24/6/1990

Knockout round last 16

West  Germany  2             Holland   1

Klinsmann  (51)                             R Koeman (89 pen)

Brehme  (82)

24 years ago today a game took place in Italia 90 that won't be remembered for a fantastic goal or by a match winning save.  It will long be remembered as the day that Holland's Frank Rijkaard sniffed as hard as he could and summoned up a massive greenie which he finally propelled into the German striker Ruddi Voeller's 1980's curly mullett.  

It is one of those moments in football, that you never forget, no matter how much you try to.

The Dutch lost this game and the German's went on to lift the trophy after they had beaten England in the semi finals on penalties.

The thing that I most remember about this incident though was the interview after the game that ITV had with the Then Ireland manager Jack Charlton.  I think it might have been Elton Welsby who asked Big Jack "what did you make of the spitting incident, Big Jack?" to which he replied.  "Absolutely disgusting Jim,  I tell you one thing though, if he hadder dunnit to me, I woulda chinned him.

Big Jack woulda chinned him.