1. Euro 1976 – The First Panenka Penalty
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The final, most remarkable moment in our books features another set of world champions in the European final – West Germany. Bayern Munich legend Franz Beckenbauer had captained his team to a European victory in 1972 against one of history’s most praised side; Johan Cruyff’s “Total Football” Netherlands. 2 years later, the Soviet Union were demolished 3-0 in the World Cup finals. Yugoslavia had been demolished 4-2 in extra-time with a show of Germany’s efficiency and resilience as Dieter Muller’s hat-trick broke their hearts. Who stood between them and glory now? Debutants Czechoslovakia.
Beginners they may have been but they showed they weren’t minnows, racing into a 2-goal lead by the 25th minute. However, the lethal Dieter Muller struck back 3 minutes later to halve the deficit. The Czechoslovakian side defended well, keeping the Germans frustrated until they forced extra-time with only a minute to go through a desperate Holzenbein goal. If they thought they’d been spared a humiliation, they were very wrong.
A tense 30 minutes of extra-time followed as both sides strove for supremacy before it was brought to the spot-kick gods to decide. Both sides kept their nerves immaculately, firing in all 3 of their penalties. On the 4th, Jurkemik stepped up and beat Sepp Maier. Bayern Munich’s Ulrich Hoeneß stepped up and blasted his penalty over the bar under the immense pressure. Come forth Mr. Antonin Panenka, the man of the hour. If Hoeneß had been under pressure, what did Antonin feel, knowing this was the kick that would win his team their first major trophy? Only he knows, as he unveiled the secret weapon which would come to bear his name.
With a dismissive, beautiful touch, he chipped the ball down the middle as Sepp Maier dove to the left, flabbergasted by the man’s sheer confidence. The legend of the Panenka was born, to be recreated a million times later.
