GK: Ivo Viktor (Czechoslovakia) Viktor was the goalkeeper famously lobbed from the opposition half, but not beaten, by Pelé at the 1970 FIFA World Cup. At the 1976 UEFA European Championship the 34-year-old enjoyed the best week of his career. His performances against the Netherlands and even more so West Germany were the stuff of legend. After several telling saves, some bordering on the miraculous, he was voted into third place in the 1976 Ballon d'Or. Five times the Czechoslovakian Footballer of the Year, Viktor ended his career in 1977 with 63 caps.DF: Ján Pivarník (Czechoslovakia)
Tag: euro
Stars of UEFA EURO 2016: Robert Lewandowski
At a glanceFourth in the vote for 2015 FIFA Ballon d'Or, Robert Lewandowski undoubtedly holds a special place in the hearts of both Polish and German football fans. He made history earlier this season by coming off the bench to score five goals in nine minutes and set all manner of Bundesliga records. In fact, the 27-year-old has barely stopped hitting the back of the net ever since.EURO pedigreeLewandowski claimed the opening goal of UEFA EURO 2012, heading in powerfully for co-hosts Poland against Greece in Warsaw, though the tournament ultimately ended in disappointment. Poland failed to reach the knockout stage, with their star centre...
Snap shot: USSR’s victorious 1960 EURO squad
An impromptu picture on the steps of the Soviet Union's team hotel before their semi-final against Czechoslovakia in Marseille – the first game of the inaugural UEFA European Championship. The Soviets would return to their base victorious, though those celebrations paled into insignificance compared with what followed their final triumph against Yugoslavia four days later.1 Lev YashinThe only goalkeeper ever to win the Ballon d'Or. Yashin claimed it in 1963 after landing a sixth Soviet First League title with his one and only club, Dinamo Moskva. Always dressed in black, he was agile and imposing. The 1960 EURO contributed considerably to his legend and he w...
UEFA EURO 2016 teams meet in Paris
008 - Press conference to mark 100 days to goDelegations from the 24 participating national associations will gather in Paris on 2 and 3 March to discuss organisational matters linked to UEFA EURO 2016. The workshop will coincide with the milestone of 100 days to go until the event kicks off on 10 June 2016.The workshop will provide detailed information on subjects such as match organisation, transport, logistics, accommodation, safety and security, disciplinary matters and integrity, as well as marketing, communications and media. It will take place at the Pullman Hotel Tour Eiffel in the French capital.In parallel, UEFA and EURO 2016 SAS will hold a joint '100 days ...
Russia v Spain: Futsal EURO final preview
“I think in terms of psychology, we have the advantageSergei Skorovich, Russia coach”“Russia have very good players and those players can fill in for the suspended Eder LimaJosé Venancio López, Spain coach”The UEFA Futsal EURO 2016 final is between Russia and Spain, just as in 1996, 1999, 2005 and 2012, and all the signs are for another epic enc...
Futsal EURO 2016: what you need to know
1: How does the tournament work?There are 12 teams playing at Arena Belgrade between today and 13 February: hosts Serbia and the 11 qualifiers including holders Italy and debutants Kazakhstan. They are split into four groups of three, playing over the next six days, with the top two in each progressing to the quarter-finals, from when it is straight knockout.2: Who are the favourites?Only three nations have won this competition: Spain (1996, 2001, 2005, 2007, 2010, 2012), Russia (1999) and Italy (2003, 2014). That trio are again the teams to beat, with Spain on a 22-match winning streak since their reign ended with a semi-final l...
UEFA Futsal EURO team profile: Czech Republic
Being drawn against holders Italy and talented Azerbaijan in Group D is not the easiest prospect for the Czech Republic but they can take heart from their greatest UEFA Futsal EURO performance in 2010.On that occasion, having scraped into the quarter-finals with a last-gasp 6-5 win over hosts Hungary, the Czechs were outsiders against Italy yet prevailed on penalties after a 3-3 draw, thus reaching the semis for only the second time after 2003. Although Spain then beat Tomáš Neumann's side, the Czech Republic promptly overcame Azerbaijan for bronze.The Czechs had reached their first final tournament, under Michal Stříž, at UEFA Futsal EURO 2001 and subsequently have nev...