Hungary silence record crowd
Sunday 1 January 2006
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A tournament record crowd of 72,800 gathered to watch the 1984 UEFA European Under-18 Championship final in Moscow - but the home favourites were defeated on penalties in a tense final by Hungary.
Holders miss out
There were two notable absentee from the finals. Holders France won the first leg of their qualifier against Spain 1-0 but then fell 3-1 in Gijon, while inaugural winners West Germany were pipped in a three-team group by Italy. Of the previous winners only Scotland, who overcame Wales 8-2 on aggregate, would be present in the USSR, joined by the beaten finalists from the past two years, Czechoslovakia, who were 3-0 overall victors against Cyprus.
Soviets oust England
The hosts were to spend the tournament in Moscow and began with a convincing 5-0 win against Luxembourg in Group C, as England were held 1-1 by East Germany. England had the same score against the USSR as East Germany defeated Luxembourg 4-0, and although England beat the group minnows 2-0, they departed unbeaten as the home nation struck the only goal against East Germany.
Irish smiles
Group A in the city then known as Leningrad also proved a tight affair. The Republic of Ireland began well, beating Scotland 3-0, while Portugal overcame Greece 3-1. Scotland bounced back with a 3-1 win against Portugal on Matchday 2 as Ireland went top with a 1-1 draw against Greece. And Ireland's 3-2 victory against Portugal took them into the semi-finals as Scotland and Greece drew 1-1.
Poland top
In Kiev, Poland had a perfect record in Group B, defeating Italy, Bulgaria and Denmark by 1-0 scorelines. Bulgaria's 2-2 draw with Denmark and 1-0 win against Italy left them second, with the Azzurri's 3-0 victory versus Denmark in their second game giving them third place.
Hungary cruise
Hungary came through Group D in Minsk, like Poland winning every game and not conceding a goal. On Matchday 1 they defeated Czechoslovakia 3-0, effectively ending their hopes of a third consecutive final, while Spain beat Switzerland 2-1, the same score by which the Swiss then lost to Czechoslovakia. Hungary's 2-0 win against Spain left them clear with a game left and they then scored the only goal in their match with the Swiss, as Spain and Czechoslovakia drew 1-1.
Hosts stunned
Poland and Hungary put their winning streaks on the line in the semi-finals, and the Hungarians prevailed 2-0, to earn a tie against the USSR, who defeated Ireland 2-1. Poland beat the Irish by the same score for third place, and not only did Hungary end the tournament without conceding a goal, but after a scoreless final at the Lenin Central stadium they took the title by winning 3-2 on penalties against the hosts.
Spain so close
Hungary, Ireland, England, Spain and Bulgaria returned to the Soviet Union for the 1985 FIFA World Youth Championship 14 months later. England, Hungary and Ireland fell in the group stage, and Spain beat Bulgaria in the quarter-finals and the USSR - on penalties - in the last four, before falling 1-0 in extra time to Brazil in the final.
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