IX EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP (SWEDEN 1992)

FINAL STAGE — GAME DETAILS

(From 10-06-1992 to 26-06-1992)

GROUP STAGE
STADIUM: Råsunda (Solna, Stockholm) DATE: 10-06-1992 (20:15 h) ATTENDANCE: 29.860 REFEREE: Aleksej Spirin (CIS) GOALS: 1-0 (J. Eriksson 24'); 1-1 (Papin 58')
		Sweden - France
		1-1 (1-0)
SWEDEN Ravelli R. Nilsson, J. Eriksson, P. Andersson, Björklund Schwarz, Thern (c), Limpar, Ingesson K. Andersson (Dahlin 74'), Brolin COACH: Tommy Svensson			FRANCE Martini Amorós (c), Blanc, Casoni, Boli Angloma (Fernández 66'), Sauzée, Deschamps, Vahirua (Pérez 46') Papin, Cantona COACH: Michel Platini
GAME SUMMARY The host team, who were not expected to achieve much in the finals, surprised the French, whose record of straight victories in the qualifying stage had put them among the favorites. Playing the highest standard of football that they had achieved for some years, Sweden outplayed the disorganized French team and could have taken an early lead when, in minute 10, a quickly-taken free kick created a goalscoring chance for Schwarz. Fourteen minutes later, Sweden took the lead from a corner when Jan Eriksson powered a header past the French keeper, and for the rest of the first half France struggled to stay in the game. Sweden could have gone further ahead on two occasions when Martini, at full stretch, saved the day. In the second half, the French forward Vahirua was replaced by Pérez who, twelve minutes later, started the move which gave France the equalizer. After drawing the Swedish defense forward, Pérez aimed an angled cross toward Papin, who just beat the offside trap, nodded the ball forward and turned it into the corner of the Swedish net. After the French goal, both teams seemed to be content with a draw and the game finished 1-1.

GROUP STAGE
STADIUM: Malmö Stadion (Malmö) DATE: 11-06-1992 (20:15 h) ATTENDANCE: 26.385 REFEREE: John Blankenstein (NED) GOALS: -
		England - Denmark
		0-0 (0-0)
ENGLAND Woods Curle (Daley 62'), Keown, Walker, Pearce Platt, Steven, Palmer, Smith Lineker (c), Merson (Webb 71') COACH: Graham Taylor			DENMARK Schmeichel Sivebæk, Olsen (c), K. Nielsen Vilfort, Laudrup, Christofte, “Faxe” Jensen, Andersen Povlsen, Christensen COACH: Richard Møller Nielsen
GAME SUMMARY England were without five key players due to injury, and manager Graham Taylor was forced to change his usual sweeper system for a flat back-four. Without a single recognized right-back in the entire squad, Taylor drafted Keith Curle into this position and, despite his enthusiasm, he soon showed that he was not cut out to be a full-back as he struggled against Povlsen and Andersen. Meanwhile the English midfield, looking totally unsettled, fought well enough but never asserted any real control over a Danish team who, as the game progressed, began to pose more of a threat (particularly along the English right flank). However, it was England who came closest to scoring in the first half when Schmeichel saved well from Platt and Smith. After the break, Denmark took control of midfield as “Faxe” Jensen moved up a gear, and it was he who came closest to scoring in minute 61 when he beat Woods, but his angled shot struck the inside of the post and spun out. This Danish chance prompted Taylor to bring on a substitute, and he replaced the struggling Curle with a forward (Daley) and reorganized his back four. Daley was immediately into his stride, unsettling the Danish defense. Within a couple of minutes, he should have scored twice, but after receiving a caution he ran out of steam as the game wound down to a goalless draw.

GROUP STAGE
STADIUM: Nya Ullevi (Göteborg) DATE: 12-06-1992 (17:15 h) ATTENDANCE: 35.720 REFEREE: Bo Karlsson (SWE) GOALS: 1-0 (Bergkamp 75')
		Netherlands - Scotland
		1-0 (0-0)
NETHERLANDS Van Breukelen Van Aerle, Koeman, Van Tiggelen Rijkaard, Wouters (Jonk 54'), Gullit (c), Witschge Bergkamp (Winter 84'), Van Basten, Roy COACH: Rinus Michels			SCOTLAND Goram Gough (c), McKimmie, McPherson, Malpas McAllister, McStay, McCall, Durie McCoist (Gallacher 73'), McClair (Ferguson 78') COACH: Andy Roxburgh
GAME SUMMARY Widely regarded as the no-hopers of the group, Scotland had nothing to lose and, refusing to be overawed by Holland’s star-studded team, were determined to make a game of it. The Dutch, at full strength and playing their best football for years, attacked the robust Scottish defense throughout the first half, but never really looked as if they would break it down. With big Richard Gough suppressing Van Basten effectively, the Scots relied upon Stuart McCall to chase and harry the Dutch midfield and, alongside him, Paul McStay provided the drive and direction. Gullit was in fine form for Holland and provided some delightful crosses which Bergkamp failed to convert, but it was Rijkaard who came closest to scoring in minute 39 when Goram pushed his well-struck shot for a corner. After the interval, Wouters was replaced by Jonk and Scotland came more into the game as it progressed. The Scots, sensing that the Dutch were fading—Van Basten was completely stifled by Gough and Gullit was hardly touching the ball—, went onto the attack and McStay and Gough both came close to scoring. As the game entered the final quarter of an hour, Bergkamp struck Gullit’s corner into the Scottish net and the title holders breathed a sigh of relief. A more direct attacker as Ferguson replaced then McClair, but to no avail for Scotland, as the game ended 1-0.

GROUP STAGE
STADIUM: Idrottsparken (Norrköping) DATE: 12-06-1992 (20:15 h) ATTENDANCE: 17.410 REFEREE: Gérard Biguet (FRA) GOALS: 1-0 (Dobrovol’skij [p.] 64'); 1-1 (Häßler 90')
		CIS - Germany
		1-1 (0-0)
CIS Kharin Tsvejba, Chernyshov, O. Kuznetsov, Shalimov (Ivanov 82') Mikhajlichenko (c), Ljutyj (Onopko 46'), D. Kuznetsov, Kanchel’skis Kolyvanov, Dobrovol’skij COACH: Anatolij Byshovets			GERMANY Illgner Kohler, Binz, Buchwald, Brehme (c) Reuter (Klinsmann 64'), Häßler, Effenberg, Doll Riedle, Völler (Möller 46') COACH: Berti Vogts
GAME SUMMARY Germany were shaken by the standard of play of the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States, the name of the former Soviet Union after their disintegration and before the emergence of Russia and the different republics). The Germans attacked from the offset, but had little success against their rivals, whose naturally-defensive style of play soaked up their attacks without many problems. In a full-bloodied physical scrap, neither side shirked any tackles, and in minute 20 Völler suffered a broken arm in a collision with Oleg Kuznetsov but gamely played on until halftime. Germany had little to show for all of their pressure and the CIS (fielding Dobrovol’skij as their sole winger and Kolyvanov in a roaming attacking role) had them baffled with their unusual tactics. Indeed, whenever the CIS mounted an attack, they broke quickly with midfielders and defenders streaming up in support of their two attackers, and the German back four seemed to be in near panic every time. At halftime, Völler was replaced by midfielder Möller, an odd substitution as this left Germany with even less firepower and, not surprisingly, it was the CIS who took the lead in minute 64. Kanchel’skis put over a superb cross from the right wing and Reuter clumsily bundled Dobrovol’skij to the ground as he went for the ball. Dobrovol’skij scored the penalty himself and the German manager, Berti Vogts, responded by substituting Reuter immediately with striker Jürgen Klinsmann. On the brink of panic, Germany threw everything into the attack, lobbing a succession of high balls toward Klinsmann’s head, without any real success. In minute 75 the CIS came close to scoring a second when, mounting another of their lightning attacks, Dobrovol’skij’s center bounced back into play off the German bar. The CIS held off the German pressure without much difficulty until the final minute, when Klinsmann’s apparent dive on the edge of the Russian area earned the world champions a free kick. Häßler struck the ball round the wall and it curled into the net to the relief of Germany, who managed to salvage one point and stay alive in the competition.

GROUP STAGE
STADIUM: Malmö Stadion (Malmö) DATE: 14-06-1992 (17:15 h) ATTENDANCE: 26.535 REFEREE: Sándor Puhl (HUN) GOALS: -
		France - England
		0-0 (0-0)
FRANCE Martini Amorós (c), Blanc, Casoni, Boli Deschamps, Sauzée (Angloma 46'), Fernández (Pérez 75'), Durand Papin, Cantona COACH: Michel Platini			ENGLAND Woods Steven, Keown, Walker, Palmer, Pearce Sinton, Batty, Platt Lineker (c), Shearer COACH: Graham Taylor
GAME SUMMARY Fielding a defensive line-up, France seemed unwilling to enter the English half of the field, while England seemed incapable of breaking down the French defense. The resulting game was far from entertaining, and it was not until France were urged to attack by Platini that England posed any threat. Then, Shearer robbed Casoni on the English left-wing and raced for the French goal where, instead of passing to the supporting Lineker, he tried a shot which was turned away for a corner. As the first half progressed, France took control of midfield and began to put pressure on the English defense. Des Walker, given the task of controlling Papin, was in good form and at halftime the game was goalless. In the second half, the injured Sauzée was replaced by Angloma and his introduction unsettled the French midfield and almost led to a goal when Shearer headed a Sinton cross wide of the post. The French responded with an Angloma header which Sinton cleared off the line and, with a quarter of an hour left, Pérez replaced midfielder Fernández. A few minutes later, a squabble broke out in the English penalty area during which Pearce was head-butted for no apparent reason by the French full-back Boli, who got away with it and was not sent off. Almost immediately, England were awarded a free kick on the edge of the French penalty area, and Pearce came very close to scoring when his thunderous shot struck the bar. In the closing stages of the game, neither France nor England wanted to take risks and held on to a goalless draw which gave them a final chance to qualify in their last game against their Scandinavian rivals.

GROUP STAGE
STADIUM: Råsunda (Solna, Stockholm) DATE: 14-06-1992 (20:15 h) ATTENDANCE: 29.902 REFEREE: Aron Schmidhuber (GER) GOALS: 1-0 (Brolin 58')
		Sweden - Denmark
		1-0 (0-0)
SWEDEN Ravelli R. Nilsson, J. Eriksson, P. Andersson, Björklund Schwarz, Thern (c), Limpar (Erlingmark 90') Ingesson, Dahlin (Ekström 77'), Brolin COACH: Tommy Svensson			DENMARK Schmeichel Sivebæk, K. Nielsen, Olsen (c), Christofte, “Faxe” Jensen (Larsen 63') Vilfort, Andersen, Laudrup Christensen (Frank 51'), Povlsen COACH: Richard Møller Nielsen
GAME SUMMARY Sweden and Denmark played an open attacking game, which was like a breath of fresh air compared to the defensive deadlock arranged by France and England earlier in the day. The Swedes attacked from the offset, and in the opening minutes almost scored when Dahlin’s header flashed wide of the post. Piling on the pressure, the home side went close again when Dahlin, with only Schmeichel to beat, struck the ball over the bar. The Danes produced their best move of the game five minutes before halftime, when Povlsen and Sivebæk combined to feed Vilfort with a superb opening, but the ball bounced awkwardly and Ravelli was able to gather it without difficulty. Early in the second half, Denmark brought on Frank instead of attacker Bent Christensen, but it was Sweden who made the breakthrough when Thern threaded a delightful pass through the Danish defense, Dahlin latched onto the ball, beat Kent Nielsen and crossed to Brolin, who thumped it into the net. Not prepared to sit on their lead, the Swedes continued to attack the Danish goal and came close to scoring a second seven minutes later when Limpar’s shot was acrobatically saved by Schmeichel. Soon after, the Danes themselves went close through Frank, but just three minutes from the end Brolin should have scored a second when Olsen blocked his goalbound shot. The game finished 1-0, much to the delight of the home crowd, and this left all four countries in the group with a chance of reaching the semifinals in the last game.

GROUP STAGE
STADIUM: Idrottsparken (Norrköping) DATE: 15-06-1992 (17:15 h) ATTENDANCE: 17.638 REFEREE: Guy Goethals (BEL) GOALS: 0-1 (Riedle 29'); 0-2 (Effenberg 47')
		Scotland - Germany
		0-2 (0-1)
SCOTLAND Goram Malpas, Gough (c), McPherson, McStay McAllister, McCall, McKimmie, McClair Durie (Nevin 55'), McCoist (Gallacher 68') COACH: Andy Roxburgh			GERMANY Illgner Kohler, Binz, Buchwald, Brehme (c) Häßler, Effenberg, Möller, Sammer Riedle (Reuter 67' (Schulz 75')), Klinsmann COACH: Berti Vogts
GAME SUMMARY Scotland manager Andy Roxburgh fielded the same team that had come so close against Holland, whereas Berti Vogts fielded a more attacking side with Klinsmann and Riedle up front. In an open, flowing game, both teams seemed intent in the offensive, as first Scotland (through Gough) and then Germany threatened to score in the early stage of the game. Within the first ten minutes, Illgner had made three fine saves, and then both McAllister and McPherson had good strikes at goal. Scotland, unfortunate not to be in the lead, had a lucky escape when Klinsmann’s goalbound header struck Goram’s legs, but in minute 29 found themselves behind when the Scottish defense stood back from Klinsmann, allowing Riedle to thunder in on the blind side and struck an unstoppable shot low into the net. Undaunted by the goal, the Scots continued to take the play to Germany and went close on several occasions. Just two minutes into the second half, Germany struck again when a seemingly harmless cross from Effenberg was deflected by Malpas over the stranded Goram, who lost his footing and could only watch in dismay as the ball looped into the Scottish net. Scottland fought even harder than before and, when Durie was substituted by Nevin a few minutes later, began to give their opponents all sorts of problems, particularly during set-piece play. In minute 57, Gough had a header saved and Germany struggled to hold the aggressive Scots. Reuter was brought on in place of Riedle to bolster the German defense but, only seven minutes later, was injured in a clash of heads with McCall and was himself substituted by Schulz. Soon after, Buchwald was also forced to leave the field with a similar head wound and, for the last minutes, Germany were reduced to ten men. Scottland, despite coming close on several occasions, were held by the Germans, who somehow luckily earned an important win to keep them in contention.

GROUP STAGE
STADIUM: Nya Ullevi (Göteborg) DATE: 15-06-1992 (20:15 h) ATTENDANCE: 34.440 REFEREE: Peter Mikkelsen (DEN) GOALS: -
		Netherlands - CIS
		0-0 (0-0)
NETHERLANDS Van Breukelen Van Aerle, Koeman, Van Tiggelen Rijkaard, Wouters, Witschge, Gullit (c) (Van 't Schip 72') Bergkamp (Viscaal 80'), Van Basten, Roy COACH: Rinus Michels			CIS Kharin Chernyshov, O. Kuznetsov, Tsvejba Mikhajlichenko (c), Kanchel’skis, Alejnikov (D. Kuznetsov 57'), Onopko Yuran (Kir’jakov 65'), Kolyvanov, Dobrovol’skij COACH: Anatolij Byshovets
GAME SUMMARY Employing exactly the same tactics as worked so well against Germany, the CIS completely stifled the Dutch attack, who were denied the space they badly needed to pose a threat. Nonetheless, Holland did have two reasonable first-half chances, both as a result of Russian defensive errors. These—in the 10th minute when Bergkamp broke away and in the 38th minute when a Koeman free kick flashed wide—were all that Holland could muster and at halftime the game remained goalless. The CIS themselves posed no mean threat when they broke in numbers on two occasions in the first half, and after the break the game continued with more of the same cat-and-mouse play. In the second half, the CIS keeper Kharin was tested much more, and Rijkaard and Van Basten drew fine saves from him. Both sides played aggressively, as a result of which Alejnikov, Yuran, Gullit and Bergkamp all were substituted because of injury. Near the end, Van Basten headed into the CIS net, but his seemingly good goal was ruled offside by the linesman and the game ended 0-0.

GROUP STAGE
STADIUM: Råsunda (Solna, Stockholm) DATE: 17-06-1992 (20:15 h) ATTENDANCE: 30.126 REFEREE: José Rosa dos Santos (POR) GOALS: 0-1 (Platt 4'); 1-1 (J. Eriksson 51'); 2-1 (Brolin 82')
		Sweden - England
		2-1 (0-1)
SWEDEN Ravelli R. Nilsson, P. Andersson, J. Eriksson, Björklund Ingesson, Thern (c), Schwarz, Limpar (Ekström 46') Dahlin, Brolin COACH: Tommy Svensson			ENGLAND Woods Batty, Keown, Walker, Pearce Palmer, Webb, Platt, Sinton (Merson 76') Daley, Lineker (c) (Smith 62') COACH: Graham Taylor
GAME SUMMARY Sweden, needing just one point to be certain of qualifying, struggled in the first half after Platt had given England an early lead when he volleyed home a Lineker cross. The English controlled much of the play and Lineker, Sinton, Platt and Daley all went close to score a second. But the Swedes were also dangerous in the counterattack, and Brolin had two strong penalty appeals turned down before halftime. In the second half, Johnny Ekström replaced Limpar, and his presence put more pressure on the unsteady English defense as the game progressed. Just six minutes after the break, Jan Eriksson headed Sweden level from a corner kick and England, overrun at the back, struggled to stay in the game. Graham Taylor then seemingly misread the game when he replaced his most dangerous striker, Lineker, with Alan Smith, and from that moment on Sweden completely dominated the game and deservedly scored a winner through Brolin in minute 82, after playing a one-two with Dahlin.

GROUP STAGE
STADIUM: Malmö Stadion (Malmö) DATE: 17-06-1992 (20:15 h) ATTENDANCE: 25.763 REFEREE: Hubert Forstinger (AUT) GOALS: 0-1 (Larsen 8'); 1-1 (Papin 60'); 1-2 (Elstrup 78')
		France - Denmark
		1-2 (0-1)
FRANCE Martini Amorós (c), Boli, Blanc, Casoni Deschamps, Pérez (Cocard 79'), Durand, Vahirua (Fernández 46') Papin, Cantona COACH: Michel Platini			DENMARK Schmeichel Sivebæk, K. Nielsen (Piechnik 61'), Olsen (c), Christofte Andersen, “Faxe” Jensen, Laudrup (Elstrup 66'), Larsen Frank, Povlsen COACH: Richard Møller Nielsen
GAME SUMMARY Denmark took the lead with an early goal by Henrik Larsen and threatened to go further ahead as France had three players booked in a bad-tempered first half. After the interval, Platini brought on midfielder Fernández in place of attacker Vahirua—a strange move for a team 1-0 down and one which summed up the French attitude to the game. Nevertheless, it began to look as if it had paid off when Papin equalized on the hour; but, by then, Denmark were clearly in control of the game, and twelve minutes from the final whistle they deservedly scored the winner through Elstrup. France failed to qualify after a very disappointing tournament, and as a result Platini resigned as French coach.

GROUP STAGE
STADIUM: Nya Ullevi (Göteborg) DATE: 18-06-1992 (20:15 h) ATTENDANCE: 37.725 REFEREE: Pierluigi Pairetto (ITA) GOALS: 1-0 (Rijkaard 4'); 2-0 (Witschge 15'); 2-1 (Klinsmann 53'); 3-1 (Bergkamp 72')
		Netherlands - Germany
		3-1 (2-0)
NETHERLANDS Van Breukelen Van Tiggelen, Koeman, De Boer (Winter 67') Witschge, Rijkaard, Wouters, Gullit (c) Bergkamp (Bosz 89'), Van Basten, Roy COACH: Rinus Michels			GERMANY Illgner Brehme (c), Kohler, Binz (Sammer 46') Häßler, Effenberg, Helmer, Möller, Frontzeck Riedle (Doll 76'), Klinsmann COACH: Berti Vogts
GAME SUMMARY The Dutch fans made their feelings known before the game when they whistled and jeered the German national anthem so loudly that the Germans began to limber up before it had finished. As a result of their bruising encounter with Scotland, Germany were without both Buchwald and Reuter, and their combined absence left the German defense in tatters. In only the fourth minute, Van Basten was fouled by Kohler and Koeman’s lofted free kick was headed into the net by Rijkaard. After an escape in minute 8, Germany went further behind in the 15th minute when another free kick from Koeman allowed Witschge to struck a long low drive just inside the post. Holland completely dominated Germany and controlled the game so effectively that they could have had another two or three goals by halftime (Van Basten’s superb volley was denied by the crossbar). After the break, buoyed by the news that Scotland were 2-0 ahead of the CIS, Germany replaced Binz by Sammer and reorganized their struggling defense. Within eight minutes, the Germans had assumed the offensive and, through a Klinsmann’s header from a Buchwald’s corner, pulled one goal back. Frank de Boer found himself struggling against the aerial power of Klinsmann and Brehme, and Dutch manager Michels wisely reorganized his defense and brought Winter on in his place. From that moment on, the Dutch reassumed the upper hand and minutes later scored a third goal through a Bergkamp header (assisted by Winter) to coast to a 3-1 victory and clinch a semifinal place as group winners.

GROUP STAGE
STADIUM: Idrottsparken (Norrköping) DATE: 18-06-1992 (20:15 h) ATTENDANCE: 14.660 REFEREE: Kurt Röthlisberger (SWI) GOALS: 1-0 (McStay 7'); 2-0 (McClair 16'); 3-0 (McAllister [p.] 84')
		Scotland - CIS
		3-0 (2-0)
SCOTLAND Goram McKimmie, Gough (c), McPherson, McStay McCoist (McInally 65'), McCall, McAllister, Boyd McClair, Gallacher (Nevin 79') COACH: Andy Roxburgh			CIS Kharin Chernyshov, Tskhadadze, O. Kuznetsov, Kir’jakov (Korneev 46') Mikhajlichenko (c), Alejnikov (D. Kuznetsov 46'), Kanchel’skis, Onopko Dobrovol’skij, Yuran COACH: Anatolij Byshovets
GAME SUMMARY Scotland, who had deserved much more from their previous games against Holland and Germany, faced a jaded-looking CIS team, who didn’t seem to live up to the importance of the match. Adopting their usual ‘defend and break’ tactics, the CIS were unfortunate to go behind after only seven minutes through a McStay goal and, at this juncture, seemed to lack the imagination to get back into the game. Scotland, with nothing to win or to lose, pushed forward against the Russians and pressed their defense but, after scoring a second goal through McClair in the 16th minute, settled down to leave the attacking to their opponents. Unfamiliar with this role, the CIS created only a couple of half-chances which were not capitalized upon, and the scored remained 2-0 at halftime. After the interval, Anatolij Byshovets brought on two substitutes and, for a while, the CIS threatened to get back into the game, but this threat was effectively countered by the substitution of McCoist and Gallacher in Scotland. Then, in minute 84, the Scots scored a third goal when McAllister put away a penalty kick. The CIS had to settle for a 3-0 defeat, leaving Holland and Germany with the semifinal places in their group.

1/2 FINAL
STADIUM: Råsunda (Solna, Stockholm) DATE: 21-06-1992 (20:15 h) ATTENDANCE: 28.827 REFEREE: Tullio Lanese (ITA) GOALS: 0-1 (Häßler 11'); 0-2 (Riedle 59'); 1-2 (Brolin [p.] 64'); 1-3 (Riedle 88'); 2-3 (K. Andersson 89') BOOKED: Ljung (14’), Dahlin (72’) / Effenberg (3’), Riedle (29’), Buchwald (35’), Reuter (43’)
		Sweden - Germany
		2-3 (0-1)
SWEDEN Ravelli R. Nilsson, J. Eriksson, Björklund, Ljung K. Andersson, Thern (c), Ingesson, J. Nilsson (Limpar 60') Brolin, Dahlin (Ekström 73') COACH: Tommy Svensson			GERMANY Illgner Reuter, Buchwald, Helmer, Kohler, Brehme (c) Häßler, Effenberg, Sammer Klinsmann (Doll 89'), Riedle COACH: Berti Vogts
GAME SUMMARY In the first semifinal, the Germans knew they needed to play much better than in their previous games to defeat the in-form hosts. With both Buchwald and Reuter back in the team after recovering from the head wounds incurred during the game against Scotland, the German defense looked much steadier. Sweden, on the contrary, were without Patrik Andersson and Schwarz, who had been cautioned in two of the group games. The absence of the latter player, in particular, unbalanced the Swedish midfield. As in their match against England, Sweden went behind in the early stages, when Häßler’s free kick beat the defensive wall and surprised a static Ravelli, and were fortunate to hold the halftime score to just 1-0 down. After the interval, the hosts changed their formation to push the towering Kennet Andersson up into the attack, but the only real chance which he created was pushed over the bar by Illgner. Germany, somewhat against the run of play, went further ahead in minute 59 when Riedle was completely unmarked to score from a Sammer cross, and Sweden immediately brought on Limpar to replace Joakim Nilsson. Within five minutes, Sweden pulled a goal back when Helmer brought down Ingesson in the German box and Brolin converted the subsequent penalty. However, the hosts now made little progress against the steadfast German defense and, indeed, it was the German forwards who looked most threatening, even when Ekström was brought on in minute 73. Effenberg went close in minute 84, and just two minutes from the end Germany ensured victory when Riedle scored a simple goal from Helmer’s delightful through ball. A late goal by Kennet Andersson, who beat an excessively confident Illgner with a header, couldn’t deny the world champions their place in the final.

1/2 FINAL
STADIUM: Nya Ullevi (Göteborg) DATE: 22-06-1992 (20:15 h) ATTENDANCE: 37.450 REFEREE: Emilio Soriano Aladrén (SPA) GOALS: 0-1 (Larsen 5'); 1-1 (Bergkamp 23'); 1-2 (Larsen 33'); 2-2 (Rijkaard 86') BOOKED: Rijkaard (42’) / Andersen (15’) PK: 1-0 (Koeman); 1-1 (Larsen) / 1-1 (Van Basten [saved]); 1-2 (Povlsen) / 2-2 (Bergkamp); 2-3 (Elstrup) / 3-3 (Rijkaard); 3-4 (Vilfort) / 4-4 (Witschge); 4-5 (Christofte)
		Netherlands - Denmark
		2-2 (1-2;2-2) (pk: 4-5)
NETHERLANDS Van Breukelen Van Tiggelen, Koeman, De Boer (Kieft 46') Gullit (c), Rijkaard, Wouters, Witschge Bergkamp, Van Basten, Roy (Van 't Schip 115') COACH: Rinus Michels			DENMARK Schmeichel Sivebæk, Piechnik, Olsen(c), Christofte, Andersen (Christiansen 70') Vilfort, Laudrup (Elstrup 57'), Larsen, “Faxe” Jensen Povlsen COACH: Richard Møller Nielsen
GAME SUMMARY Holland, heavy favorites to retain their European crown, met Denmark in the second semifinal, and within five minutes found themselves trailing when Danish striker Brian Laudrup (playing his best game of the finals) beat his marker on the right and lofted a perfect center over Van Breukelen for Larsen to head a simple goal. The Dutch came back strongly, but found goalkeeper Schmeichel in excellent form. After a quarter of an hour, Henrik Andersen received his second booking of the series for a tackle on Gullit and was prevented from playing a hypothetical final. The Dutch never seriously threatened the Danish goal until minute 23, when Bergkamp finished off a move which had involved Wouters, Witschge and Rijkaard. Although this equalizer was much against the run of play, the Danes did not let it upset them and, within ten minutes, went back into the lead when Larsen struck Koeman’s poor clearance into the Dutch net. As halftime approached, Denmark maintained the upper hand and came closer to scoring than the Dutch. After halftime, Michels brought on a forward (Kieft) instead of a defender (Frank de Boer) and Holland went on to the attack. Although they spent most of the second half in the Danish section of the field, the Dutch created few opportunities and found themselves outplayed by the Danish midfield. In minute 70 Andersen suffered a serious knee injury and was substituted by Christiansen. The limping Sivebæk was forced to play on in the attack as the Danes had already used their other substitute when Elstrup replaced the injured Laudrup in the 57th minute. Still Holland had nothing to show for their pressure and it was not until four minutes from the end that they equalized when Rijkaard latched onto a loose ball in the area. As the game went into extra-time, the Dutch seemed certain to overcome the struggling Danes but, against the odds, Denmark held out to take the game to a penalty shoot-out. Then, after both sides had scored their opening shots, Van Basten (who had failed to score at all during the finals) had his kick saved by Schmeichel and, after the remaining players converted their penalties, Denmark, to everyone’s surprise, progressed to the final.

FINAL
STADIUM: Nya Ullevi (Göteborg) DATE: 26-06-1992 (20:15 h) ATTENDANCE: 37.800 REFEREE: Bruno Galler (SWI) GOALS: 1-0 (“Faxe” Jensen 18’); 2-0 (Vilfort 78’) BOOKED: Piechnik (32’) / Effenberg (35’), Häßler (39’), Reuter (55’), Doll (83’), Klinsmann (88’)
		Denmark - Germany
		2-0 (1-0)
DENMARK Schmeichel Sivebæk (Christiansen 66'), Piechnik, Olsen (c), K. Nielsen, Christofte “Faxe” Jensen, Larsen, Vilfort, Laudrup Povlsen COACH: Richard Møller Nielsen			GERMANY Illgner Reuter, Kohler, Helmer, Buchwald, Brehme (c) Häßler, Effenberg (Thom 80'), Sammer (Doll 46') Riedle, Klinsmann COACH: Berti Vogts
GAME SUMMARY When the underdogs, Denmark, faced the world champions, Germany, in the final at the New Ullevi stadium in Göteborg, few suspected the outcome of the match. Without their key player Henrik Andersen, who had been the team’s midfield powerhouse for the three group matches and most of the semifinal, Denmark were expected to struggle against the Germans. Indeed, Germany assumed the offensive right from the kick-off and began as if they meant to steamroll the surprise tournament finalists. As early as the 4th minute, Schmeichel was in action to snatch a cross off Klinsmann’s head, and a couple of minutes later Denmark had an escape when Christofte blocked a shot from Sammer. But then the Danes emerged from behind the barricades when Vilfort won a tussle with Brehme to send Povlsen clear on the left flank with a backheel, and the ball was laid back for “Faxe” Jensen to smash it high into the net from the edge of the area, despite Effenberg’s headlong dive into the path of the shot. Germany immediately reassumed the offensive and, minutes later, Schmeichel tipped away for a corner a goal-bound shot from Klinsmann. On the half-hour, Illgner was called into action twice within a minute, as the Danish fan’s chorus of “Auf Wiedersehen!” rang throughout the stadium, drowning the unusually quiet German supporters. As the Germans became increasingly anxious, first Effenberg and then Häßler were cautioned for bad tackles. Although the world champions continued to camp out in the Danish half of the field, they had little to show for all of their efforts other than an Effenberg shot which Schmeichel tipped over the bar seconds before the halftime whistle. After the interval, Germany restarted the game with Doll replacing Sammer in the midfield, and within a couple of minutes the former was involved in a scuffle with Povlsen after fouling “Faxe” Jensen. The German spoiling tactics continued and, in minute 55, Reuter was cautioned for yet another unnecessary foul. As the game progressed, Germany pressed Denmark continually, pinning them back in their own half of the field, but this pressure created few real chances other than a 73rd minute Klinsmann’s header which was acrobatically tipped over the bar by Schmeichel. However, with twelve minutes of the match remaining, it was Denmark who went further ahead when substitute Christiansen headed back a poorly cleared free kick and Vilfort brought the ball under control before shooting low past Illgner’s left hand. The Germans protested that Vilfort had controlled the ball with his hand (which he seemingly did), but their objections were brushed aside by the Swiss referee Mr. Galler, who was on Vilfort’s blind side. During the last twelve minutes of the game, the Germans went to pieces and collected two further yellow cards (Doll and Klinsmann), bringing their match total to five bookings. The score remained 2-0 to Denmark, whose win provided the greatest shock that the competition had ever known and a fitting climax to a splendid tournament.

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