Episode Summary
Hosts
Graham Dunn, Jamie Rooney
Stefan Shaw, Phil Craig
Guest(s)
Release Date
20 June 2024
Duration
91 min
In this Euro ’96 special of By Far The Greatest Team, Graham Dunn and Jamie Rooney are joined by Phil Craig and Stefan Shaw to celebrate one of the tournament’s most unforgettable stories — the rise of the Czech Republic.
Barely three years after splitting from Slovakia, the Czechs arrived in England with low expectations and limited resources. Under the sharp tactical mind of Dušan Uhrin, they forged a team that blended youthful ambition with collective discipline. The midfield core of Nedvěd, Poborský, Berger, and Šmicer became the heartbeat of a side that defied logic and hierarchy.
After an opening defeat to Germany, the Czechs produced a sensational turnaround — holding Italy to a draw and stunning Portugal with Poborský’s audacious chipped goal. Their semi-final victory over France on penalties sealed a place in the final at Wembley, where Oliver Bierhoff’s golden goal ultimately denied them the title.
Yet, beyond the heartbreak, their journey represented something far deeper — a nation discovering its footballing identity, and a tournament rediscovering its romance. Euro ’96 was about colour, optimism, and nostalgia; and at its centre stood the Czechs, who reminded the world that heart and harmony could outshine superstar status.
Takeaways
Euro 96 was a pivotal moment for English football.
Anthems played a significant role in the tournament's atmosphere.
Croatia's debut showcased their footballing talent.
Germany's tactical strength and resilience were key to their success.
The Czech Republic had memorable moments, including Poborsky's lob.
The semi-finals featured high stakes and dramatic outcomes.
The final's golden goal was seen as an underwhelming conclusion to the tournament.
Reflections on Euro 96 reveal a nostalgia that may not align with the actual quality of the tournament.
Czech Republic 1996: The Golden Goal Heartbreak
The Czech Republic’s Euro ’96 campaign remains one of the most extraordinary underdog stories in modern football. Born out of a newly divided nation, Dušan Uhrin’s side arrived in England with modest expectations and a squad made up almost entirely of domestic league players. What followed was a tale of belief, structure, and defiance that captivated Europe.
After a 2–0 defeat to Germany in their opening match, the Czechs’ resilience came to the fore. They held Italy in a gritty 1–1 draw before stunning Portugal in the quarter-finals thanks to Karel Poborský’s audacious lob — a goal still replayed in tournament montages nearly three decades later. With Pavel Nedvěd’s energy, Patrik Berger’s intelligence, and Vladimír Šmicer’s movement, the team grew stronger with every match.
The semi-final against France epitomised their character: a defensive masterclass followed by nerve-shredding composure in a penalty shootout that sent them to Wembley. Against the odds, they faced Germany once more in the final — and even led through Berger’s penalty — before Oliver Bierhoff’s golden goal sealed a cruel ending to their dream.
But Czech Republic 1996 were more than a silver medallist. They were a symbol of tactical unity, national pride, and football’s enduring ability to surprise. Their story mirrored the spirit of Euro ’96 itself — joyous, unpredictable, and unifying. For a brief summer, the world fell in love with a team that reminded us all why we watch the game in the first place.
Main Topics
Iconic Moments
The Czech Republic’s rise as Euro ’96 outsiders
Dušan Uhrin’s tactical vision and discipline
Poborský’s wonder goal and Nedvěd’s emergence
Semi-final heroics vs France and final heartbreak
The legacy of Euro ’96 in European football culture
Poborský’s lob vs Portugal
Semi-final win over France on penalties
Oliver Bierhoff’s golden goal at Wembley
The Czechs’ fairytale run from Group D outsiders
Notable Manager
Dušan Uhrin
Notable Players
Pavel Nedvěd, Karel Poborský, Patrik Berger, Vladimír Šmicer, Pavel Kuka, Miroslav Kadlec, Petr Kouba, Radoslav Látal
Style of Play
4-4-2 Formation, Counter-Attacking, Tactical Discipline, Transitional Play, Wing Creativity, Team Cohesion
The Czech Republic’s 1996 team epitomised tactical discipline and collective spirit. Uhrin deployed a 4-4-2 that adapted into a 4-2-3-1 when attacking, allowing for defensive solidity without sacrificing creativity. The double pivot of Bejbl and Němeček shielded the back line, while Poborský and Nedvěd provided vertical energy and width. Berger’s incisive passing offered penetration, and Šmicer’s link play gave fluidity to transitions.
Their approach prioritised shape and counter-attacks. Without possession, the Czechs formed tight banks of four, pressing selectively and frustrating opponents through organisation and work rate. With the ball, they transitioned rapidly — Poborský’s runs and Berger’s long-range shooting giving them unpredictability. They were resilient rather than flamboyant, but there was a quiet artistry to their rhythm: diagonal passes, overlapping full-backs, and the courage to commit bodies forward in waves.
The Czechs’ identity was built on unity and adaptability. Uhrin’s side could defend deep, counter with purpose, or switch into a possession game when required. Above all, they were tactically intelligent — a team that proved footballing brilliance isn’t limited to the favourites, but can be forged through clarity, structure, and belief.
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