Scotland at the Euros - A Retrospective

[Guest TheJTS98]

Euros #3 on the horizon, so why not take a look back at our previous efforts.

Who's old enough to remember both of our previous punts at it?

Euro 92

A tough draw, Germany (World Champions), Holland (European Champions) and the CIS (Euro 88 runners-up in all but name).

Game 1 - Holland 0-1

A bright start against a side containing Rijkard, Gullit, Koeman, Van Basten, Bergkamp, and Van Breukelen, but unfortunately our best chance falls to Dave McPherson. Became a bit backs to the wall and our lack of firepower put us under pressure, but ultimately only went down to a late-ish goal at a time when the Dutch looked to have run out of ideas.

Game 2 - Germany 0-2

Sucker-punched after a bright opening against a really good side. Again, unlucky in our best chances falling to defenders. Second goal for the Germans an unfortunate deflection. A good effort and no shame in it. Could easily have had a result here.

Game 3 - CIS 3-0

An absolute belter of a win against a good side who still had a chance of making the semis. They had qualified ahead of Italy, and had been leading the Germans in injury time and drew with the Dutch, and we were the only side to beat them in the whole process from qualification to the finals. A serious result.

Overall, a pretty decent effort in a tough group. If we'd got the breaks against the Germans, who knows? And, if we'd been in the other group (which was utter dugshite), I think we'd have made the semis. Perhaps could have showed more ambition in the first game, but top marks that aside. Paul McStay had a good tournament and Gary McAllister's bursting runs were fun.

 

Euro 96

Game  1 - Holland 0-0

Pretty backs-to-the-wall and a good point well earned. Maybe a bit lucky to get away with this, but in the context of England not looking great, it was a good point and left us looking ok.

Game 2 - Cancelled

Game 3 - Switzerland 1-0

No idea how we only won this 1-0. At the time an immensely frustrating night, and on re-watching it gets worse. You lose count of the chances and it's a tough watch knowing that we only needed one more goal. If we'd scored one more, we'd have had more or less a home game at Anfield against France in the quarters. Who knows?

Overall, let down by UEFA only allowing us to play two games in the group stages. Had we played three like the other teams, I think we'd have gone through.

 

Did anybody attend these previous efforts? I was an ever-present at the home Euro 96 qualifiers and am still raging that my dad, uncle, and cousin went to Villa Park for the Holland game without me.  Any particular memories or views on performances? Am I remembering any of it wrongly?

Edited April 4, 2021 by TheJTS98

[HalfCutNinja]

Goram was fuckin brilliant against the Dutch in 96, but the best save of the match was pulled off by John Collins.  Who turned out to be an absolute fanny but was an utter baller all the same. 

[Ian38018]

2 hours ago, TheJTS98 said:

Euros #3 on the horizon, so why not take a look back at our previous efforts.

Who's old enough to remember both of our previous punts at it?

Euro 92

A tough draw, Germany (World Champions), Holland (European Champions) and the CIS (Euro 88 runners-up in all but name).

Game 1 - Holland 0-1

A bright start against a side containing Rijkard, Gullit, Koeman, Van Basten, Bergkamp, and Van Breukelen, but unfortunately our best chance falls to Dave McPherson. Became a bit backs to the wall and our lack of firepower put us under pressure, but ultimately only went down to a late-ish goal at a time when the Dutch looked to have run out of ideas.

Game 2 - Germany 0-2

Sucker-punched after a bright opening against a really good side. Again, unlucky in our best chances falling to defenders. Second goal for the Germans an unfortunate deflection. A good effort and no shame in it. Could easily have had a result here.

Game 3 - CIS 3-0

An absolute belter of a win against a good side who still had a chance of making the semis. They had qualified ahead of Italy, and had been leading the Germans in injury time and drew with the Dutch, and we were the only side to beat them in the whole process from qualification to the finals. A serious result.

Overall, a pretty decent effort in a tough group. If we'd got the breaks against the Germans, who knows? And, if we'd been in the other group (which was utter dugshite), I think we'd have made the semis. Perhaps could have showed more ambition in the first game, but top marks that aside. Paul McStay had a good tournament and Gary McAllister's bursting runs were fun.

 

Euro 96

Game  1 - Holland 0-0

Pretty backs-to-the-wall and a good point well earned. Maybe a bit lucky to get away with this, but in the context of England not looking great, it was a good point and left us looking ok.

Game 2 - Cancelled

Game 3 - Switzerland 1-0

No idea how we only won this 1-0. At the time an immensely frustrating night, and on re-watching it gets worse. You lose count of the chances and it's a tough watch knowing that we only needed one more goal. If we'd scored one more, we'd have had more or less a home game at Anfield against France in the quarters. Who knows?

Overall, let down by UEFA only allowing us to play two games in the group stages. Had we played three like the other teams, I think we'd have gone through.

 

Did anybody attend these previous efforts? I was an ever-present at the home Euro 96 qualifiers and am still raging that my dad, uncle, and cousin went to Villa Park for the Holland game without me.  Any particular memories or views on performances? Am I remembering any of it wrongly?

The Holland match in 1992, I don't really recall much about - other then at one point thinking - a point here would be a steal.  Bergkamp scored a late winner.

Scotland were poor against Germany in 1992.  A bright-ish start, but I don't remember us ever looking like snatching a draw, after Riedle's opener.

I may be getting the next bit mixed up with Mexico 1986, but towards the end of the game Plan A become firing crosses in the direction of Richard Gough.  Two Germans finished the match sporting head bandages as a result of clashing heads with RG.  (Although, as I said, this may have happened in Queratero??).

The CIS paid the price for not knowing the Scots' psyche - in that we generally only turn it on against the big lads were it doesn't matter for us.  McStay's early opener required a big bit of luck, and McClair's second was his first for Scotland in about 30 games or summat.   Nevin bought the late penalty beautifully, but by then the CIS lads knew they had a date with the nearest gulag back home.

Both Holland and Germany later lost to Denmark - so much for the "We're just a Wee Nation" excuse.

 

1996 - John Collins palming a Dutch shot off the goal-line, and the ref somehow missing it.  But we were worth that draw.

Against England, I recall a shocking reducer by Shearer on then club-mate Colin Hendry.  Venables took off full-back Stuart Pierce at half-time and brought on midfielder Jamie Redknapp, which changed the whole dynamic in midfield.  McManamin started to run the show as Craig Brown dithered, and we were soon one down.

Never blamed McAllister for his penalty miss, Spunky dived one way, but was lucky his trailing leg kept the thing out.

As for Gazza's second - well, an unfortunate slip by Hendry certainly helped his cause, but it was a fine goal. 

Switzerland was typical Brown caution - he would rather go out with a job-saving1-0 win, than concede going for a second.  He would do the same trick at Wembley a few years later.  The wee shite.

 

 

 

  

[Snobot]

10 minutes ago, Ian38018 said:

Scotland were poor against Germany in 1992.  A bright-ish start, but I don't remember us ever looking like snatching a draw, after Riedle's opener.

Nah, we played really well, McStay was immense but our chances kept falling to fucking Dave McPherson. Their 2nd goal was a jammy deflected cross.

 

3 hours ago, TheJTS98 said:

Did anybody attend these previous efforts? I was an ever-present at the home Euro 96 qualifiers and am still raging that my dad, uncle, and cousin went to Villa Park for the Holland game without me. 

I was at Villa Park. It was the 1st Scotland game I went to. I was standing perfectly in line with McCoist when he hit the shot, just prior to cursing McAllister for giving it back to him. We battered them, I vividly remember Burley steaming in at the back post and blootering it into Row Z from 2 yards out.

[ArabGaz]

I was only 13 at the time of Euro 96 and have not seen it back* but my memory of the England game was that we were the better side and should’ve taken at least a point off of them. The 2 mins between the penalty and Gazza’s goal pretty much sums up supporting Scotland for me.


 

*other than the goals and the penalty miss.

Edited April 4, 2021 by ArabGaz

[craigkillie]

25 minutes ago, Ian38018 said:

Switzerland was typical Brown caution - he would rather go out with a job-saving1-0 win, than concede going for a second.  He would do the same trick at Wembley a few years later.  The wee shite.

I can't agree with this - I watched the Switzerland game over the summer when it was on Sportscene. We created loads of chances in that game and could easily have scored more than one. Once the goals started piling it at Wembley and we looked like potentially heading through, we were hardly going to go all out for a second goal and risk an equaliser that would eliminate us. Even when the Dutch got their goal with 12 minutes to go, it was still a bit of a knife edge situation - we did try to score, but there was still every chance of England getting another one and putting us through.

In terms of the play-off game at Wembley, he started with a front three, we created tons of chances and only a couple of great saves from Seaman stopped it from being 2-0.

[HalfCutNinja]

1 minute ago, ArabGaz said:

I was only 13 at the time of Euro 96 and have not seen it back* but my memory of the England game was that we were the better side and should’ve taken at least a point off of them. 
 

*other than the goals and the penalty miss.

Worth watching the penalty again if you can bear it. The ball really did move just before he hit it.

We also had just brought McCoist on, and everything he touched turned to gold. I was convinced then and still am today if he'd have taken it we'd have scored and we'd have got at least a point.

[Ian38018]

1 minute ago, HalfCutNinja said:

Worth watching the penalty again if you can bear it. The ball really did move just before he hit it.

We also had just brought McCoist on, and everything he touched turned to gold. I was convinced then and still am today if he'd have taken it we'd have scored and we'd have got at least a point.

Yes, but we all know that was Uri Geller.

[HalfCutNinja]

2 minutes ago, craigkillie said:

I can't agree with this - I watched the Switzerland game over the summer when it was on Sportscene. We created loads of chances in that game and could easily have scored more than one. Once the goals started piling it at Wembley and we looked like potentially heading through, we were hardly going to go all out for a second goal and risk an equaliser that would eliminate us. Even when the Dutch got their goal with 12 minutes to go, it was still a bit of a knife edge situation - we did try to score, but there was still every chance of England getting another one and putting us through.

In terms of the play-off game at Wembley, he started with a front three, we created tons of chances and only a couple of great saves from Seaman stopped it from being 2-0.

We didn't start with anything remotely resembling a front three at Wembley. 

As for Switzerland you can't be relying on other results, it was in our hands and we should have thrown the kitchen sink at them in the last 15 minutes. 

[Lurkst]

I was surprised* to discover recently that Scotland never entered the Euros until 1968, the last British Isles team to do so.

 

*- given the SFA's track record I wasn't actually surprised.

 

[Guest TheJTS98]

4 hours ago, HalfCutNinja said:

Worth watching the penalty again if you can bear it. The ball really did move just before he hit it.

We also had just brought McCoist on, and everything he touched turned to gold. I was convinced then and still am today if he'd have taken it we'd have scored and we'd have got at least a point.

I still find it amazing nobody gave the ball to McCoist. He'd scored at least four penalties for Rangers that season and I just can't imagine him possibly not scoring. Just give him the fucking ball.

You can even picture his celebration. He'd have done that thing he liked where he put his hands in front of his body and pretended he was about to cry.

No chance McCoist doesn't score.

His header against Greece at Hampden is still one of my favourite football moments.

Edited April 5, 2021 by TheJTS98

[Guest TheJTS98]

5 hours ago, Ian38018 said:

Switzerland was typical Brown caution - he would rather go out with a job-saving1-0 win, than concede going for a second.

 

4 hours ago, craigkillie said:

I can't agree with this - I watched the Switzerland game over the summer when it was on Sportscene. We created loads of chances in that game and could easily have scored more than one.

Yeah, I think criticism of Broon here is a bit unfair. The Switzerland game is actually uncharacteristically high tempo and we have more than enough chances to get the job done. Can't blame the manager for missed chances.

It's worth watching it back if you can face it. Remarkable that we only score once.

[Monkey Tennis]

10 hours ago, Ian38018 said:

The Holland match in 1992, I don't really recall much about - other then at one point thinking - a point here would be a steal.  Bergkamp scored a late winner.

Scotland were poor against Germany in 1992.  A bright-ish start, but I don't remember us ever looking like snatching a draw, after Riedle's opener.

I may be getting the next bit mixed up with Mexico 1986, but towards the end of the game Plan A become firing crosses in the direction of Richard Gough.  Two Germans finished the match sporting head bandages as a result of clashing heads with RG.  (Although, as I said, this may have happened in Queratero??).

The CIS paid the price for not knowing the Scots' psyche - in that we generally only turn it on against the big lads were it doesn't matter for us.  McStay's early opener required a big bit of luck, and McClair's second was his first for Scotland in about 30 games or summat.   Nevin bought the late penalty beautifully, but by then the CIS lads knew they had a date with the nearest gulag back home.

Both Holland and Germany later lost to Denmark - so much for the "We're just a Wee Nation" excuse.

 

1996 - John Collins palming a Dutch shot off the goal-line, and the ref somehow missing it.  But we were worth that draw.

Against England, I recall a shocking reducer by Shearer on then club-mate Colin Hendry.  Venables took off full-back Stuart Pierce at half-time and brought on midfielder Jamie Redknapp, which changed the whole dynamic in midfield.  McManamin started to run the show as Craig Brown dithered, and we were soon one down.

Never blamed McAllister for his penalty miss, Spunky dived one way, but was lucky his trailing leg kept the thing out.

As for Gazza's second - well, an unfortunate slip by Hendry certainly helped his cause, but it was a fine goal. 

Switzerland was typical Brown caution - he would rather go out with a job-saving1-0 win, than concede going for a second.  He would do the same trick at Wembley a few years later.  The wee shite.

 

 

 

  

Absolute nonsense about the Germany game.  We were really excellent and extremely unlucky.  The deflected goal was freakish, but I think Goram might have had a chance of getting near it, had he not just given up and sort of knelt down. 

Seaman didn't save the penalty with his leg.  It hit his arm.

[forameus]

1 hour ago, Monkey Tennis said:

Seaman didn't save the penalty with his leg.  It hit his arm.

And his elbow at that, wasn't it?  All the stuff around the ball moving kind of frames it as being a bit of a botched penalty, but although it wasn't brilliant, I don't remember it as being that bad.  It was a really good reaction save from Porno Dave.

[G51]

Can’t imagine being old enough to remember Scotland at a European Championship. Fair play to you all for surviving this long.

[invergowrie arab]

Euro 92 was probably the high point of following Scotland.

Yes, papped out in the first-round as per usual but remember it was an 8 team tournament and I think most people agreed we were the best of the bunch that went out.

So, 5th best team in Europe and no Costs Rica or Iran performances. Thats about as much as you can ask.

Euro 96 was feels like an amazing time to be young and following the football and was an amazing summer although if I remember correctly the tournament was dreadful. 

Yes, we managed to Scotland it but I would say 4 points from that group was a decent return 

[Guest TheJTS98]

1 hour ago, invergowrie arab said:

Euro 92 was probably the high point of following Scotland.

Yes, papped out in the first-round as per usual but remember it was an 8 team tournament and I think most people agreed we were the best of the bunch that went out.

So, 5th best team in Europe and no Costs Rica or Iran performances. Thats about as much as you can ask.

Euro 96 was feels like an amazing time to be young and following the football and was an amazing summer although if I remember correctly the tournament was dreadful. 

Yes, we managed to Scotland it but I would say 4 points from that group was a decent return 

Aye, it was a good showing. Really unlucky with that draw though.

The other group was absolutely turgid shite, and I'm certain we'd have got out of it. France never showed up, England were absolutely appalling, and Sweden and Denmark were just thoroughly average. It's a whole group of teams just constantly passing the ball back to their keeper.

It would have been a great time to play England.

Edited April 5, 2021 by TheJTS98

[Caledonian1]

I was at all six of those games and never saw Scotland score !!

The Switzerland game at Villa Park I recall bending down to pick up my camera when McCoist scored.

Incredibly I missed all the goals in the CIS game as we only arived at th ground with 4 minutes to go (long story mate got lost in a Stockholm forrest that morning and after eventually finding him we were held up in a traffic jam towards Norkopping.  A swedish news report on the car radio advised us that it was 2-0 as we arrived in Norkopping.  Unfortunately for us we didnt pick up if it was 2-0 Scotland or 2-0 the CIS (we assumed the latter)  Parked the car pretty much right outside the round and ran up the steps...there was a cheer from the Scotland fans and we thought "at least we got a goal in this tournament" but were staggered to learn after asking some bemused fans that indeed it was 3-0 Scotland

These were great tournaments and happy times to be a Scotland fan

 

 

[Binos]

19 hours ago, craigkillie said:

I can't agree with this - I watched the Switzerland game over the summer when it was on Sportscene. We created loads of chances in that game and could easily have scored more than one. Once the goals started piling it at Wembley and we looked like potentially heading through, we were hardly going to go all out for a second goal and risk an equaliser that would eliminate us. Even when the Dutch got their goal with 12 minutes to go, it was still a bit of a knife edge situation - we did try to score, but there was still every chance of England getting another one and putting us through.

In terms of the play-off game at Wembley, he started with a front three, we created tons of chances and only a couple of great saves from Seaman stopped it from being 2-0.

Switzerland was typical Scotland in that mccoist should have had a hattrick but just didn't take his chances

Then scored a wonder goal, the only chance he had no right to get in

In the end went out on goal difference and his misses did punish us

Euro 92 is our best ever international performance coming 7th best side in Europe

Never been anywhere near that level since

[Binos]

4 hours ago, TheJTS98 said:

Aye, it was a good showing. Really unlucky with that draw though.

The other group was absolutely turgid shite, and I'm certain we'd have got out of it. France never showed up, England were absolutely appalling, and Sweden and Denmark were just thoroughly average. It's a whole group of teams just constantly passing the ball back to their keeper.

It would have been a great time to play England.

Dahlin, brolin, dahlin, scores...was a nice moment