The rest of the finalists were not really powerful and on top of it, they were reduced by three – Nigeria, Ghana, and Zambia withdraw as part of the general African boycott against New Zealand, which committed a crime – played rugby matches with outlawed South Africa. The rest of the African countries wanted New Zealand to be banned from the Olympics; it was not; the Africans boycotted the games; the football tournament was left with only 13 participants. Brazil, France, Spain – those were the strongest among the rabble, although not much at all. Young players without professional contracts, some playing 2nd and 3rd division football (the Spaniards) were collected in the ‘strong’ teams. Brazil was coached by respected name – and the players were selected on the basis of promise: as a future national players. France was similar, and to a point – Spain. Yet, nothing big and strong at the present. The rest of the finalists is hardly worth mentioning – Cuba (replacing Uruguay, after they decided to withdraw from the tournament and Argentina declined to replace them as well), Mexico, Guatemala, Iran, North Korea, Israel (probably because there were no Arabic countries reaching the Olympics), and hosts – Canada. The only thing interesting about the finals is really trivia: the players, who became big (or smaller) stars in the following years – Edinho, Carlos (Brazil), Platini, Amisse, Rouyer, Fernandez (France), Eskandarian (Iran), Hugo Sanchez (Mexico), Arconada, Juanito (Spain). Not even a full squad…
The predictable East European walkover to predictable final happened not to be so easy: it looked like nobody was in decent form. Cuba nibbled a point out of Poland – 0-0. The revelation of 1974 managed to go ahead after 3-2 win over Iran. Not a hint of supremacy…
USSR barely won their match with Canada by 2-1. France was unable to win against Israel… Platini vs nobody: 1-1. The preliminary groups were shallow – the most interesting part of them were the complaints – even the Soviets complained from the condition of the grounds the hosts provided. USSR, however, used the state of the ‘stadiums’ as an excuse for their obviously bad form and lack of ideas. Lobanovsky was good at complaining – to cover his back.
Terrible tournament from the beginning: remember the top goalscorer and one of the most impressive players at the 1974 World Cup? Grzegorz Lato? He alone should have been enough to beat Cuba with 4-5 goals difference… but it was 0-0 at the final whistle.
The predictable East European walkover to predictable final happened not to be so easy: it looked like nobody was in decent form. Cuba nibbled a point out of Poland – 0-0. The revelation of 1974 managed to go ahead after 3-2 win over Iran. Not a hint of supremacy…
USSR barely won their match with Canada by 2-1. France was unable to win against Israel… Platini vs nobody: 1-1. The preliminary groups were shallow – the most interesting part of them were the complaints – even the Soviets complained from the condition of the grounds the hosts provided. USSR, however, used the state of the ‘stadiums’ as an excuse for their obviously bad form and lack of ideas. Lobanovsky was good at complaining – to cover his back.
Terrible tournament from the beginning: remember the top goalscorer and one of the most impressive players at the 1974 World Cup? Grzegorz Lato? He alone should have been enough to beat Cuba with 4-5 goals difference… but it was 0-0 at the final whistle.
