ON THIS DAY

On this day Switzerland met Ukraine at the last 16 stage of the 2006 World Cup Finals in Germany. It wasn’t one of those edge-of-seat cup-ties. One national newspaper reported that it was ‘ a game so dull that dishwater should take offence if ever mentioned in the same sentence as this horrorshow ’ But no, it’s not getting a mention here as the dullest match in World Cup history – Switzerland did record two ‘firsts’ in that match. Switzerland topped their group with two 2-0 wins and a 0-0 draw while against Ukraine they drew 0-0 – after extra time – before losing 3-0 on penalties. So they became the first country to be eliminated from the World Cup finals without conceding a goal in normal play and the first country not to score a goal in a World Cup finals penalty shoot-out. Sounds like records you would have thought England would hold!

Alan Shearer gave England a 3rd minute lead in the Euro 96 semi against Germany at Wembley but once again it was the Germans who progressed to the final after a penalty shoot-out. Gareth Southgate missed the crucial penalty.

Denmark beat Germany 2-0 to win the Euro 1992 Championships in Sweden. Denmark had been eliminated from the competition by finishing second to Yugoslavia in their qualifying group but a civil war in the Balkans had seen Yugoslavia replaced by the Danes in the finals. Many of their players were enjoying holidays on the beach when Denmark were awarded their place in the finals but they went on the win the championship defeating the reigning European and World champions on their way to the trophy.