Euro 84
France were announced as hosts of the 1984 European Championships on 10th December 1981, West Germany were the only other candidates but the vote was unanimous. The decision to re-introduce a straightforward knock-out semi-final stage (as well as retaining the last-eight/two groups of four format introduced for the previous tournament) ensured that 1984 would be the year the European Championships finally came of age*. Unfortunatley no British team qualified and consequently only two matches, including the final, were broadcast live on British television whilst many of the group games were afforded little more than a goals report. ITV, aside from a couple of token round-ups on World of Sport** and highlights of one semi-final, decided not bother with the finals at all - this after coming to an agreement over which matches they would cover with the BBC who were then angered by ITV's late change of plan. It was an appalling state of affairs, particularly in light of RTE's schedules in Ireland (which offered most matches live***) and the fact that the tournament proved to be a hugely entertaining and trouble-free success.
The BBC sent two commentators to France, John Motson and Alan Parry. Barry Davies was in South America covering England's friendly matches which were staged the same week Euro '84 kicked-off.

*Euro 84 would also see the 3rd/4th place play off dropped. To date, it has never been reinstated.
**We think Martin Tyler voiced France's group matches as well as Spaun's semi-final and the final whilst Peter Brackley called Germany's games plus the France semi-final. John Helm did the other group games.
***RTE programmes in Ireland were presented by Bill O'Herlihy, the commentators in France were Ger Canning and Jimmy Magee.

Qualification
The qualifying draw was made in Paris on 8th January 1982. England were the nation to avoid, though not because anybody feared the team but because of the ever worsening hooligan problem, the English 'fans' having cemented their reputation for causing mayhem abroad with further disturbances during a match in Switzerland a little over six months earlier. England were placed in Group 3 along with Hungary, Greece, Denmark and Luxembourg, the latter having once stated that they would never play host to England again after crowd trouble in 1977. Ron Greenwood was still England manager at the time the draw was made, but he had already made it known of his intention to step down after the 1982 World Cup finals in Spain; "It's an ideal draw and it will be good for whoever takes over" he said. As expected, Bobby Robson (pictured), who had enjoyed a fair degree of success as manager of Ipswich Town, was finally confirmed as the new England manager on 7th July 1982, two days after England had been knocked out of the World Cup finals.
Jock Stein's Scotland, following yet another World Cup finals First Round exit on goal difference, would have to face Belgium again (as they had done so in the unsuccessful Europa 80 qualifying campaign) as well as East Germany and Switzerland. Mike England's Wales were paired up with Bulgaria, Norway and, reviving memories of the ill-fated violent quarter-final clash in 1976, Yugoslavia. Billy Bingham's Northern Ireland were handed the seemingly impossible task of overcoming holders West Germany as well as facing Austria, Turkey and Albania.

England began the campaign satisfactorily enough with a draw and a win in their opening pair of fixtures which were both away from home, though once again it was the behaviour of the England supporters that made the headlines in Denmark. The first major setback on the field of play was a goalless draw at home to Greece, soon to be followed by a demoralising three match tour of Australia (all played against the hosts), prior to which Bobby Robson was reported to have suggested that there was a six goal difference between the two nations, yet England only won one game (by the odd goal) and drew the other two. England's next match was the crucial qualifier at home to Denmark, Alan Simonsen's first half penalty was enough to win it for the Danes and England would now have to rely on Denmark slipping up in their remaining games, they did so in Hungary but a victory in Greece secured top spot and England were out. England's friendly results during this period were equally depressing, West Germany and the Soviet Union both recorded victories at Wembley whilst there were away defeats in France and Uruguay. Had it not been for an unlikely win in Brazil in June 1984, largely thanks to an outstanding individual effort by John Barnes, the FA may well have come under more pressure to replace Bobby Robson ahead the World Cup qualifying campaign for 1986.

Scotland began Euro 84 with a victory at home to East Germany, but from there it quickly went from bad to worse and the Scots finished bottom of their group. Northern Ireland recorded an incredible double over West Germany and cancelled out an early defeat in Austria by winning the return match, yet they still somehow managed not to qualify, largely due to an extremely disappointing defeat in Turkey. In the end it was an inferior goal difference that allowed the Germans to snatch 1st place at the death with a late winner v Albania. Wales too came agonizingly close to making it to France, both of their matches against Yugoslavia were drawn but it was the latter who progressed with a victory in the winner-takes-all final group match against Bulgaria, a draw in that game or a 1-0 win for Bulgaria would have seen the Welsh go through.

Elsewhere, World Cup holders Italy were surprisingly out of contention from an early stage, eventually finishing 4th in their group having lost half of their eight fixtures and winning only once. The Netherlands were desperately unlucky in Group 7 and probably would have gone through had it not been for the fact that Spain knew exactly how many goals they were required to score against Malta. The Dutch had played their final match, also at home to Malta, four days earlier - winning 5-0, but Spain proceeded to win their game 12-1 to squeeze through level on points and level on goal difference but having scored a mere 2 goals more. The Republic of Ireland were also in this group but although they were able to take maximum points against Malta and Iceland, they only managed a home draw with Spain and lost both games against the Dutch. Aside from Denmark, Portugal were the surprise package of the qualifying round by topping Group 2 ahead of the Soviet Union and World Cup semi-finalists Poland.

British TV coverage of Euro 84

ITV games are in white, BBC or non-televised matches are in grey.
All matches were broadcast in colour.

The draw for the finals group stage was made by two French schoolboys in Paris on 10th January 1984, it was not shown on British television. The format was simple; Two groups of four teams would see the top two in each pool progress to the knock-out Semi-final stage. The hosts had the seemingly more difficult group compared to holders West Germany, France would have to play Europa 80 runners-up Belgium, 1976 4th placed finishes Yugoslavia and the surprise winners of England's qualifying group, Denmark. The Germans would come up against long term underachievers Spain, plus Portugal (who hadn't previously qualified for a tournament since 1966) and Romania.

Game 1

Tue 12/Jun/1984    France 1 (Platini) Denmark 0
Group A (7:30pm bst)
*No Euro 84 action was seen on British TV until the following day (ITV had agreed to cover all Group A games but made a late decision to pull out). The match was shown live in the Republic of Ireland on RTE2 (7:15-9:25pm). Denmark lost their star man Simonsen shortly before half-time with a broken leg, Platini scored a late winning goal for the hosts on 78 as a result of Giresse having a shot blocked and Lacombe then touching it on to the scorer. Late on, France had Amoros sent off for head-butting Jesper Olsen in retaliation to a late, though seemingly innocuous tackle and received a three match ban, meaning he wouldn't be able to play in the tournament again unless France reached the final. Martin Tyler voiced clips for the following Saturday's "World of Sport" round-up.

Wed 13/Jun/1984    Belgium 2 (Vandenbergh, Grün) Yugoslavia 0
Group A (7:30pm bst)
*Bob Wilson reported on this and yesterday's match during BBC1's coverage of England's freindly in Uruguay as part of a 7 minute preview of the tournament. Again, viewers in Ireland (and those on the Welsh coast who could pick up the signal) were far better served with live coverage on RTE1 at 7:10-9:30pm. Belgium took the lead with a goal on the counter attack on 29 - Vandenbergh scoring with the help of a deflection, Grün then bagged a 2nd before the break. Belgium were well in control in the 2nd half and might have had more had it not been for some disgraceful fouls by the Yugoslav defence. The voice of John Helm was on ITV clips shown as part of a round-up on "World of Sport" three days later.

Thu 14/Jun/1984    West Germany 0 Portugal 0
Group B (4:15pm bst)
BBC Highlights
John Motson
*Highlights of this and the evening game were shown on a late night programme on BBC1. RTE2 showed the afternoon game live (4:00-6:20pm) but didn't have any coverage of the night game. A frustrating afternoon for the Germans who were on top in the 1st half, but ran out of ideas in the 2nd.

Thu 14/Jun/1984    Romania 1 (Bölöni) Spain 1 (Carrasco(pen))
Group B (7:30pm bst)
BBC Highlights
Alan Parry
*Highlights of today's Group B games were shown on BBC1 introduced by Jimmy Hill at 11:25pm-12:10am. Carrasco put Spain ahead from the penalty spot on 22 after he had been tripped in the box by the keeper, Bölöni volleyed a splendid equaliser for Romania on 35.

Game 2

Sat 16/Jun/1984    France 5 (Platini 3(1pen), Giresse, Fernandez) Belgium 0
Group A (4:15pm bst)
*No coverage of today's games on British television, ITV were pencilled in to cover these matches but merely had a round-up on "World of Sport" at 12:05-12:45pm (Martin Tyler was heard on ITV clips of this match shown the following week). RTE1 showed this game live as part of their lengthy Saturday afternoon "Sports Stadium" programme. Belgium were fancied as possibly the most likely team to challenge the favourites for the trophy, but their tactical nous was no match for the sheer ability of the French. Platini gave the hosts an early lead on 4, Belgium had a short spell around the half-hour mark where they might have equalised, de Wolf hit the bar and Vandenbergh went close too, but Giresse made it 2-0 on 33 and Fernandez effectively secured the points before HT with a 3rd goal on 43, Platini converted a peanlty on 74 and then completed his hat-trick to make it 5-0 on 89. French boss Michel Hidalgo said that it was the best performance in his eight years as manager.

Sat 16/Jun/1984    Denmark 5 (Arnesen 2(1pen), Berggreen, Elkjær, Lauridsen) Yugoslavia 0
Group A (7:30pm bst)
*Reports of today's games eventually went out on "Sunday Grandstand" on BBC2 towards the end of the programme the following day (Bob Wilson doing the voice-over for this game). Arnesen gave Denmark an early lead on 8 with a powerful cross which cannoned into the goal off the chest of the unprepared keeper, Berggreen then made it 2-0 on 16. In the 2nd half, Arnesen converted a penalty on 69, Elkjær made it 4-0 on 82 and Lauridsen completed the rout and a dazzling Danish performance with a 5th on 84. John Helm voiced the game for ITV clips shown a week later.

Sun 17/Jun/1984    West Germany 2 (Völler 2) Romania 1 (Coras)
Group B (4:15pm bst)
BBC Highlights
John Motson
*Völler headed in Meier's cross to put West Germany ahead on 25 and might have had two more before the break. Romania looked down and almost out but netted a surprise equaliser only 35 seconds after the re-start through Coras, Völler scored his 2nd after being set up by Rummenigge to restore the German advantage on 66.

Sun 17/Jun/1984    Portugal 1 (Sousa) Spain 1 (Santillana)
Group B (7:30pm bst)
BBC Highlights
Alan Parry
*BBC1 had a "Sports Special" at 10:35pm-12:55am with highlights of England's friendly in Chile, they also had Show Jumping and Motor Racing, there was no mention of the European Championships in the newspaper listings but they did show highlights. RTE2 broadcast this game live at 7:15-9:25pm. Sousa put Portugal ahead on 52 with a delightful chip over the keeper. Spain then hit the crossbar before Santillana equalised on 73 as the defence made a hash of clearing a corner. John Helm described the action for ITV clips shown a week later.

Game 3

Tue 19/Jun/1984    France 3 (Platini 3) Yugoslavia 2 (Šestic, D.Stojkovic(pen))
Group A (7:30pm bst)
*It was not only impossible for Yugoslavia to qualify, they were pretty much guaranteed to finish with the wooden spoon even if they won this match, yet Šestic put them ahead on 32 after exchanging a one-two with Miljus. France had already booked their place in the semi-finals but star man Platini was still selected to play and scored his 2nd hat-trick of the tournament with goals on 59, 62 and with a free-kick on 77. On 82 Bossis tripped Deveric in the area and Dragon Stojkovic netted from the penalty spot to pull one back and end the scoring at 3-2. During the pulsating 2nd half, the Yugoslav team doctor was rushed to hospital when his heart stopped beating having just returned to the bench after treating an injured player, sadly he died later that night. Martin Tyler was the voice on ITV clips shown at the weekend.

Tue 19/Jun/1984    Denmark 3 (Arnesen, Brylle, Elkjær) Belgium 2 (Ceulemans, Vercauteren)
Group A (7:30pm bst)
*Despite today's games deciding the fate of the group, no football was scheduled on British TV as a result of ITV pulling out. Bob Wilson voiced-over a report for the BBC, John Helm for ITV. RTE2 elected to screen the Denmark v Belgium clash live at 7:15-9:25pm, this fixture deciding who would go through with France. The onus was on Belgium who had to win to progress, Ceulemans gave them the lead on 26 shooting in off the post and Vercauteren made it 2-0 on 39 with a lob over the keeper, but Arnesen's penalty conversion on 41 kick-started a Danish comeback, 3 minutes after coming on as a 2nd half substitute Brylle levelled the score at 2-2 with a 60th minute far post header and Elkjær on a counter attack netted a winner for the Danes on 84.

Group A Final Table
1. France         +7  6
2. Denmark        +5  4
3. Belgium        -4  2
4. Yugoslavia     -8  0

Wed 20/Jun/1984    Spain 1 (Maceda) West Germany 0
Group B (7:30pm bst)
BBC LIVE
John Motson & Bobby Charlton
*Finally a live match, shown on BBC1 at 7:10-9:25pm introduced by Jimmy Hill (RTE1 also chose this match as their live game). A draw would have been enough to guarantee West Germany a place in the Semi-finals and they looked like getting just that until Maceda headed in a curling cross in the 90th minute to put Spain through and the holders out. Spain had earlier missed a penalty on the stroke of half-time, Salva's kick saved at full stretch by Schumacher, though the Germans had - by then - hit the woodwork three times. Spain were on top in the 2nd half and Maceda saw his header cleared off the line by Stielike. The last minute goal delighted some of the home French crowd still angry at the nature of their exit to the Germans in the World Cup Semi-final two years earlier, though many locals had been hoping for a re-match in which France could take direct revenge. Peter Brackley was heard on ITV clips shown at the weekend.

Wed 20/Jun/1984    Portugal 1 (Nené) Romania 0
Group B (7:30pm bst)
BBC Highlights
Alan Parry
*Reports were shown during coverage of the live match. Both sides needed the points, Romania in particular who had to win. Nené volleyed a late winner for Portugal on 81 to set up a semi-final meeting with the hosts.

Group B Final Table
1. Spain          +1  4
2. Portugal       +1  4
3. West Germany    0  3
4. Romania        -2  1

Semi-Finals

Sat 23/Jun/1984    France 3 (Domergue 2, Platini) Portugal 2 (Jordão 2) [AET]
(7:00pm bst)
Marseille
BBC Highlights
John Motson
*One of the all-time classic Euro's matches, yet only highlights of this epic Semi-final was seen by British viewers - BBC1 running a programme from 10:50-11:30pm (RTE2 in Ireland did show it live at 6:45-9:00pm). Birthday boy Domergue lashed in a free kick to give France the lead on 24, Fernández then had an effort ruled out for offside and later missed a practically open goal to extend the French lead, the Portuguese keeper also made a series of terrific saves before Jordão rose to meet a ball in from the left to head in an equaliser on 74, France then had a Didier Six shot touched onto the crossbar and the game went into extra-time. Portugal (playing in all white) took the lead on 98, a deep cross found Jordão on the left who miss-volleyed downwards but the ball looped over Bats for 2-1. Bats kept France in the game with a last gasp save and with just under six minutes left a desperate attacking move ended with a Domergue strike pulling it back to 2-2. In the final minute, Platini netted a winner from close range after Tigana had sidestepped his way into the penalty area and pulled back from the byline, a raucous John Motson declared "I've not seen a match like this in years!" . Earlier in the day, ITV had another "World of Sport" round-up of the tournament with Ian St John and Jimmy Greaves at 12:05-12:45pm. Peter Brackley voiced this match for ITV, who presumably showed clips a week later on another WOS round-up.

Sun 24/Jun/1984    Spain 1 (Maceda) Denmark 1 (Lerby) [Spain won on pens AET]
(7:00pm bst)
Lyon
ITV highlights
Martin Tyler
*The only fixture of the tournament that ITV devoted a highlights package to and at very short notice, replacing a repeat of "The Professionals" at 9-30pm-10:30pm. Highlights were also shown on BBC1 introduced by Jimmy Hill at 11:00-11:45pm with Alan Parry commentating (RTE2 showed it live from 6:45pm). Denmark had impressed in the group stage and were favourites to reach the final, they took an early lead on 7 when a cross from the right was met with a header by Elkjær, a combination of keeper and crossbar kept the initial effort out but Lerby followed up to thrash the ball in on the half-volley. The Danes came within a whisker of extending their lead in the 2nd half when an Arnasen effort struck the foot of the post, Spain also hit the woodwork at the other end on 67 when Carrasco danced through the defence on the right before striking the outside of the post - but the loose ball was worked over to the left, bounced kindly to remain in play and Gordilo squared into the area where it found Maceda who struck a fierce low drive into the corner of the net for 1-1. Both sides had good openings to score a 2nd goal as the game went into extra time, Denmark were somewhat harshly reduced to 10 men early in the 2nd period when Bergreen saw a red card for pulling back an opponent near the half-way line (having already been booked earlier), Spain forced one further good save out of Qvist before the tie went to a penalty shoot out. Both sides netted their first four spot kicks although one Danish kick had to be re-taken, Arconada - who had saved the initial effort - was booked by English referee George Courtney for protesting and a ball boy was struck on the back of the head by a beer can thrown by a Spanish supporter. Elkjær blasted Denmark's final kick over the crossbar and Sarabia (an early sub) then scored to put Spain through with 5 pens to 4.
 

The Final

Wed 27/Jun/1984    France 2 (Platini, Bellone) Spain 0
(7:00pm bst)
Paris
BBC LIVE
John Motson & Bobby Robson
*BBC1 had live coverage from 6:40-9:00pm introduced by Jimmy Hill. Bob Wilson was co-presenter with Bobby Charlton summarising. Spain, missing two key players, kept 11 men behind the ball when defending and on the counter-attack they had the best chances in a scoreless first half but were guilty of numerous ugly fouls. On 57 Lacombe made the most of contact with Salva just outside the box and France were fortunate to win a free-kick just to the left of the 'D' - Michel Platini, muted by Spain up to now, curled a low strike around the wall towards the far post, Luis Arconada appeared to make a comfortable save but then lost control of the ball under his body and it trickled over the line before the Spanish keeper could scoop it away. With 6 minutes left on the clock, a late tackle by Yvon Le Roux was his 2nd bookable offence and the French were down to 10 men but in injury-time Jean Tigana sent a through ball for Bruno Bellone to race clear and his delicate chip over the keeper found the back of the net to make it 2-0. The French victory was a fitting end to the career of manager Michel Hidalgo who stepped down after the game to make way for Henri Michel. Martin Tyler commentated for ITV clips.