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History of the European Championships

 
 

 

1980

Hosts: Italy
Winners: Germany

Horst Hrubesch headed Germany to a second European Championships title, though surprise finalists Belgium pushed them close in the final.

The game looked set for extra-time after Hrubesch's 10th-minute opener was cancelled out by Rene Vandereycken's penalty with 11 minutes remaining.

But with 90 seconds left, Hrubesch headed in the winner of a tournament noted for defensive play, poor attendances and crowd trouble.

Eight teams took part in an expanded tournament, Italy qualifying automatically as hosts, with the winners of two groups meeting in the final.

Germany made sure of progress from their group with a thrilling 3-2 win over Holland.

They led 3-0 thanks to a Klaus Allofs hat-trick, but Nicholaas Rep put away a penalty with 11 minutes to play and Willy van de Kerkhof pulled another back six minutes later, but Germany just held on.

Fewer than 5,000 watched the Group A game between Greece and Czechoslovakia, though the Czechs scored enough to ensure they made second place on goal difference ahead of the Dutch.

England's Group B clash with Belgium, a 1-1 draw in Turin, was marred when police used tear gas in an attempt to quell a riotous crowd, but the teams were forced off close to half-time.

They were joined in the group by Italy and Spain, each struggling for goals, but the hosts - thanks to a 1-0 win over England - faced Belgium in the group decider.
Yet Italy again drew a blank, and unfancied Belgium progressed.

 

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