Euro ’96 was the primary European Championship staged after Czechoslovakia separated – forming the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
However no one anticipated the Czech crew to have a lot influence on the match, together with the nation’s personal gamers.
They had been outsiders, and many of the squad had been nonetheless based mostly of their home league.
A number of had booked their holidays for straight after the group stage – which concerned Germany, Italy and Russia – and Vladimir Smicer was even resulting from get married.
Midfielder Patrik Berger says his then Borussia Dortmund team-mate Jurgen Kohler didn’t even know the Czechs had been on the Euros… and the defender was within the Germany squad.
Berger, chatting with the BBC Sporting Witness podcast earlier this 12 months, mentioned of Kohler: “He was asking me what my plans had been for the summer season. I mentioned ‘I’ll the Euros’ and he mentioned ‘to observe video games?’
“I mentioned ‘no, we’re taking part in you guys the primary sport of the group phases after which we are going to play within the last’ – and he was laughing.”
The Czechs misplaced their opening sport 2-0 to Germany at Outdated Trafford earlier than beating Italy 2-1 at Anfield.
Smicer’s late equaliser in a 3-3 draw in opposition to Russia – at his future dwelling of Anfield – was sufficient to see them by means of as a result of Italy did not beat Germany within the different sport, ending 0-0.
“We knew we had been nonetheless in it, however we did not know what the opposite result’s,” mentioned Berger, who would go on to play for Liverpool with Smicer. “One minute we’re not qualifying, the subsequent it was we certified, so we did not actually know.
“After the ultimate whistle it took a couple of minutes earlier than we realised we certified for the quarter-finals.”
Within the quarters got here one of the vital memorable European Championship objectives ever, with Karel Poborsky scooping the ball over Vitor Baia from the sting of the field to offer the Czech Republic a 1-0 win over Portugal at Villa Park.
And, after a goalless draw in opposition to France within the semis at Outdated Trafford, the Czechs would win 6-5 on penalties.
Their spot-kicks had been netted by gamers together with future Ballon d’Or winner Pavel Nedved, Berger and Poborsky, who was again on the floor weeks later as a newly signed Manchester United participant.
“You do not wish to go there,” mentioned Berger of taking a penalty in a shootout.
“If somebody says one thing totally different they’re mendacity. No person desires to take that penalty.”
He mentioned the crew “could not imagine” that they had crushed France.
“We had been dwelling the dream,” Berger mentioned. “It was a tremendous feeling. A tremendous second for the nation.
“To get to the ultimate was sort of like a miracle for everybody.”
Two days earlier than the ultimate, Smicer returned to Prague to get married.
Hundreds of Czech followers turned out within the metropolis centre for the event, however Smicer needed to return to England the identical day.
The Czech Republic confronted Germany within the last at Wembley – and led after 59 minutes by means of Berger’s drilled penalty.
He revealed he was not even meant to be the penalty taker however “might see no one actually wished to take the ball”.
“The one factor in my thoughts was hit it as arduous as potential heading in the right direction,” he mentioned.
Sadly for the Czechs, Oliver Bierhoff equalised 14 minutes later – after which scored the primary ever golden purpose in a serious match last to offer Germany the win.
“It wasn’t meant to be,” mentioned Berger. “I might like to be European champion, however silver for us was like a gold as a result of it opened doorways to so many people. And it opened doorways to the era after us. I’ve no regrets.
“Due to Euro 96, as a result of it was performed in England, I caught the attention of Liverpool.
“There have been 100,000 ready for us in Prague celebrating. Even silver felt like profitable the match for us.”
