8 2 2 4 10- 9 6
Like many ‘small’ countries, Norway improved a lot during the 1980s, but still was unable to really challenge traditionally ‘big’ teams. Strong campaign, but without really disturbing the status quo. This is the squad of one of the games against Yugoslavia – Norway lost both games by a goal, however, they extracted ties against France (at home) and Scotland (away).
5.Cyprus 8 0 1 7 6-20 1
Still outsiders.
Group 6.
1.SPAIN 8 6 1 1 20- 3 13
Such was the group that Spain was sure winner. They won, of course, but the fact that Ireland finished only a point behind them was a warning sign: Spain reached the finals, but was hardly a team to make great impact in Italy.
2.IRELAND 8 5 2 1 10- 2 12
Given the decline of Hungary, Ireland had a chance. And they more than used it – in fact, it was surprisingly strong campaign for a naturally limited team. This is the squad which faced Spain and beat it 1-0. Jack Charlton really made the most from his team. It was great to see Ireland going to World Cup finals. If anything, the boys were brave fighters.
3.Hungary 8 2 4 2 8-12 8
What is there to say? Hungary was already in long decline and there was simply very little talent at hand.
4.Northern Ireland 8 2 1 5 6-12 5
Sometimes spirit is not enough and that was the case of Northern Ireland. The other Irish had Stapleton, Whelan, Houghton, Moran… Northern Ireland had no solid big names.
5.Malta 8 0 2 6 3-18 2
This is the national side before the World Cup qualifier against Northern Ireland played at the National Stadium at Ta’ Qali on 26th April 1989. Standing from: David Cluett (Floriana FC), Denis Cauchi (Floriana FC), John Buttigieg (Brentford, England), team captain Ray Vella (Ħamrun Spartans), Martin Gregory (Sliema Wanderers) and Edwin Camilleri (Hibernians). Squatting: Charles Xerri (Hibernians), Joe Galea (Rabat Ajax), David Carabott (Hibernians), Carmel Busuttil (KRC Genk, Belgium) and Michael Degiorgio (Ħamrun Spartans). Improvement was there, testified by players good enough to play in England and Belgium, but Malta still remained an outsider. The team on the picture lost the game 0-2 at home. However, they extracted 1-1 tie against Hungary in Budapest.
Group 7.
1.BELGIUM 8 4 4 0 15- 5 12
Much depends on draw… Belgium was in a group of relative equals. Yes, it was in decline, very mucg dependent of veterans, but among the opposition there was no formidable team and anything was possible. And no matter what, the Belgians were traditionally good fighters. So, like many times before Belgium was at least serious and solid and won the group. It was great to see wonderful player like Gerets going one more time to World Cup finals.
2.CZECHOSLOVAKIA 8 5 2 1 13- 3 12
May be this vintage lacked the talent of the 1976 European champions, but Josef Venglos and Vaclav Jezek were back at the helm and delivered. A mixed bag of a team, really, but having a core of strong players – Griga, Luhovy, Hasek, Straka, Nemecek, Chovanec, Moravcik. At least for reaching the finals in this group, that was enough. For more? Highly unlikely…
3.Portugal 8 4 2 2 11- 8 10
The great soaring of 1983-87 was gone, Portugal sunk into relative decline again and the team shows it: Rui Barros was pretty much the lone star. If there are not strong players, nothing could be done… Portugal tried as much as they could, but the limitations of the team excluded them from the finals.
4.Switzerland 8 2 1 5 10-14 5
Only luck would had them qualified – Switzerland simply did not have enough great players. Kubilay Turkylmaz was not enough to propel them higher. As expected.
5.Luxembourg 8 0 1 7 3-22 1
Naturally, outsiders. Got one point from Belgium, which amounted to a great success at the time for Luxembourg, especially because the point was earned in the away match. No matter that the game did not matter to Belgium.