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.
1,546 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- ...
- 41
- »
Pitch doesn’t too good. Stokes in particular seems to be having a great deal of trouble controlling the ball.
Good build up play poor final ball from Matthews
Roof Roof
petec
17:50 on
11 July, 2014
They are nice windows in those houses.
————————
That’s a rerr veranda for watchin the gemme.
Ball clears house ans away down main street !!
The hooses look awfae nice.
Rwe @ 17:46……. Must be Huns then :>)
Free_Dubček_CSC
Vinny
A McDonalds advertisement.
Grrrrrrr
Great quote from George Clooney today about the Daily Mail’s fabricated story about him and his fiancée.
“There is one constant when a person or company is caught doing something wrong,” his statement began: “The cover-up is always worse.”
He has obviously read today’s Record as well then.
Big George is a Tim CSC
voguepunter,
What do you make of that building behind The Wall?
wtf?
;))
Poor poor cross from Izzie, after good leading up work from a couple of players.
voguepunter
It’s on the GeekiToupee channel?
Are aw thae supporters staunin?
petec
17:56 on
11 July, 2014
voguepunter,
What do you make of that building behind The Wall?
wtf?
—–
And there was thinking “thon wall” came down on the night of 9th November 1989.
Is this Dukla’s training ground maybe?
Another overhit Izzy cross
petec
17:56 on
11 July, 2014
voguepunter,
What do you make of that building behind The Wall?
—————————————————————
Looks like a thatched roof with solar panels….that’ll no catch on…catch light aye.
Passes are too slow or they’re lightning quick.
A few of our players have just narrowly avoided get crunched as they try to pass while under pressure.
Cut the grass CSC
How thatched is your roof.
How deep is your love.
Times like this you miss Archie Mcpherson..
….on 2nd thoughts…..
Fairly poor show so far. Izzi,s got to work on his crossing. Nae flair in this team so far Hail Hail Hebcelt
Greeninbingley
17:57 on
11 July, 2014
voguepunter
It’s on the GeekiToupee channel?
—————————————–
That’s the very one,my good mhan.
Syd Negakev
17:58 on 11 July, 2014
Is this Dukla’s training ground maybe?
No, the game’s in Austria!
Petec
On reflection, Olde stays. :)
When you see the young man play, you will join the Kojo & DD, Paul McMullan fan club.
WOOOOOOW, a shocking push.
The natives are LMAO, restless.
We need a spark to light the game up, might catch wan, aff the thatched roof the Vogue bhoy is yacking on about!
Love n kisses CSC
HT. Though how anyone can tell I don’t know
HT 0-0
What kind of a game has Derk had?
HT ‘entertainment’ for ‘fans’ of Hunyiga.
One of his ‘heroes’, and it’s not the ‘diver’ in the Barcelona shirt.
http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=goicoechea%20tackle%20on%20maradona&source=web&cd=3&ved=0CCQQtwIwAg&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D08SI2DWnfL4&ei=JRTAU7OGBK2y7AbZ-IGIAw&usg=AFQjCNFP5uSbbg6w7x2PyPkCdZSMBxjJ8w&bvm=bv.70810081,d.ZGU
If you can watch that ‘Camera Work’ for 90 mins you’re a better man than I am.
Gunga Din CSC
now that I’m up to scratch wae the surroundings…..,,,,
How’s this bliddy game going!
V
Celtic dominating possession but creating no chances against a massed defence. Dukla have had more chances on the break. No outstanding performances. Virgil good as usual, O’Connell looks promising.
Istanbulcelt
OK, that explains it, thanks!
I hope they know what “Can we have our ball back please” is in Austrian then.
SV ******* Stadion
Advertising hoarding across the name of the club.
:o)
HT video is from Barrowfield where San Diego soccer team training there.
I love the way they transfer the video footage from mobile phone to mobile phone, so effortlessly.
Sky, ye can Ram (and it is obvious the Ram is the inspiration behind, welll….) it, this is a lot more like being there.
San Diego Football Academy.
Part of our USA academy.