The match started with a bang and more bangs would follow. As the game progressed, both sides began to neglect their defensive duties for sheer attacking drive. Played at breakneck speed, the drama at both ends of the field was immense. By the end of the game, both sides had attempted nearly 40 shots. An absolute classic match that’s a real joy to watch in its full form.

Greece might have won the tournament with a series of dull 1-0 victories, they certainly weren’t the best team in Europe at the time. In 2004, that honour belonged to the Czech Republic. Featuring stars like Nedved, Koller, Rosicky and Poborsky, and one day fly Milan Baros, they played superb attacking football and were ready to emulate their Euro success from 1976.

The Dutch, in contrast, were struggling. They could still field many of the stars from the 1998-2000 era, but time hadn’t been kind to the aging Stam, De Boer, Cocu and Davids. Holland had played a disappointing 1-1 draw against Germany, and needed a win now. Coach Dick Advocaat decided it was time to unleash the talented dribbler Arjen Robben onto the international scene – with devastating effect.

Line-ups:

Holland
Van der Sar – Heitinga, Stam, Bouma, Van Bronckhorst – Cocu, Davids, Seedorf – Robben, Van Nistelrooy, Van der Meyde
Coach: Dick Advocaat

Czech Republic
Cech – Grygera, Ujfalasi, Jiranek, Jankulovksi – Galasek, Poborsky, Rosicky, Nedved – Baros, Koller
Coach: Karel Bruckner

Download links

https://rapidshare.com/files/3622846459/2004_Euro_-_Oranje_x_Czech_HL_-_4Dfoot.com.avi

That’s how Johan Cruyff once described Ruud van Nistelrooy. An accurate description, perhaps. But also a humiliating one. At least that’s how Ruud himself perceived it. He had always wanted to be more than ‘just’ a finisher. He repeatedly insisted that he could do more than ‘just’ score goals. Opinions were divided. The debate that ensued perfectly highlighted the remarkable role in soccer of the ‘goalscorer’.

Superficially, soccer is about scoring goals. The man who scores the winning goal is the star of the night. TV-commentators will shout his name. Fans inside the stadium will dedicate their songs to him. His image will grace next morning’s newspapers.

But behind that facade of attention and stardom, there’s something missing. And even the greatest of goalscorers know it. Like Van Nistelrooy, they crave to be seen as more than just a goal poacher. To be valued for more than just tapping a ball over the line.

Football connoisseurs often view goalscorers with a hint of disdain. “Oh, all he can do is finish. He’s not a real footballer.” These experts then proceed to praise the true masters over the ball. The masterminds. The geniuses. The artists. Those, they claim, are the real footballers. That some of the greatest of these ‘artists’ – Cruyff, Socrates – have been denied World Cup glory because of the brutal efficiency of poachers like Gerd Müller and Paolo Rossi, only heightens the loathing many feel for the ‘finisher’.

The conflict between the artist and the finisher is essentially a subset of the eternal struggle between those who love football as an art, and those who primarily look at results. If you’re in the latter category, Van Nistelrooy’s 382 goals leave no room for doubt: he was a brilliant player. For those in the former group – watch the following video and ask yourself if there’s not beauty to be found in many of these wonderful finishes.

The rise of Özil, Müller and Götze is often represented as a break with Germany’s traditional brand of football. Suddenly the masters of hard work, discipline and ruthless effiency have added skill, creativity and flair to their side.

The reality is that such qualities have always been part of Germany’s greatest teams. This fact is best demonstrated by the 1972 side that, among others, demolished England at Wembley. With Franz Beckenbauer as the undisputed leader, Paul Breitner as the marauding left back, Günter Netzer as the brilliant playmaker and Gerd Müller as the lethal finisher, few at the time could hope to match this German soccer team in any aspect of the game.

But at the height of the Cold War, there was no more fearsome opponent in Europe than the Soviets and their mysterious, mathematical approach to football.

Line-ups:

West-Germany
Maier – Höttges, Schwarzenbeck, Beckenbauer, Breitner – Wimmer, Hoeness, Netzer – Heynckes, Müller, Kremer
Coach: Helmut Schön

USSR
Rudakov – Dzodzuashvili, Khurtsilava, Kaplichny, Istomin – Konkov, Troshkin, Kolotov – Baidachny, Banishevsky, Onishchenko
Coach: Aleksandr Ponomarev

Download links:

https://rapidshare.com/files/3053250548/1972_Euro_-_West_Germany_x_USSR_4Dfoot.com.avi

Michels’ statement reflects the hatred that the Dutch felt for the Germans at the time. The memory of the Second World War still loomed over Dutch society, and the trauma of the 1974 World Cup final had never healed. Since that epic defeat the Dutch had played against the Germans again and again, always insisting that this time, revenge would be exacted. But they just could not beat those Germans. Those diving, cheating, defensive and lucky Germans, as they saw it.

But maybe this time would be different. After the generation of the 70′s, Holland had fallen from grace as a power in international football. They’d missed the 1982 and 1986 World Cup. But with a new generation of great footballers – Rijkaard, Gullit, Koeman, Van Basten – they’d made their way into Euro 1988. A tournament held in Germany. And after stumbling through the group phase, they were now faced with West-Germany itself. The time to finally settle the score had arrived.

But they’d have to defeat an excellent opponent. The Germany of the mid 80′s had been average at best, despite excellent results, but a new crop of world class players was emerging: Matthaus, Voller, Brehme, Klinsmann. Coached by Franz Beckenbauer – captain of 1974, they’d do anything in their power to once again destroy the Dutch on German soil.

Line-ups:

West-Germany
Immel – Herget, Kohler, Borowka, Brehme – Matthäus, Rolff, Thon, Mill – Klinsmann, Völler
Coach: Franz Beckenbauer

Holland
Van Breukelen – Van Aerle, R. Koeman, Rijkaard, Van Tiggelen – Wouters, Mühren, Vanenburg, E. Koeman – Gullit, Van Basten.
Coach: Rinus Michels

Download Link

https://rapidshare.com/files/3792610389/1988_Euro_-_Oranje_-_West_Germany_HL_4Dfoot.com.avi

The Netherlands. In the last six years, England had played five matches against Holland. And won zero. Would this time be any different?

The Dutch had gone into the tournament as favourites. Ajax had dominated European football for the previous two seasons with a predominantly Dutch side starring the likes of Van der Sar, Blind, Bogarde, De Boer bros, Davids, Overmars and Kluivert. To that talent, national coach Guus Hiddink could add players such as Jaap Stam, Clarence Seedorf and Dennis Bergkamp. But there was one problem. Racial tensions that had originated within the Ajax team had carried over into the national squad. Edgar Davids had been sent home after famously accusing Hiddink of ‘putting his head into the a$$ of other players’. It was against this backdrop that the Dutch faced a supremely motivated England.

Line-ups:

England
Seaman – Pearce, Adams, Southgate, Neville – Anderton, Ince, Gascoigne, McManaman – Sheringham, Shearer
coach: Terry Venables

Holland
Van der Sar – Bogarde, Blind Reiziger – Witschge, Winter, Seedorf, Ronald de Boer – Hoekstra, Bergkamp, Jordi Cruyff
Coach: Guus Hiddink

Download links:
https://rapidshare.com/files/1909501014/1996_Euro_-_Oranje_x_England_HL_4Dfoot.com.avi

Portugal had certainly been impressive in the group phase. They had remained unbeaten, conceding only one goal after 270 minutes of play against West-Germany, Spain and Romania.

But could they now also stop Platini’s rampant France? Unquestionably the best European football nation in those days, France had won all its group matches, with Platini scoring an incredible number of six goals in three games. Could he and his fellow members of Le Carré Magique (Tigana, Fernandez, Giresse, Platini) destroy Portugal’s defense?

Line-ups:

France
Bats – Battiston, Bossis, Le Roux, Domerque – Fernandez, Tigana, Giresse, Platini – Lacombe, Six
Coach: Michel Hidalgo

Portugal
Bento – Pinto, Perreira, Gomes, Magalhaesm, Frasco, Sousa, Pachecho, Chalana, Diamintino, Rui Jordão
Coach: Fernando Cabrita

Download link for France vs Portugal 1984

https://rapidshare.com/files/659354145/1984_Euro_France_x_Portugal_HL_4Dfoot.com.avi

All that changed in summer of 1998. In June and July of that year, the French won the World Cup. On home soil. Football’s status in France received a major boost.

It’s only logical then that much of 1998′s team will feature in a France All-Time Best XI. But there have been two other excellent French generations. The one from the 50′s with Kopa and Fontaine, for instance. And, of course, the one in the 80′s with the Carré Magicque starring Platini. And we shouldn’t forget players from other era’s: Cantona, Ginola, Papin, Pires, Ribery, Makelele and others – all of whom were genuine world class.

The formation chosen is a 4-2-3-1 to suit France’s best three players of all time. Click the link to see the team.

Goalkeeper ~ Fabien Barthez

Not exactly Mr. Reliable, as many Man United fans would surely agree, but Fabien Barthez had his moments. The best of which came while guarding the goal of Les Bleus. Thanks to his saves and celebrations, Barthez became somewhat of an iconic figure for the ultra successful 1998 and 2000 France side. Besides, there isn’t much competition. Joel Bats, the ‘keeper in Hidalgo’s era, was hardly the best goalie in the world either.

Right back ~ Liliam Thuram

France may not have had the best goalkeeper in history, but it certainly had one of the best right backs the game has ever seen. Lilian Thuram had everything anyone would want in a modern right back. Stamina. Power. Speed. And unlike many of today’s best side backs – Thuram was actually an excellent defender. Moreover, Thuram completed an astounding 142 games for France. Manuel Amoros can’t complain about being benched.

Right central defender ~ Marcel Desailly

Desailly was born in Ghana to a Ghanese woman, but due to his father’s French nationality, young Marcel acquired a French passport as well. The French must still be grateful for this stroke of coincidence. Desailly played a crucial part in that unconquerable defense of France ’98. Powerful, but also capable enough on the ball that he regualrly played in midfield for AC Milan. Desailly remains one of the few players who was a sesation in both the Italian Serie A and the English Premier League. His 116 caps aren’t too shabby either. Marius Tresor is the reserve.

Left central defender ~ Laurent Blanc

Laurent Blanc, with his 192 cm, nearly matched Thuram and Desailly in terms of physical power, but along with that, had the vision and leadership befitting a libero. Played 97 games for France, many of them as captain. Scored the golden goalin the 1998 quarter-final against Paraguay. Comfortably surpasses the 50′s star Jonquet.

Left back ~ Patrice Evra

The only man in defense not from the glorious 1998 team. Evra, after the fiasco of the 2010 World Cup, may not be the most popular player in France nowadays, but looking at his consistent contributions at club level over the past decade, it’s hard to deny him this spot. Takes the nodge over Bixente Lizerazu.

Right defensive midfielder ~ Patrick Vieira

The defensive midfield positions are, by far, the toughest ones to fill. In some ways, it’s hard to argue with Didier Deschamps. He was the captain of the 1998 team and completed over a 100 caps. But then what to do with Vieira, Arsenal’s supreme leader? Makelele, the anchor man of Madrid and Chelsea? What to do with those fabulous members of the Magic midfield from the 1980′s like Luis Ferdandez or Jean Tigana? Considering that Deschamps was, as Cantona once described him, a ‘water-carrier’ at best – and the same can be said of Makekele and Fernandez – my picks for these spots are Vieira and Tigana. Both were excellent in defense, but also had plenty of offensive abilities. Vieira had his power and his inspirational drive forward. Tigana had his technique and vision.

Left defensive midfielder – Jean Tigana

See previous comment.

Left attacking midfielder ~ Zinedine Zidane

A wizard with the ball. Unmatched by perhaps any player in history when it comes to sheer control over the ball in any situation. Despite his heavy built and lack of explosive speed, Zidane managed to beat defenders again and again simply by using their speed against themselves. Similar, in a sense, to a martial artist master. David Ginola has flair in his own right, but he can’t compare to Zizou.

Central attacking midfielder ~ Michel Platini

Zidane or Platini? The  debate in France still rages. Zidane takes the crown in terms of ball control, but Platini had leadership and superior goal-scoring ability – most notably via his legendary free kicks. But whoever of these two you prefer, it’s clear that both warrant a place in this XI. No further comment necesarry.

Right attacking midfielder ~ Raymond Kopa

Europe’s best player from the late 1950′s can’t be absent from this list. Unquestionably the best French player in history until Platini and Zidane emerged to contest that throne. Kopa was a man of creativity, daring, dribbling, assists and goals. It’s a shame that Kopa has become somewhat of a forgotten figure compared to his inferior (but more prolific) teammate Just Fontaine. Better than Robert Pires, for sure.

Striker ~ Thierry Henry

That Thierry Henry has never won a Ballon d’Or remains a regrettable fact. But, as one Greek philosopher once stated,  it’s better that people ask why you don’t have a statue, than why you do have one. Henry, perhaps never shone for France the way he did for Arsenal, but there’s no disputing the man’s talent. In fact, that his 123 caps and 51 goals for France are seen as ‘disappointing’ by some only demonstrates how highly he was regarded in his prime. With his speed, touch, and taste for goals, Henry will be a threat to any defense. Just Fontaine is the reserve.

France All-Time Best XI

Reserve Team

Once the tournament began, however, some of Brazil’s shortcomings were exposed. Ronaldo and Adriano looked stale and overweight. Roberto Carlos and Cafu were no longer the dynamo’s on the flanks they once had been. Brazil as a whole were quite a bit more sluggish than all the Joga Bonito adverts had promised. But they did, at least, win their games. The same couldn’t be said of France, which had played poor football in the groups, and who were lucky to even be in the KO stages.

But for all that, France still had Henry, Vieira. And Zidane. The one who slaughtered Brazil in 1998. Could he rise to the occassion and do it again?

Line-Ups:

Brazil
Dida – Cafu, Lucio, Juan, Roberto Carlos – Juninho, Gilberto Silva, Ze Roberto, Kaka, Ronaldinho – Ronaldo
Coach: Carlos Alberto Parreira

France
Barthez – Sagnol, Thuram, Gallas, Abidal – Ribery, Makelele, Vieira, Zidane, Malouda – Henry
Coach: Raymond Domenech

Download Links
First half
Second half

This was, essentially, the semi-final of the 1978 World Cup. The winner of this game would go on to face Argentina in the final.

Holland weren’t as good as in 1974. Without the two main architects of that glorious side – Cruyff and Van Hanegem – the Dutch were considerably less brilliant. Less spectacular. Less innovative. But they were still a quality side. The absence of the dominating figures of Cruyff and Van Hanegem allowed room for others – Krol and Rensenbrink, most notably – to carve out a genuine reputation of excellence for themselves.

Italy had been completely absent from the 1974 competition, but they bounced back in style in 1978, with a strong, cohesive team featuring nine (!) Juventus players. This match could definitely go both ways.

Holland
Schrijvers – Poortvliet, Krol, Brandts, W. van de Kerkhof – Jansen, Haan, Neeskens – R. van de Kerkhof, Rep, Rensenbrink
Coach: Ernst Happel

Italy
Zoff – Cabrini, Cuccureddu, Scirea, Gentile – Benetti, Tardelli, Zaccarelli, Causio – Bettega, Rossi
Coach: Enzo Bearzot

Download Links
https://rapidshare.com/files/4052599078/1978_-_Holland_v_Italy_-_1.mkv
https://rapidshare.com/files/2458158829/1978_-_Holland_v_Italy_-_2.mkv