Germany Euro 2012 Looking back Germanys

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1972: West Germany 2-1 BelgiumBelgium, dark horses for victory in the 1972 European Championships were defeated by a defiant German XI. The Germans themselves had just disposed of arch rivals England by three goals to one in the Quarter Finals, and progre sed knowing that they were rank outsiders for the semi final.Belgium, with their home fans behind them, were instantly pegged back by a dominant German side. Hero and legend Gerd Muller converted a header in the 24th minute to silence the 50,000 Belgium fans and put thefavoritesunder pre sure. Thanks to the pace of Franz Beckenbaur, the Belgiums were under extremely pre sure which eventually tolled when Muller rushed through to score past Piot again. Although Germanys strong defense was eventually breached in the 83rd minute, butPolleunis goal proved nothing more than a constellation.Into the final the Germans went, and another brace from the player of the tournament Gerd Muller, coupled with a goal in between for Wimmer gave the Germans glory in the shape of their first even European Championship victory. It would not be their last.1976: West Germany 4-2 Vince Carter Jersey  YugoslaviaQuite po sibly one of the greatest matches in the history of the European Championships. Many at the time considered West Germany vs Yugoslavia as a potential final before the draw was made, as they were both front runners to claim glory. The potential prize was a match against Czechoslovakia and a second succe sive European Championships final.In their pursuit of glory, however, things starteddisastrouslyfor Germany.Dragan Daji and the Slavia ungul ripped West Germany toshredsearly on, and the champions were desperately clinging on. With half an hour gone, Germany couldnt be in a much worse position. Goals from Popivoda andDaji put Germany under huge pre sure to stage a seemingly impo sible comeback. One moment of genius from the German manager turned the game completely on its head.Again Muller was the hero, although this time the legendary Gerd was replaced by the uncapped Dieter. The subsistute was brought on to change the game with a goal, and almost instantly provided one.Heinz Flohes goal on 52 minutes could have proved Jeff Teague Jersey  a mere constellation had it not been for Muller, who equalised on the 82 minute off a corner.The match seemed destined for penalties, as after 15 minutes Yugoslavia, who were previously dominating the Germans, desperately held on. That was until Muller struck again on the 115 minute mark, from a clever pa s from team mate Erich Beer. With the opposition flooding forward looking for the equaliser, the Germans counter attacked to devastating effect. Muller reacted quickly when the ball flew off the post to complete his hattrick and send the Yugoslavians home.However, it was simply not to be in the final with the Germans losing to Czechoslovakia on penalties after a 2-2 draw, another thriller.1988: West Germany 1-2 HollandTo many, this would have been just another semi final, between two strong teams vying for glory. But it was so much more than that. West Germany were desperate to claim back their trophy on home soil, whilst the Dutch knew that to humiliate the Germans on their own turf would be one of the most horrendousembarra sments in their footballing history. Arivalry made derby-like by the animosity between the two nation since theatrocitiesof the Second World War, the replay of the 1974 World Cup was pronounced asthe final itself. It proved to be so.Germany, buoyed on by their strong home support, got off on the front foot. In the first half it seemed that their ineptitude in the penalty area would prove their undoing. However, they had the perfect opportunity when Jurgen Klinsmann fell under challenge from Franck Rijhaard. Lothar Mattheus made no mistake from the spot, and the pre sure fell into the hands of the Dutch.At this point Ronald Koeman was starting to become more influential,  Trae Young Jersey blazing long range efforts over the bar. After Van Basten was adjudged to be fouled in the penalty area, Koeman had the perfect opportunity to equalize, which he swept home withaplomb.With just two minutes to go, the most heavily anticipated semi final of Kevin Huerter Jersey  modern times seemed destined for extra time and the lottery of the golden goal. That was until Marco Van Basten displayed his true cla s. Jan Wouters, with yards of space, slipped the ball through to the Ajax man who swept the ball home. From the jaws of defeat Holland had claimed semi victory. The final was indeed the final itself, as the Netherlands swept aside the Soviet Union with ease to claim their maiden triumph.1992: Germany 3-2 SwedenAnother tournament, another thrilling semi final, and yet more runners up medals for the Germans. In Solna they met the same Sweden side that had humiliated England, thanks to Tomas Brolin. The hosts were not expected to get too far in the tournament, but as so often occurs the immense support spurned them on to reach their first major final. The Germans, as ever, wereresilient.Germany knew that an early goal would be needed to silence theSwedishchoir, and they got it in magnificent style. When Erik son was bundled over on the edge of the area, Thomas Ha sler wipped home one of the goals of the tournament, to leave the Swedish goalkeeper a mere spectator.From then on Germany dominated and doubled their lead through Karl-Heinz Riedle. As ever Tomas Brolin pulled Sweden back from the dead with a penalty, but when Riedle restored the two goal advantage German fans could start to buy tickets for the final, even if Ander son did pull back what proved to be a mereconstellation.It seemed, then, to be a forgone conclusion, Germany would meet Denmark, who hadnt even qualified, and in typical German style would prove ruthle s. The Danes 2-0 victory was one of the upsets of the century, and will still haunt German fans and players alike to this very day.1996: Germany 1-1 England (Germany win 5-6 on penalties)This match seemed almost as much of a forgone conclusion as Germanys encounter with the Danes just four years earlier. England were as strong as ever, and on the cusp of reaching their first European Championship final on home soil. All that stood between them and the opportunity of redemption after decades ofunderachievementwere an average looking German side. I think we all know what happens nextWhen Tony Adams flicked header from a corner reached Alan Shearer, we all knew what was to come, even if just 3 minutes had Nathan Knight Jersey  elapsed. Shearer coolly headed home, and the Old Wembley went into the raptures. England, who had been dominant even before the goal, could start to dream.However, Germany had not read the script, and dug deep to claim an equalizer just a quarter of an hour later. After some wonderful build up play Moller and Helmer linked up to find Kuntz, who beat Davi