Retro Football: England Hammer Holland 4-1 At Euro ’96 (Photos & Highlights)

Chris Wright

29th, February 2012

6 Comments

By Chris Wright

1996 was a fine year for humanity. The Cable Guy hit the cinemas and showed us all just what was truly possible, the IRA bombed the Arndale centre, millions of people the world over began finding that Ask Jeeves ‘preferred the term jovial’ and Mark Morrison warned us all about the imminent Return of the Mac (despite no-one realising he’d been away) before being jailed for hiring a ringer to do a bout of community service. They were heady times indeed.

[Interesting Mark Morrison fact-ette: Kevin Campbell – yes, that Kevin Campbell – once legally blocked him from releasing an album. Thank you Kevin. On the behalf of all mankind, thank you.]

Oh, and England reached the semi-finals at Euro 1996, losing on penalties to eventual winners Germany. The grotesque grey away kit, Shearer at the near-post, Stefan Kuntz suddenly opening up a world of technically unpunishable swearing in school playgrounds the country over, Paul Gascoigne’s despairing big toe, Andy Moller’s infernal mullet-flicking strut, etc, etc.

However, before all that came England vs Holland in the groups. With both sides level at the top of Group A going into the game, England pulled an amazing performance out of their hind-quarters at Wembley to hammer a Dutch side boasting the likes of Bergkamp, Van der Sar, the De Boer twins, Seedorf and Jordi Cruyff – with El Tel’s S.A.S (‘Shearer and Sheringham’ for the uninitiated) strike force grabbing two goals apiece. Hell, they were so good they even let Patrick Kluivert score a 78th-minute gimme to send Scotland packing into the bargain.

With England welcoming Holland to Wembley again tonight, we thought we’d trawl the photo archives and relive the day – 18th June 1996 – in all it’s technicolour glory…

Highlights…

Of course it’s just like the English to go dredging up fading, inconsequential victories from the mists of time every time a repeat fixture comes up and long after the vanquished opponents of yesteryear have stopped caring (Germany 1-5 England being a case in point) but, hey, it’s all we’ve got.

Photos: PA

Posted in Featured, International football, Photos, Retro, Videos

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6 Comments

  1. Joe says:

    Ah England, the Tottenham of the International scene. Every win by more than two goals against half decent opposition is worthy of a DVD, a souvenir plate set and a commemorative dishcloth. I don’t believe many in Holland even remember much about our spankings of France and Italy four years ago, nevermind an inconsequential result from nineteen ninety fucking six.

  2. Boomsongblues says:

    Haha, great piece as usual. Those pictures bring back some great memories, I was actually at the game. Even at four goals we weren’t expecting to win. The English affliction I’m afraid.

  3. Papi says:

    Ah… Gascoigne.
    Along with Shearer, Ince, etc etc.
    What a squad.

  4. RyanSSL says:

    Amazing that 16 years later Seedorf is still playing top level football for AC Milan in one of the most difficult leagues in the World. What a legend. The 1998 Dutch team is one of my all time favorites.

  5. Ben says:

    Back when Adams was captain. :)

  6. Rory says:

    The dutch goal was marvelous

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