Celtic went into the home first leg of their European Cup semi-final against Dukla Prague at 1-1. Two second half goals from Willie Wallace added to Jimmy Johnstone’s opener were enough to ensure a British team would eventually reach the final of Europe’s premier tournament. The return leg finished goalless.
The clubs met 14 years later in the Feyenoord Tournament, when two first half goals from Murdo McLeod secured a 2-1 win. Since then, European football has been robbed of its meritocratic principles, which allowed talented clubs a route to the top, no matter how rich or poor their domestic TV contract was. Nowhere has been so brutally robbed as east/central Europe.
The 1960s-through-80s saw teams from Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania, Yugoslavia and Poland regularly dominate clubs from Scandinavia, south-eastern Europe, France, and occasionally, all comers. Eastern Europe remains one of the world’s most productive areas for developing talented footballers, but even the average ones are stolen for a pittance while still in their teens.
In the 60s, Dukla were a genuine leading light in the game, producing seven of the Czech team who collected runners-up medals to Pele’s Brazil in the 1962 World Cup, with peerless midfielder, Josef Masopust, picking up the European Player of the Year award that year. They would have fancied their chances against Celtic in ’67.
Where great tradition and sporting affection exists, so too does commercial opportunity. The people of east/central Europe just need to figure out how to harness it. Uefa are Europe’s maker of competitions. Their job is to establish the structures which allows great and successful sport to take place. A modern-day Jules Rimet is needed.
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Jobo Baldie
21:18 on
11 July, 2014
jamesgang – back in. Mrs Baldie’s proposed film was rubbish,,, ;-)
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Jobo…Don’t tell me they are still showing ‘ Last Tango jn Paris’ in ole EK ?
Turkey bhoy
Deila will be given no cash …he has to try and make players out of what he has
Austerity mixed with pusillanimous complicity …..road to perdition
Jobo
Wanted to check you were ok after the brutal golf event.heard you lost a milk tooth!!!
Be sure to play well in the green And on the greens tomorrow.
DD. Love music. Dinnae like crowds. Unless I’m at Celtic Park!
So waived them off and we then headed to house of Bruar and then dunkeld and did old people stuff!!!
HH jamesgang
Delaneys Dunky
21:15 on 11 July, 2014
Jamesgang
When Ryan left last night wi 10 fellow Tims to Balado. I felt a wee bit envious. My favourite band the noo, Chvrches are playing. Scotlands 2nd best to Biffy Clyro. :)
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Aidan really likes BC, I’ve never really listened to them, I think Aidan is well cool when it comes to music, especially as he loves any Bob Marley track that comes on. He overplays Oasis, IMO but hey who am I to Judge anyone when I still sing over the mike to Many Europeans, East and West such nonsense as this. :))))
Back to normal
Jamesgang
The crowd you love is oor crowd.
You are an integral part of that crowd. We are Celtic. We are blessed.
jamesgang
Friday 4th July 9pm to 11pm is a bit of a blur. But by noon the next day I was wide awake, with a full set of teeth and a set of prescription glasses that allowed me to drive home. But seriously not proud………..
Chvrches noo on BBC3
Scotlands finest.
the spirit of arthur lee
Just for you
http://youtu.be/Kqsa4AvzfHA
delaneys dunky
T in the park live on BBC 3
you might catch your fav group
HH
Oops
Sorry mate
HH
Jobo Baldie
21:30 on 11 July, 2014
jamesgang
Friday 4th July 9pm to 11pm is a bit of a blur. But by noon the next day I was wide awake, with a full set of teeth and a set of prescription glasses that allowed me to drive home. But seriously not proud………..
___________________________________
Sounds awesome.
Well Done Jobo, was it an acgr dram that done it. I don’t drink that stuff but it definitely does something, I’ll be having another the next time I see him, if he let’s me. I started potting balls in killer and giving wee cuddles to people I love but never show it enough.
FGF
Cheers
DD
HH to you my pal.
Jobo
Was at an international medical conference last year when an impromptu night on Estrella intervened and I awoke on the ensuite floor!
You’re a better Bhoy than me. Always!
KTF.
Jamesgang
WWW
Wan song? Feel cheated by beeb. ;)))
jamesgang –
your story (confession?) is uncomfortably reassuring!
delaneys dunky,
My Bhoy went to see Chvrches in Fremantle during last season, Martin Doherty ended the session saying that he was going to watch the Hoops on TV somewhere, I think that was the day we lost to Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup?
AR
Jobo
As you know I’d have been the soberest there, you behaved impeccably what I saw, and as usual, a total gentleman – and yes that was Taggsy ;)
hh
bjmac
Right was oot the back there with Shug the dug, and his new squeaky toy for his birthday, it’s a rubber chicken
Anyway
daughter walks oot, and shout
Hugo, stope choking the chicken
Poor wee dug :-)
cowiebhoy
Very good mate :-))
FGF
The dug didnae know where to look, daughter just walked back in nonchantly
That’s Ghirls for you :-)
Jobo
I then had to go to the Barcelona equivalent of the SEC and listen to medical lectures all day!
As I say, you’re the bhoy. And apols I was just going to quietly pull your leg!
HH jamesgang
IGC
If you are still lurking.
Thanks for the Nesta…now just as long as I remember to take one..or is it two..
bjmac –
fantastic to see you back posting, even if it took my own indiscretions to prompt you to post! You’re getting pretty close to being my role model!
bjmac
How are things with you mate ?
Jobo
Hahaha – you shouldn’t lower your standards to such an extent!!!! ;)
hh
bjmac
AR
Martin is a good bhoy.
Wee Lauren is wonderful.
Chvrches are magic.
Biffy, Biffy, Biffy feckin Clyro!
Fourgreenfields
I’m good mate, very busy work, just back from a short break to Alton Towers with my son. Had logged on to find out about the game earlier!
How are you?
hh
bjmac
bjmac
I’m fine mate , hope you had a good time with your son .
HH
BJMac
Have to say, think that Alton Towers is a superb theme park, bet you both enjoyed that wee trip :-)
Suarez to Barca for £75 million?!
A new challenge to get his teeth into.
HH!!
http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-28262019
George Clooney has clearly read the Nimmo Smith Report, the Craig Whyte & Charles Green transactions and the FTT & UTT transcripts.
“There is one constant when a person or company is caught doing something wrong,” his statement began: “The cover-up is always worse.”
Welcome to the world of Scottish Football.
SDM & Oldco – The cover up is always worse.
Tallybhoy
Lunacy, Barca are now just a capitalist club wi nae morals win wi any scum in your team mob.
Cowiebhoy
I agree, we’d been before and have the queues sussed, he was on The Smiler 7 times yesterday!!!! We had a great time.
hh
bj
Brogan Rogan Trevino and Hogan supports Oscar Knox, MacKenzie Furniss and anyone else who fights Neuroblastoma
19:38 on
11 July, 2014
Kano’s Ghirl wins at 25/1?????
Where is that bloody Richie with his info when we could all have slapped a tenner on the beast?
He can buy his own round next time I see him — mind you I will buy him one back.
Useless Bugger!
Richie is in his flat in Spain. he’s a bit low with a touch of colitis,He received a text that Kano’s girl was running,but he forgot to mention it as he was suffering from his colitis.
Preperations for tomorrow update.
Pleased to announce all flags and bunting up and Langloan in Coatbridge is covered in Green,White & gold :))))))
Preparations even :((
bjmac
Gooooooooooooood evening sir good to hear about your quality time with your boy :))))).
leftclicktic we are all neil lennon
What’s planned in Coatbridge ?