Before the dazzling spectacle of Italian magic in 1990, football’s elite gathered in West Germany for the 1988 UEFA European Championship, a tournament that became a watershed moment for Dutch football. Among the favourites were the Soviet Union, hosts West Germany, and Italy, but it was the Netherlands, after years in the wilderness, that captured the imagination of the footballing world.
Having missed two consecutive World Cups and one European
Championship since their golden era in the 1970s, Dutch football was desperate
for redemption. Enter Rinus Michels, the legendary architect of "Total
Football," who returned to guide a new generation of Dutch talent.
The likes of Ruud Gullit, Ronald Koeman, Frank Rijkaard, and
Marco van Basten had emerged, ready to etch their names into history. But
redemption would not come easily; it required grit, genius, and a moment of
magic that would redefine the very limits of the sport.
A Stuttering Start
and Van Basten’s Rebirth
The Netherlands began their campaign against the Soviet
Union, a team brimming with talent and led by the indomitable Renat Dasayev.
Without Marco van Basten, who was recovering from a season marred by injuries,
the Dutch faltered, losing 1-0. It was an ominous start for one of the
tournament’s favorites.
Van Basten later reflected on his absence:
“[Michels] chose Bosman because I was injured the entire
season before. Bosman had already played a few games and did well, so there was
no reason to change. I had no reason to think I should be among the first XI. I
was just watching, learning, and waiting for my chance.”
That chance came in the must-win clash against England. The
Dutch faced mounting pressure, having been written off by critics who
questioned their temperament on the big stage. Early in the match, England took
the lead, seemingly confirming those doubts.
But then, Marco van Basten happened.
With clinical precision and unrelenting brilliance, Van
Basten dismantled the English defense, scoring a hat-trick that left Peter
Shilton and his teammates shell-shocked. It was a performance that not only
saved the Netherlands’ campaign but also reignited Van Basten’s career.
“That game was where everything changed,” he recalled. “I
had a difficult year with injuries. From that moment, everything went positive.
I scored three goals, and we won an exciting match. Afterwards, the other
matches were easier, and everything went well.”
The Semifinal:
Redemption Against Germany
The Dutch progressed to the semifinals, where they faced
their historical nemesis, West Germany. Memories of the 1974 World Cup final
loomed large, a match where the Dutch, despite their brilliance, succumbed to
the Germans on the grandest stage.
In Hamburg, it was a battle of attrition. The Germans,
bolstered by home support, played with their trademark efficiency, while the
Dutch fought with determination and flair. Marco van Basten’s duel with Jürgen
Kohler epitomized the contest’s intensity.
“Both of us played hard,” Van Basten said. “Sometimes he
won, sometimes I won. But I think we always played with mutual respect. The
game in Hamburg was very special because winning against Germany, especially in
Germany, is not something that happens often.”
A late penalty converted by Ronald Koeman sealed a historic
2-1 victory, exorcising the ghosts of 1974. The Dutch were through to their
first-ever European Championship final.
The Final: Van
Basten’s Immortal Volley
The final pitted the Netherlands against the Soviet Union
once more. The Soviets, who had dispatched Italy in the semifinals, were
formidable opponents, but the Dutch carried the momentum.
Ruud Gullit opened the scoring in the 32nd minute, heading
home to give the Netherlands a crucial lead. Then, in the 54th minute, came a
moment that transcended the match, the tournament, and even the sport
itself.
Arnold Mühren’s speculative cross from the left seemed
destined to drift harmlessly out of play. But Marco van Basten, stationed at an
impossible angle on the right, had other ideas. With impeccable timing and
technique, he struck the ball on the volley, sending it soaring over Dasayev
and into the far corner of the net.
The stadium erupted. The footballing world stood in
awe.
Van Basten later described the moment with characteristic
humility:
“I was a little tired. The ball came from Arnold Mühren, and
I thought, OK, I can stop it and do things with all these defensive players, or
I could take a risk and shoot. You need a lot of luck with a shot like that.
Everything went well. It’s one of those things that just happen.”
His teammates were equally astonished.
“You cannot shoot from that angle,” said Ronald Koeman. “It
really was too high,” agreed Frank Rijkaard. “He will do that another million
times and still not score that goal,” laughed Ruud Gullit.
At 2-0, the Netherlands were in control. Hans van
Breukelen’s penalty save from Igor Belanov sealed the victory, and the Dutch
lifted their first major trophy.
A Legacy Defined
Van Basten’s volley is often debated as the greatest goal in
a final, rivalled only by Zinedine Zidane’s strike in the 2002 Champions League
final. But for many, Van Basten’s goal edges ahead, not just for its technical
brilliance but for its historical significance.
It was the crowning moment of a Dutch renaissance, a goal
that symbolized redemption, resilience, and the beauty of football. For the
Netherlands, it marked the culmination of years of struggle. For Marco van
Basten, it cemented his place among the immortals of the game.
Thank You
Faisal Caesar
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