Football, Fussball, Voetbal

The first part of this programme highlights the significant impact of Spanish and Portuguese football on the European game, focusing on the successes of Spanish and Portuguese sides in the European Cup, Uefa Cup and Cup Winners Cup, plus the National teams in the European Championships. Barrie Davies presents an in-depth look at Real Madrid and Benfica, using archive footage and interviews with Alfredo di Stefano, Eusebio, Jose Santamaria, Raymond Kopa, Terry Venables and John Cruyff.

A look at Italian football since the 60s.

First in two programmes looking at Great Britain's participation in European football.

The fourth part of this programme discusses how The Netherlands, a relatively small nation, has become such a footballing giant. Gerald Sinstadt presents highlights from the national team’s triumphs and tribulations during the glory period 1971-1978 and Ajax’ rule of European club football, winning the European Champions’ Cup in successive years between 1971 and 1973. The national team won its only Championship at the Euros in 1988 under the leadership of Gullit, Rijkaard and Marco Van Basten. All 3 of them went on to give AC Milan European club domination in the early 90’s. The documentary includes interviews with Johan Cruyff, Johan Neeskens, Wim van Hanegemen, Rinus Michels, Marco van Basten and Ruud Gullit.

The fifth part of this programme highlights the mighty power of German football on the European playing field. Surprisingly perhaps, as the German national team has had great successes in the World Cup and European championships, the clubs have been relatively less successful. Interviews with Franz Beckenbauer, Paul Breitner, Gerd Muller, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Gunter Netzer, Bert Vogts, Jurgen Klinsman and Kevin Keegan. Gerald Sinstadt presents highlights of the national teams European and World Championship wins, Bayern Munich’s domination of the champions’ cup in the late seventies and the adventures of Kevin Keegan in Hamburg.

Looks at Liverpool's domination in the early 70s; Nottingham Forest; Aston Villa; the Heysel Stadium tragedy; the UEFA Cup; the Cup Winners' Cup; and the European Nations Cup.

The seventh part of this programme highlights the exploits of France and Belgium between 1956 and 1996. France hit the heights of European and World football for the first time between 1982 and 1986, by reaching the semi-finals in both world cups and winning the European Championships in 1984. Carried by the four musketeers, Giresse, Tigana, Fernandez and Platini, who together made up what might have been the best mid-field formation in the history of modern football, ‘Les Blues’ offered the epitomy of attractive attacking football. Barry Davis presents highlights from the national team’s triumphs and Marseille’s victory in the European Champions’ Cup in 1993. The national team of the small country of Belgium never won any championships but was semi-finalist in the European Championship of 1972, semi-finalist in the World Cup of 1986 and finalist of the European Championship in 1980. During this same period, its club teams faired even better with 3 wins in the Uefa Cup Winners Cup (Anderlecht and Mechelen), one win and two runners-up medals in the Uefa Cup (Anderlecht) and one finalist in the Champions’ Cup (Club Brugge). The documentary includes footage from many historical games, as well as exclusive interviews with Michel Hidalgo, Michel Platini, Just Fontaine, Chris Waddle, Guy Thys, Paul Van Himst and Rik De Saedeleer.

Looks at the game of football in Eastern Europe and examines the stories of Steaua Bucharest, Red Star Belgrade and Dynamo Kiev.

A preview of the European football championships to be held in Britain in 1996.