CZECHOSLOVAKIA 2-2 WEST GERMANY

West Germany entered the 1976 European Championship final as overwhelming favourites to beat Czechoslovakia. The Germans were the defending European Champions and the reigning World Champions, and had survived an almighty scare against hosts Yugoslavia in the semi-final, coming from 2-0 down to win 4-2 after extra-time. Czechoslovakia had surprisingly reached their first final by beating expected finalists the Netherlands, also after extra-time.

When the match started, West Germany were again very slow to get going, and after just 8 minutes found themselves a goal down. Ján Svehlík seized on a cross from Zdenek Nehoda to put the underdogs in the lead. Seventeen minutes later the situation got even worse for the Germans, a free kick was only half cleared and Karol Dobias drove the ball home to put Czechoslovakia 2-0 ahead. The two goal lead would last just three minutes however, Rainer Bonhof crossing for Dieter Müller to volley home and put West Germany back in the match. The Germans swarmed forward looking for the equaliser, but time and time again they were denied by a superb performance from Czechoslovakian goalkeeper Ivo Viktor.

With Viktor in the form of his life, it seemed that Czechoslovakia had done enough to lift the trophy. However, in the 89th minute Bonhof sent in a corner and Bernd Hölzenbein beat Viktor to the ball to head in the equaliser and send the match to extra-time. With both sides tiring the extra half hour produced few chances and for the first time ever a major international final would be decided by a penalty shoot-out.

Both sides successfully converted their first three penalties, and when substitute Ladislav Jurkemik made the score 4-3 to Czechoslovakia the pressure was really on for the defending champions. Uli Hoeneß stepped up and fired his penalty high over the crossbar, and Czechoslovakia were one kick away from the title. Antonin Panenka stepped up and rather than going for power, he chipped the ball down the middle of the goal as Sepp Maier dived, and Czechoslovakia were European Champions. West Germany had lost their title without losing a match in normal play, and Czechoslovakia had won the title by getting past both sides who had contested the World Cup final two years earlier.