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.
