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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NB
Keep the Faith Prayers offered.
Doc
lets make that one happen.
HH
Evening guys
Before the football starts I would just like to thank , VP , Paulo’sboots , BT and not least
The Barcamole for an enjoyable wee day at the Club . TBM I will give serious thought to your very kind offer and wish you and the missus all the best and safe journey home .
BTW is there an A&E on the island Lol ;)) take care bud .
For the irish lads
How funny is Apres Match?
Im in stitches here…
B-)
RWE
20:16 on 12 July, 2014
Big Nan
Thanks for sharing that story about Rev J.L. Cowie.
Sometimes it seems it’s like yon candle in the wind.
HH
………………………………
He was/is a good man.
By contrast the local priest was an ex-army padre. Career soldier from middle-class Edinburgh family and a real snob.
In fairness to him though he was (with the benefit of hindsight) shot away with the war horrors he had seen and would be a prime candidate for PTSD now.
All signed up !!
Post opened ! Now for Murrayfield !!
Hate the bloomin parking in Edinburgh aswel :(
Ah well as the old chant says
I’LL walk a million miles for one of yer goals oh C E L T I C !!!
My wife’s Gran was a Lochrie from Croy.
Toffeetim………how’s you and the family?
Weefrathetim
How are you , I’m looking for info on transport for the game at murryfield , three adults and two kids under six years old looking for space on a bus ( with a toilet ) leaving from Hamilton / larkhall any help with this would be greatly appreciated , cheers in advance :)
Aiden Bhoy
I am sure I new of a few who attended St Ninians High in Kirkie, in the late 50s early 60s.
Awerabest PJ
J’ai vem os rapazes do Brasil!
Whatever happens in the last 2 games of this memorable World Cup, there will be no better sight than 22 year old, 54 cap Neymar, WALKING from that Team Bus tonight.
PapaJ
Aye your right, ma mistake :-)
Doc, good man, now Aiden Bhoy, if you pass that petition around your family and friends well get all the required signatures, see post at 19.52.
Oh and I knew your wifes family were related to the Croy Bhoy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjZJUD9nDQw&feature=player_detailpage
PLAY LOUD
Cheers WITS HH
never forever wins in a canter.
Never forever hacked up!! Yeeee haaa!!
Cheers WITS cracking tip
W .I .T.S.
CHEERS
HH
What is the stars-YOU are the star!
What Is The Stars
many thanks, top tipping again !
wits. that’s the first part of my double up,have to wait until tomorrow for the other part to come in, T&Ts and your tips will be a very good lift for me.
Cowiebhoy
Will sign petition and pass on to friends and family.
Good mhan WITS
WITS
took it at 9/2 :))))
Thank you
Tks WITS
Much obliged
Brookie to hammer the bookie ramorra
What Is The Stars
Not normally a gambler but stuck a few pounds on your tip , cheers.
Marspapa
I’ll contact our bus guy and let you know. Hope you and the family are well. :-))
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
WITS – Top man HH
Cheers WITS
HH
Cowiebhoy
I am as well, as I will ever be, awe that fresh ORANGE & LEMONADE is taken its toll,overcome wae Vitamin C, it wis ma Mammys 88th Burthday yesterday, whit a Wummen, stul keepen me in check, hope all is well with you nand yours. away fur the Fitba
Awerabest PJ
WITS
Well done got it @6/1…………..
like Oldtim got double running with Colebrooke tomorrow – fingers X’d!
Holland to win: 2-1 or 3-2 Van P/ Oscar anytime?
H!H!
Well, the Brazilians seem to have recovered. The support is giving it big licks. Good for them.
I’ll add my thanks to WITS , good work mate .
HH
Ha Ha
Here we go again
Elfmeter
Thanks to WITS I forgot to add.. Much appreciated! That’s the first trip to murrayfield paid for next week..
Arjen Robben needs locking up
Well outside the box and should have been a red.