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Europa 80
Europa 80 venues mapEuropa 80 was the first European Championships to resemble a proper summer tournament with eight teams now initially competing in a group stage, rather than just four in a Semi-final > 3&4th play off  > Final format. UEFA's decision to expand the finals to eight teams, which had been agreed in July 1976, required a host country to be selected before the qualifiers began. No less than six countries offered to stage it - England, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland and West Germany. England were one of the final two up for consideration, but at a meeting on 19th October 1977 the tournament organising committee agreed to recommend Italy and this was unanimously approved by UEFA's executive committee in Zurich on 12th November 1977. Regrettably, there would be no semi-finals stage, the two group winners directly progressing to the final which naturally resulted in teams approaching most of the games in an over cautious manner and some countries losing interest earlier than normal. Had UEFA sacrificed the 3rd/4th play off for a semi-final stage, it would have only required squeezing in one extra fixture, but as it was, the attendance's and TV viewing figures were disappointing and the whole tournament proved to be a huge anti-climax, particularly for England who were competing in the finals of an international tournament for the first time in 10 years. In their opening match, following Belgium's equaliser, England fans began fighting with locals who had taken it upon themselves to gain access to the England end and chant for Belgium, which led to Italian riot police taking the decision to use tear gas which drifted onto the pitch, badly effecting goalkeeper Ray Clemence and holding up the match in which no further goals were scored. The 2nd fixture against the hosts was lost, a result that did at least avoid further hostility being directed at English fans by the locals, but also rendered England's 3rd game against Spain as effectively meaningless.

Commentators / Theme tunes
ITV sent three commentators to Italy, Brian Moore covered the England matches as well as the final* whilst Gerald Sinstadt and Martin Tyler voiced the rest (no Hugh Johns). Ron Atkinson and Terry Venables were the co-commentators. Presenting duties back home were handled by Dickie Davies. Other studio personal included Brian Clough, Mick Channon, Ian St. John and Trevor Francis (who was unable to play due to an injury). The studio had a black background and a picture of the Colosseum. ITV's theme tune was by Nigel Hess.
The BBC's coverage went out under the "International Match of the Day" banner and so they presumably used the familiar MOTD theme tune. The three BBC commentators in Italy were John Motson, Barry Davies and Des Lynam.

*Brian Moore always stayed behind in London in a presenting role during World Cups, so this was his first time commentating on a recognisably full length International tournament.


Dickie Davies hosting live coverage of Italy v England (left), Francis, St John & Channon (centre) and a shot of the studio with the end credits (right)

Qualification
Ron Greenwood, England manager 1977The qualifying draw was made on 30th November 1977 in Rome, 32 nations entered with only Albania and Liechtenstein declining to take part. Seven groups would ultimately produce seven group winners to join the hosts. England and the Soviet Union were surprisingly among the seven seeded nations after both countries had failed to qualify for the previous two World Cups, but they were chosen by UEFA because of "the importance their football gives to Europe." England were drawn in Group One along with Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Bulgaria and Denmark, none of whom had made it to Argentina '78. Temporary England manager Ron Greenwood said; "We want our backsides kicking if we don't get through this time." Group Two saw unseeded Scotland paired up with Belgium (the seeded team), Austria, Portugal and Norway, whilst Wales were in Group Seven with West Germany, Turkey and Malta. Back on 9th July 1976, following crowd trouble at Wales' last Euro's match in the Quarter-final home leg v Yugoslavia, it had been announced that UEFA had banned the Welsh from taking part in Europa 80, but on 18th October 1976 the ban was reduced to forbidding Wales from playing home games at Ninian Park.

By the time the qualifiers were due to begin, Ron Greenwood had been given the England job full-time and he guided the team to the finals with ease, winning all but one of the eight group matches. Johnny Giles' Republic of Ireland were the only Group One opponents able to take a point against England with a draw in Dublin. England also registered some impressive friendly results during this period, beating the current World Cup holders Argentina 3-1 at Wembley as well as winning 2-0 in Spain and recording a third successive victory against Scotland in the Home Internationals in 1980.
Despite finishing 2nd in England's group, Northern Ireland's manager Danny Blanchflower quit after their final fixture, which was a home win over the Republic of Ireland after the historic first ever meeting of the two Irish nations in Dublin had ended on a goalless draw.
Scotland's opening match in Austria proved to be Ally MacLeod's last as the manager and he was replaced by Jock Stein for what was to be his 2nd spell in charge, but the Scots finished next to bottom of their group, largely due to poor away form. Mike Smith's Wales never had much hope of topping a group including West Germany, but to finish 3rd behind Turkey was disappointing.
Elsewhere, Spain topped Group Three ahead of Yugoslavia despite losing to them at home. Poland took three out of four possible points off the Dutch in Group Four, but it was the Netherlands who ultimately came out on top. Czechoslovakia saw off the challenge of France and Sweden in Group Five and a closely fought Group Six ended with only 2 points separating top from bottom, Greece taking 1st place whilst the Soviet Union failed to take advantage of their seeding - unable to beat either Hungary or Finland, they finished in last place.
 

British TV coverage of Europa 80

Wed 16/Jan/1980    Europa 80 Finals Draw
Rome
BBC1
*The BBC included coverage of the draw on "Sportsnight" at 9:55-11:10pm, though presumably it was not live. After being drawn into the hosts group Ron Greenwood - who was in Rome - told the press "England are not going to win this competition without beating some very good teams, I believe Italy are probably the best side, so we have to beat them." Italy manager Enzo Bearzot said "Ideally I hoped Italy would meet England in the final. What makes the England-Italy match so special is the contrast in attitudes, Italy play defensive football, England play an attacking game. It could be the most spectacular game of the championship. I have worries for Italy for one reason, the England team are more motivated than any other team in the competition. West Germany, Holland and Italy have done well in big competitions in recent years, England have not and will be all the more determined because of this."
 

Europa 80 mascot - PinoccioEuropa 80 Finals
Held in Italy (Rome, Milan, Naples and Turin)
The eight finalists were split into two groups of four, the two group winners contested the final, the runners-up played off for 3rd place (no semi-finals).
TVTimes Wall Chart

Tue 10/06/1980      "The European Football Championship"
*ITV's preview programme was broadcast from 9:30-10pm, presented by Brian Moore with guest Brian Clough and an interview with England manager Ron Greenwood whose team had flown to Italy from Luton airport in the afternoon. BBC1 also had a preview of the tournament at 10:20-10:50pm.
 

Game 1

Wed 11/06/1980    West Germany 1 (Rummenigge) Czechoslovakia 0
Group A (4:45pm bst)
ITV LIVE
Brian Moore & Terry Venables
*ITV had LIVE coverage of the opening game at 4:25-6:45pm, the fixture was a repeat of the the final played four years earlier, yet only 11,000 turned out to see it. The match was disappointing but a goal did come on 57 minutes when Karl-Heinz Rummenigge was on the end of a looping high cross from Hansi Müller to head it back across the face of goal and in. Jupp Derwall, the West German manager, said afterwards "We had problems with the temperature and humidity. During an opening match like this teams are trying hard not to lose and perhaps that's the reason the game did not live up to expectations." John Motson commentated on the game for highlights on BBC1.

Wed 11/06/1980    Netherlands 1 (Kist(pen)) Greece 0
Group A (7:30pm bst)
ITV Highlights
Gerald Sinstadt*
*This match was not shown live on either channel, though it was ITV's featured match on their late night highlights programme at 11:10-11:55pm presented by Dickie Davies with Ian St John and Mick Channon (Czechoslovakia v West Germany was shown as the 2nd match). Des Lynam voiced the match for BBC1 who only showed highlights of both of today's games at 10:30-11:40pm. Note:- One source says Tyler commentated for ITV, but Sinstadt penned a report on this match for the Times. The Netherlands had to substitute their keeper after only 15 minutes when Peter Schrijvers injured himself, but Kees Kist scored the only goal from the penalty spot on 65 minutes to give the Dutch the points after the Greek keeper Konstantinou had kicked out at Dick Naninga as the Dutch player beared down on a defender turning to take the ball away from danger at the byline, Konstantinou threw himself  down to the ground as if it was he who had been kicked in an apparent attempt to confuse the referee, but the penalty was awarded. Greece almost equalised minutes from the end, Kapsis met a corner with his head but the Netherlands substitute keeper Pim Doesburg fingertipped it onto the crossbar.

Thu 12/06/1980    Belgium 1 (Ceulemans) England 1 (Wilkins)
Group B (4:45pm bst)
ITV Highlights
Brian Moore
*BBC1 had LIVE coverage with John Motson & Bobby Charlton commentating at 4:35-6:50pm. Ray Wilkins scored a great goal to put England ahead on 25 after Belgium had failed to properly deal with a cross by Brooking, Wilkins lobbed the ball over the defence and then ran on to half-volley a chip into the top corner. Jan Ceulemans soon equalised on 29, stabbing home after a goalmouth scramble. It was then that trouble erupted behind the goal into which Belgium had scored, police used tear gas bombs and charged into the England support swinging their batons. Ray Clemence and Kenny Sansom suffered from the effects of the tear gas and play was held up for 5 minutes. In the 2nd half, Tony Woodcock found the back on the net on 75, Sansom - who had supplied the cross - was tentatively ruled offside by the linesman who raised his flag before putting it down again, but the Belgium players made sure the referee upheld his colleague's initial instinct. England manager Ron Greenwood said afterwards; "It was an even first half and they shut up shop in the second half, we found it difficult to break them down." On the trouble-makers Greenwood said; "I wish they could all be put in a boat and dropped in the ocean." On Friday morning The Mirror's sensationalist back page headline warned of an "ENGLAND BAN THREAT", but they then went on to quote FA secretary Ted Croker as merely stating; "UEFA have the power to suspend us, but I don't believe they will take such a severe course, they will probably fine us heavily." A fine of £8,000 was announced later that day,but many of those who were there insisted that local thugs were as much to blame for the trouble as visiting England fans and that the police reaction had been totally disproportionate. The match turned out to be the 8th and final England appearance for David Johnson. ITV showed highlights at some point during the live broadcast of the night match.

Thu 12/06/1980    Italy 0 Spain 0
Group B (7:30pm bst)
ITV LIVE
Martin Tyler & Ron Atkinson
*ITV had LIVE coverage at 7:00-9:30pm. The Italians forced some good saves out of Arconada in the 1st half and Graziani might have won a penalty had he not resorted to theatrics to underline the challenge in the box, he was booked for his protests. Spain were unlucky not to go ahead as early as the 12th minute when they had a goal ruled out by a marginal offside decision. The unfancied Spanish team also went close in the 2nd half when a Juanito free-kick crashed down off the underside of the crossbar into the grateful arms of Dino Zoff. A shot from Tardelli clipped the bar at the other end and the game ended scoreless, with the hosts leaving the field to jeers and whistles. It was a good result for England that saw them share top spot in Group B with Belgium on goals scored at completion of the first set of fixtures. BBC1 had Barry Davies call the Italy v Spain game for highlights of today's matches at 10:15-11:05pm.

Sat 14/06/1980    "World of Sport"
*ITV's Saturday afternoon Sport show included a review of the European Championships at 12:35pm. BBC1 had a "Football Focus" as part of "Grandstand" from 12:35-12:50pm.

TVTimes 14th June 1980

Game 2

Sat 14/06/1980    West Germany 3 (Allofs 3) Netherlands 2 (Rep(pen), Willy van de Kerkhof)
Group A (4:45pm bst)
ITV Highlights
Gerald Sinstadt
*BBC1 showed this LIVE as part of "Grandstand" with Barry Davies & Lawrie McMenemy commentating, coverage of the actual football from 4:35-6:30pm. A winner in this fixture would be clear favourites to win the group and book their place in the final. Klaus Allofs netted a hat-trick to fire the Germans into a 3-0 lead, the first coming on 20 after Bernd Schuster had turned on the edge of the box and struck against the post leaving Allofs with the simple task of rolling the rebound into a gaping net. The Dutch should have had a penalty on 52 when René van de Kerkhof was brought down by Uli Stielike, but the referee inexplicably awarded the Dutch an indirect free-kick for obstruction which came to nothing. then came two further West German goals - it was 2-0 on the hour when an Allofs shot with the outside of his left foot from the edge of the box found the far corner of the net after being set up by Hansi Müller, and 5 minutes later Allofs volleyed in from close range at the end of a pull-back by Schuster. The Dutch did get a penalty on 79 for a clear cynical foul on Bennie Wijnstekers by Lothar Matthaus, although ironically the TV replay showed that it had been committed well outside the box. Johnny Rep converted.  There was a late scare for West Germany when Willy van de Kerkhof pulled it back to 3-2 on 85 with a fizzing low 25 yarder. ITV highlights were shown during their live coverage of the night match.

Sat 14/06/1980    Czechoslovakia 3 (Panenka, Vizek, Nehoda) Greece 1 (Anastopoulos)
Group A (7:30pm bst)
ITV LIVE
Martin Tyler & Ron Atkinson
*ITV had this match LIVE at 7:15-9:30pm. Less than 5,000 spectators turned up to see Antonín Panenka put the Czechs ahead on 6 with a direct free-kick that the keeper could only help into the near corner of the net, Nikos Anastopoulos equalised on 14 with a flicked header on the end of a cross from the right, but the Czechs soon restored the lead on 26 via a swift break and fine ball out to the right which Ladislav Vízek hit first time past the advancing keeper. In the 2nd half Zdenek Nehoda made it 3-1 on 63 at the end of a corner. There was no BBC coverage of this one today, although Des Lynam commentated for goal clips broadcast on the Sunday.

Sun 15/06/1980    "The European Football Championship"
*A preview of the Italy v England match presented by Dickie Davies at 2:30-3:00pm

Sun 15/06/1980    Belgium 2 (Gerets, Cools) Spain 1 (Quini)
Group B (4:45pm bst)
ITV Highlights
Martin Tyler
*Curiously not shown live by either channel, BBC1 included the match in a late night highlights show with Barry Davies commentating at 11:05-12:05pm whilst ITV showed a highlights package of the day's events at 11:35pm-12:05am. Belgium went ahead on 17 with a goal fashioned by a purposelful forward run by defender Meeuws and, after an exchange of passes, finished by a right foot srike by Eric Gerets. Quini equalised on 36 with a looping header on the end of a deep free-kick from wide-left, but Julien Cools netted a winner for Belgium on 65 after Ceulemans had skillfully left two defenders for dead on the right flank and then played a deflected ball into the box which Cools was able to prod in at the far post.

Sun 15/06/1980    Italy 1 (Tardelli) England 0
Group B (7:30pm bst)
ITV LIVE
Brian Moore & Ron Atkinson
*Exclusively LIVE on ITV at 7:15-9:30pm introduced from London by Dickie Davies, joined by Ian St John, Mick Channon and Trevor Francis. This fixture was watched by the highest attendance of the tournament (including the final), 59,646. Following crowd trouble in their opening match, most of the 1,000 England fans decided to take a safety in numbers approach and arranged to meet at the railway station and walk to the ground together from there, forcing the police into giving them an escort (a request for which had earlier been turned down), the fans were met at the stadium by riot police with shields and drawn batons and they were searched before being allowed in. England were unfortunate not to take a 2nd half lead when Ray Kennedy (in his 17th and final appearance in England colours) snapped a superb shot against the upright on 57, Kevin Keegan was also agonisingly close with a shot that flashed across the face of goal. On 78 Phil Neal failed to make an effective challenge on Graziani which left the Italian free down the left and his hard low cross found Tardelli in the six-yard area who turned the ball past Shilton for 1-0. Ron Greenwood said afterwards; "Phil Neal is blaming himself but no one else is blaming him. No honour was lost out there on the field. We feel we belong in top company and in top competitions, everybody did a great job and the match itself was even, both teams played much better than in their first games." Italy boss Enzo Bearzot said; "I thought our 2nd half display was as good as anything we produced in the World Cup in Argentina, we were more effective because we moved Bettega in from the left wing to the centre and created room for all our attacks down that flank." ITV also had a late night highlights programme from 11:35pm-12:05am, BBC1 had John Motson at the game for highlights included on their late show at 11:05pm-12:05am. The following day, many newspapers abroad were reporting that Kevin Keegan had accused the referee of taking a bribe, though the tape of his interview revealed that what he actually said was; "On their own ground, well, they always seem to get a bit of help from referees, but I'm not saying they are bought or anything, just that fifty-fifty decisions always went to Italy." Ron Greenwood would only comment; "Anything I say might indicate that we are taking this seriously and we most definitely are not."

Game 3

Tue 17/06/1980    Czechoslovakia 1 (Nehoda) Netherlands 1 (Kist)
Group A (4:45pm bst)
ITV Highlights
Martin Tyler
*BBC2 showed this match LIVE at 4:35-6:40pm with Barry Davies & Bobby Charlton commentating. Both sides had to win to have any hope of reaching the final, though a draw would be enough for the Czechs to make the 3rd place play-off.  The Dutch made a purposeful start to the game and Frans Thijssen hit the woodwork on 5 minutes, but against the run of play Zdenek Nehoda slid into the the six yard area to prod the Czechs ahead on 16 after some good build up play by Masny and Vizek. Arie Haan, famed for his long range shooting in 1978 World Cup, came on as a sub for the Netherlands in the 2nd half and was close with a couple of trademark efforts, but it was Kees Kist who equalised on 59 - receiving a square ball from Krol's free-kick he took a touch and then, as he fell to the ground, managed to get in a shot which just squeezed into the corner of the goal. A late Dutch header on 81 by van der Korput also found the net but was ruled out for offside. ITV showed highlights of this one during the live broadcast of the night match.

Tue 17/06/1980    Greece 0 West Germany 0
Group A (7:30pm bst)
ITV LIVE
Gerald Sinstadt & Ron Atkinson
*LIVE on ITV from 7:00-9:30pm. The result of the afternoon match rendered this fixture meaningless - The West Germans were now guaranteed a place in the final whilst Greece were destined to finish bottom of the group, though they did salvage some pride with this point. West Germany rested their hat-trick hero Allofs as well as the players on yellow cards in danger of being suspended for the final - they created the better chances but were probably satisfied to maintain their 2 year unbeaten record. BBC1 showed a highlights programme at 10:25-11:15pm with Des Lynam commentating on this game.

Group A Final Table
1. West Germany   +2  5
2. Czechoslovakia +1  3
3. Netherlands     0  3
4. Greece         -3  1

Wed 18/06/1980    England 2 (Brooking, Woodcock) Spain 1 (Dani(pen))
Group B (4:45pm bst)
ITV LIVE
Brian Moore & Ron Atkinson
*ITV had exclusive LIVE coverage at 4:25-6:45pm including an interview with Glenn Hoddle. It was still possible for either side to make the 3rd place play-off with a victory, though a 2 goal winning margin would give the winners a better chance. Trevor Brooking put England ahead on 19 by lashing the ball in from the right of the 6 yard area after a high cross by McDermott had been headed back across goal by Wilkins. On 48 Zamora made a strong run at goal, exchanged a one-two and then went down as Clemence attempted to push the ball away from his feet - The referee awarded the penalty and Dani equalised from the spot for 1-1. Spain won another penalty only four minutes later when Dave Watson tripped Enrique Saura as he turned in the box, Dani again netted from the spot but the referee ordered a re-take and this time Ray Clemence saved it. England went 2-1 ahead with a goal by Tony Woodcock on 61, prodding in a re-bound after McDermott's tremendous volley on the end of a corner had been parried by Arconada. Spain then had an effort blocked on the line, a goal ruled out for offside and also saw a header come back off the crossbar, whilst at the other end England somehow failed to score with a series of successive strikes in a mad scramble. Sub Trevor Cherry made his 27th and final international appearance. Barry Davies commentated for BBC1 who showed highlights during their live broadcast of the night match.

Wed 18/06/1980    Italy 0 Belgium 0
Group B (7:30pm bst)
ITV Highlights
Martin Tyler
*LIVE on BBC1 at 6:55-9:35pm with John Motson & Bobby Charlton commentating. Italy required a victory to go through to the final whilst a draw would be good enough for rank outsiders Belgium (as they had scored more goals in the earlier group games). The Belgians did venture forward and held the initative for long periods, testing Zoff with two free-kick efforts in the opening half-hour of a rough game that saw five players cautioned. Italy were denied a clear penalty when a defender cleared with his hand near the edge of the box and the last 20 minutes were desperate with Belgium hanging on until the final whistle. ITV had a highlights programme at 11:05-11:50pm.

Group B Final Table
1. Belgium        +1  4
2. Italy          +1  4
3. England         0  3
4. Spain          -2  1

Sat 21/06/1980    "World of Sport"
*A Europa 80 report was included during the early part of the programme.

3rd & 4th Place Play Off

Sat 21/06/1980    Czechoslovakia 1 (Jurkemik) Italy 1 (Graziani) *Czechs won on 9-8 on pens (no extra-time)
Naples, 7:30pm bst
BBC Highlights
Barry Davies
*BBC1 showed highlights of this at the very late time of 12:15am prompting letters of complaint to the Radio Times (they had originally intended to show it live), After a goalless 1st half Ladislav Jurkemik put Czechoslovakia ahead on 54, Francesco Graziani equalised for Italy on 73 and the match then went straight to a penalty shoot out. Both sides netted all 5 spot kicks and both then netted the next 3 in sudden death, but Fulvio Collovati finally failed for Italy. ITV showed brief clips the following day ahead of the final called by Gerald Sinstadt.

The Final

Sun 22/06/1980    "The European Football Championship"
*A 30 minute slot at 5:00-5:30pm to preview the final, hosted by Dickie Davies with Ian St John and Mick Channon.

Sun 22/06/1980    West Germany 2 (Hrubesch 2) Belgium 1 (Vandereycken(pen))
Rome, 7:30pm bst
ITV LIVE
Brian Moore & Ron Atkinson
*Both channels showed the final LIVE. ITV from 7:15-9:45pm with England manager Ron Greenwood billed to appear, BBC1 at 7:15-9:35pm with John Motson commentating. TVTimes incorrectly billed Jack Charlton as the co-commentator. Belgium set out to smother and spoil their opponents but Horst Hrubesch put the West Germans ahead on 10 after Schuster and Allofs had combined to send Hrubesh clear to chest the ball under control and sweep home. The Germans were much the better side - particularly in the first half, but on 75 Belgium were awarded a controversial penalty when Stielike chopped down van der Elst, seemingly outside the area. Despite the German protests the Romanian referee stuck to his judgement that the foul was committed inside the box and René Vandereycken equalised from the spot for 1-1. Justice was done at the end when Horst Hrubesch scored his 2nd goal in the final for a late winner on 88 with a header at the end of a Rummenigge corner. ITV would have showed a highlights programme at 11pm if England had made it to the final. Had the final ended in a draw, a replay would have taken place on Tuesday 24th June.
 
 

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01.05.2022

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