Soccer America’s editors look into Euro ’96 crystal balls.
Paul Kennedy
Champion: Germany
Runner-up: Netherlands
Losing semifinalists: Spain, Italy
Tournament MVP: Juergen Klinsmann (Germany)
Germany continues its renaissance under Berti Vogts, becoming the first team to take home the European Championship trophy a third time. The Germans, led by Juergen Klinsmann, are the one team with the right mixture of youth and experience. While the young Dutch are the pre-tournament favorites, they’re lucky to reach the final. Spain proves too much for host England in the quarterfinals, while Italy also sends home ’92 champion Denmark in the quarterfinals.
Duncan Irving
Champion: Germany
Runner-up: Italy
Losing semifinalists: Spain, England
Tournament MVP: Jose Luis Caminero (Spain)
The host team succumbs to Germany on a golden goal scored in the last minute of overtime from a blatantly offside position by Juergen Klinsmann’s outstretched hand. Replays show the ball never crossed the line. A nation mourns and Geoff Hurst holds the match ball to ransom. Spanish players, looking even more satanic than in `94, come of age, but crafty Italy has the last laugh again. In the final, Germany grinds down Italy and England yawns. The Dutch crash and burn and England panics — who’s left to copy now?
Ridge Mahoney
Champion: Germany
Runner-up: Spain
Losing semifinalists: Croatia, England
Tournament MVP: Matthias Sammer (Germany)
Germany gets it right this time — much to the displeasure of the home fans, who clash with their counterparts from Scotland, the Netherlands, Italy and Germany. The English tabloids slander every non-British team with headlines like “Let’s hope the frogs Croat!” Without David Ginola and Eric Cantona, France isn’t strong enough to win it all. Italy goes out in the quarterfinals, once again the victim of Croatia’s potent attack. Terry Venables takes a commentators’ job for the final, and ridicules both teams as hopelessly inept.
Mike Woitalla
Champion: Germany
Runner-up: Italy
Losing semifinalists: Netherlands, Spain
Tournament MVP: Matthias Sammer (Germany)
If you like tic-tac-toe, you would have loved the last European Championship. Almost half the games ended in boring ties. They averaged 2.13 goals per match. Goalkeepers could still handle back passes in 1992 — and did they ever. That Denmark won without preparing taught us something about the importance of coaching. Will this year be more entertaining? Probably, because 1992 absentees Italy, Spain and Portugal have plenty to offer.
Dean Caparaz
Champion: Croatia
Runner-up: Germany
Losing semifinalists: France, Spain
Tournament MVP: Davor Suker (Croatia)
Zvonimir Boban, Davor Suker and Co. will lead Croatia out of Group D and deep into the tournament. Italy should definitely get to the quarterfinals, but will miss Roberto Baggio. A plucky England may overcome injuries to key defenders to beat out the Netherlands in Group A, but the host would be hard-pressed to beat classy teams from Spain or France in the quarterfinals. Juergen Klinsmann and a lack of bickering should get Berti’s boys far.
Pete Bailey
Champion: Spain
Runner-up: Germany
Losing semifinalists: Portugal, England
Tournament MVP: Juan Pizzi (Spain)
Javier Clemente’s squad is speedy, talented, and determined, with a fine mix of veterans and youngsters, and they should play a very entertaining brand of soccer. Matthias Sammer and Juergen Klinsmann will shine for the Germans, and Russia will surprise many by joining them in the quarterfinals from Group C. Arrigo Sacchi will rue the day he left Roberto Baggio and Giuseppe Signori home. England will be the class of Group A, as the Netherlands’ poor form leads to a quarterfinal exit.