A few Eastern European soccer teams have had a notable impact on international and club soccer. No soccer team east of Germany has yet to win the FIFA World Cup, but a few Eastern European teams have been close to World Cup glory. These are a few of the great Eastern European soccer teams.
The 1954 Hungary soccer team was perhaps the best Eastern European international soccer team to have played in the FIFA World Cup. Their team included stars such as Puskas and Kocsis, and demolished England in two international fixtures. When they played at Wembley, the Hungarians ran out 6-3 winners and also racked up a record 7-0 against them in the return game in Hungary.
With those victories and an Olympic gold triumph, Hungary was the favorite to win the 1954 FIFA World Cup. No team could match their forward line-up, and in the group stages, they scored 17 goals in two games. Further victories in the quarter and semi-finals ensured their place in the FIFA World Cup final.
The Hungarian Golden Team played Germany in a rain-soaked final. Within the first 10 minutes of the game, Hungary took a two-goal lead. However, before halftime, Germany scored two goals to level the score at 2-2. In the final 10 minutes, Germany scored a third, winning goal to clinch an unexpected World Cup victory.
The 1998 Croatia World Cup team had some great players on their side. Among them, Suker, a prolific striker, scored six goals in the finals. A couple of victories in the group stages ensured their place in the second round against Romania, a team that Croatia beat 1–0.
In the quarter-finals, they played the European champions Germans. The game remained goalless for much of the first half until one German player was sent off, then, just before the end of the half, Croatia went in front. In the second, Croatia clinched victory with a second goal in the final 10 minutes, and then a third wrapped up a fine 3-0 victory.
Having defeated France, Croatia took on the hosts, France, and went a goal up in the first half. But the French got back into the game with a goal scored early in the second half, and their second goal put Croatia out of the cup. It had still been a great World Cup for Croatia, and their victory against Holland in the playoff ensured they finished third, which was one of the best World Cup finishes for an Eastern European team.
Few expected Greece to make an impact at Euro 2004. However, the Greeks had a well-organized team that did not concede many goals. In the group stage, they defeated the hosts, Portugal, 2-1, and made it to the quarter-finals. Narrow 1-0 victories against France in the quarter-finals, and the Czech Republic in the semi-finals (which they won with a Silver Goal) ensured their place in the final.
The victories set up a final with Portugal. Portugal had most of the possession during the match and had a few chances to score. However, Greece held firm and, in the second half, scored from their first corner, which was headed into Portugal’s net. Portugal could not break Greece down, and the game finished 1-0. Greece won the European Championship with a team that was probably not the most exciting, but was very solid at the back. Their coach stated, “The Greeks have made football history. It’s a sensation.”
In the 1986 European Cup, Steaua București made it to the final. In that game, they played Spanish giants Barcelona in Spain. The Romanian team was the underdogs in the final, but they held out for a 0-0 draw. Penalties were required, and their goalkeeper saved all of Barcelona’s penalties to win the European Cup for Steaua București. They were the first Eastern European team to win the European Cup.
These Eastern European teams had a big impact on the European Cup, FIFA World Cup, and European Championships. Alongside them, teams such as Bulgaria and Czechoslovakia have also reached the World Cup semi-finals and final. They are teams that have had some terrific players.
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