ON THIS DAY

Fixtures between Denmark and Sweden are generally amongst the most competitive of matches but the Euro 2004 group match in Portugal between the countries was seen by many as lacking any of that competitive nature. The evening of Tuesday 22nd June 2004 saw the four countries play their last matches in the Euro Group C – Denmark v Sweden and Italy v Bulgaria. The table before kick off had Sweden and Denmark equal top with 4 points and Italy third on two points. Italy were expected to beat Bulgaria (they did) which would have meant that Italy would qualify for the quarter-finals with a winner from the Denmark-Sweden match. But if Italy were to win and Sweden and Denmark were to draw 2-2 (or higher) then all three countries would be equal until it got to goals each of the three countries scored against each other – which would see Denmark and Sweden through. Worries were expressed about this possible permutation before kick off time but of course the Scandinavian rivals denied there would be any collusion. That looked to be the case when Denmark led 2-1 with 90 minutes almost up – then Sweden equalised! Plenty of headlines about match-fixing but no complaint was made and Denmark and Sweden progressed to the quarter-finals – where they both lost. 23 rd June

England showed that they can win a penalty shoot-out beating Spain 4-2 on penalties at Wembley to reach the Euro 96 semis. Four days later things were different…..

England bowed out of the Mexico World Cup at the quarter-final stage thanks to two memorable goals from Diego Maradona. The first was the infamous ‘Hand of God’ goal scored against Peter Shilton which he followed with one of the best individual goals ever seen at a World Cup. Gary Lineker scored one for England in the 2-1 defeat.

Scotland and the USSR drew their final group match at the 1982 World Cup finals in Spain 2-2 in the scorching heat of Malaga. That result saw Scotland pipped on goal difference by their opponents for a place in the next round but Scotland were to win a victory in doping control. John Robertson and a Russian player were required to provide an after-match sample but both being severely dehydrated needed to drink plenty of fluids before a sample could be given - and in those days it wasn't just soft drinks that were available to the players but alcohol as well. The Russian tried to match John Robertson drink for drink, but lost. He had to be carried out of doping control somewhat worse for wear singing White Christmas !