Czech Republic vs Portugal
Underdogs Czech Republic rode an impressive defensive performance, and a virtuoso goal from Karel Poborsky to earn a spot in the EURO 96 semi finals with a 1-0 win over Portugal at Villa Park. Czech coach Dusan Uhrin would go into this game without star midfielder Pavel Nedved, who was suspended for two yellow cards […]
Czech Republic vs Portugal
Portugal would continue from where they left off last match, setting up in a 442 with a diamond midfield and no changes to the starting line up. Sa Pinto’s movements would take him more to the right wing area, and similarly Joao Pinto would do the same on the left side. Rui Costa had to […]
Germany vs Croatia
Germany moved into the semi finals of EURO 96 with a hard fought 2-1 win over Croatia at Old Trafford. Defender Matthias Sammer was a key presence for the Germans, winning the penalty from which Jurgen Klinsmann opened the scoring. Sammer rounded out his match winning performance by scoring a second half winner after Davor […]
Germany vs Croatia
This game would prove to be a real test of Berti Vogts managerial skill sets, both in how he managed this game tactically and maintained freshness within what was a squad carrying significant injuries. Mehmet Scholl would come in to replace the injured Thomas Hassler in midfield, Stefan Reuter would come back in for Thomas […]
France vs Holland
France earned a place in the Euro 96 semi finals after a 5-4 penalty shootout win that followed a hard fought 0-0 game through extra time. Right back Lilian Thuram was among the star performers for France as they were forced to defend long spells of Dutch pressure late in regulation and during extra time. […]
France vs Holland
Guus Hiddink would alter the shape of his Holland side in this match, reverting to a back four in defence presumably as a reaction to the humbling they received in the final group match from England. Blind would be the player to step forward into the midfield to make the back line a diamond, connecting […]
England vs Spain
England advanced to the semi finals of Euro 96 with a nerve wracking and somewhat fortunate victory over Spain at Wembley Stadium. After a scoreless, but not uneventful draw over 120 minutes, a David Seaman save secured a 4-2 penalty shootout victory for the Three Lions. England manager Terry Venables made a change to his […]
England vs Spain
England Head Coach Terry Venables had some tough decisions to make ahead of this game, primarily who would replace the suspended Paul Ince in midfield, but how that switch would then impact the rest of the team. Venables would eventually settle on David Platt, who’s position varied throughout the game within a highly fluid 4-4-2 […]