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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Jamesgang
Good stuff there mate.
TSOAL
In your head do you feel what your not supposed to feel. I do.
Mary Jo at T in the Park. Nice :)
fourgreenfields,
I hope you are well pal.
delaneys dunky
What’s the plans for Derry in the autumn ?
Butseybhoy
Aye he’s doing good
Comes home every so often to see his mum and mess up my kitchen
He logs on here as londonbhoy 88 but not on a lot
Any recommendations for a good city centre,( Glasgow ), bar with a bit of atmosphere in which to watch the world cup final?
HT
Love n peace.
HH jamesgang
jamesgang
We are all fine here. Had a really busy couple of weeks plus my wee mum is on her last days I’m afraid, but we soldier on in hope. I hope you and your family are well and I will sign off now as we have lots to do tomorrow. Thanks for you comments, it means a lot to me. Take care and god bless. :-))
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
TCR
Naw, we are coming over to visit the Bisley Bhoy. :))
Jamesgang
well said .forgot its the 12th
changed days.
HailHail
tricoloured ribbon
Im fine mate , really enjoyed our chat at bobby’s hootenanny .
Couldn’t believe you knew some of my family .
Hope things are good with you , would be a pleasure to meet up with you again over a few beers.
HH
Hamiltontim
00:04 on
13 July, 2014
Macjay
We both know the money lenders are the very antithesis of meekness, then and noo :-)
——————————————————————————————————————–
Forced to agree.:-(
Butsybhoy
That is indeed progress. More power to the process of progress.
HH jamesgang
67h 48m to kick off…
Happy birthday to our very own OldTim have a great day pal God Bless x
FGF
A Derry Autumn hootenany. It is Petec’s idea. I am in.
bognor
will look out for him
hope u and the misses are good
delaneys dunky
Any idea on when ?
Happy 109th VERY OLD TIM
OldTim!
Happy birthday you young Tim you!
Jobo
Über, multi-talented.
Respect. Always. The Calvin Harris of CQN!
HH jamesgang
Let’s try that again from 23:56.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQlM59sDJVo
WeeFra
Glad to see you back on wee man. I’ll light a candle tomorrow for your mum.
thebhoyfromoz
I was in O’Neills in Merchant City for the France v Switzerland game and it was really busy with a great atmosphere.
minx
u on night shift lol
Calvin Harris sounds really like Duncan Bannatyne.
Ever seem them in the same room?
HH jamesgang
eddieinkirkmichael
Some people just never meet a stranger.
HH
Neustadt-Braw
Condolences on your loss.
YNWA
Old Tart67
Happy Easter ya wee sweetie!! :-)
Cheers HT, i plan to start off my night with a bit of dinner in the merchant city before taking in the game.
Offski if the boss is posting on here and elsewhere
Love
good night timland
.
HT
Thanks for that, will maybe give you a txt this week if that’s OK. How’s the Minx this weather. Seen you both on twitter earlier to yer mate. :-)
Oops, missed
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
HOOPY BIRTHDAY OLD TIM
HH
fourgreenfields
00:11 on 13 July, 2014
tricoloured ribbon
Im fine mate , really enjoyed our chat at bobby’s hootenanny .
Couldn’t believe you knew some of my family .
Hope things are good with you , would be a pleasure to meet up with you again over a few beers.
HH
……..
I have a DVD of Philomena’s son’s ordination.
You are more than welcome to have it pal.
You can get my e-mail address from Paul or I’ll bring it for you the next time we meet. No probs
beatbhoy
00:15 on
13 July, 2014
Let’s try that again from 23:56.
Thanks for repost you had me confused
Mind that’s easy to do
thebhoyfromoz
If you can get a table I’d head to Cafe Gandolfi.
I’ve got a Christening……then to the Brit Legion, followed by a WC final party!
WeeFra
We’re great mate lovely wee day out and about followed by a lovely meal at a local Italian.
Aye ‘oor mate’ is a mental case but huge in heart and spirit, bit like yoursel :-)
prestonpans bhoys dam justice for the 5
23:40 on 12 July, 2014
Hope it pissed down on the 6 counties today !
…………….
Lashing in the North West anyway,meaning their so called flagship parade in Limavady was a washout.
FGF
September weekend time, 20th. Thats Pete and my plan to visit the wee man in Doire.