A born leader

Dino Zoff, the legendary goalkeeper, led the Italian national team to the European throne in Rome

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Photo: Fifa
Photo: Fifa
Disclaimer: The translations are mostly done through AI translator and might not be 100% accurate.

In 1968, a wave of change was in the air - cultural, social, political...

During this time, Italy organized the third European Football Championship.

As in the previous case, the host was destined to win the continental championship - after Spain in 1964, the Azzurri ascended the throne four years later, for the first time in history.

The Italians won the cup probably in the strangest way ever recorded in football - in the semi-finals the USSR was eliminated by a coin toss (after 0:0 there were no penalties), while in the final Yugoslavia was defeated only in a replay (the first was 1:1). .

The Italians ascended to the throne when it seemed that there was no defense that could stop Dragan Džajić, the flagship of the Yugoslav national team and one of the best European footballers of that time.

"Azuri", however, were recognizable then (as now) for their mystically strong defense and fearless character.

The "hand" of Eleni Herrera, who led Inter at the time and who patented the football style called "catenacho" (loosely translated bunker) was felt in other clubs, as well as in the national team.

And since behind the granite defense, led by Burgnič and Anastazi, there was a reliable goalkeeper, it was guaranteed that Italy would not concede more goals than the attackers, Sandro Macola and Gidgi Riva, could score.

The man in goal was called Dino Zof - the best Italian, along with the Russian Lev Yashin and the Englishman Gordon Banks, one of the best European goalkeepers of all time.

Zof was born on February 28, 1942, and exactly 40 years later, this goalkeeper with an elegant style and innate instinct to be a leader, became the oldest soccer player to win the World Cup (1982 in Spain).

"He was calm, able to remain cool in the most difficult and incredibly exciting moments. When we beat Brazil in 1982, he kissed me on the chin without saying a word. For me, it was the most touching moment of the World Cup," said Italian coach Enco Bearcot.

Indeed, Zof was the leader of every team he played for. His golden years began in 1972, when he moved from Napoli to Juventus. In the 11 seasons he spent in goal for the "old ladies", he won six Serie A titles.

Zof played over 800 games in his career, and today he holds the record for the number of consecutive minutes without conceding a goal (1142).

He later became a coach - he managed Juventus, Lazio, Fiorentina and the Italian national team.

He almost became European champion as a coach - in 2000 in Roretdam, the Italians led against France in the final until the third minute of stoppage time. Wiltor's goal for 1:1 meant the beginning of the end...

Championship team

The best team of the European Championship in Italy in 1968 consisted of: Dino Zof (Italy), Mirsad Falzagić (Yugoslavia), Đakinto Faketi (Italy), Ivica Osim (Yugoslavia), Albert Šesternev (USSR), Bobby Moore (England), Sandro Macola (Italy), Angelo Domengini (Italy), Jeff Hurst (England), Luigi Riva (Italy), Dragan Džajić (Yugoslavia).

In the semi-finals, the Italians eliminated the Soviet Union with an incredible touch of luck (coin toss, after 0:0), and in the final they set their sights on Yugoslavia, who had previously defeated the English with a terrible goal by Dragan Džajić.

At the Olympic Stadium in Rome, Yugoslavia took the lead with another goal by Džajić (39th minute), but Domengini took the final to a new match in the 80th minute.

The "azuri" defeated the exhausted Yugoslavs 2:0, with goals from Riva and Anastasia.

Bonus video: