A window on the past: the last victory over Spain is 32 years old. Václav Daněk contributed two goals

The Czech national team is facing a much tougher opponent after its win over Switzerland in the elite group of the Nations League. Spain, the 2010 World Champion and European Champion in 1964, 2008 and 2012. The last time the Czech team, then still together in the federal selection, defeated them was 32 years ago, in November 1990 in the 1992 European Championship qualification by 3:2. The famous canonist Václav Daněk contributed to this result with two hits.

It was a thrilling duel. The Ostrava striker, who was already in the service of the Austrian Swarowski Tirol at that time, overcame the famous Zubizarreta in the 17th minute, but the visitors equalised before half-time. They even took the lead after the change of sides, but Daněk equalised again and the winning goal was secured by Slovak midfielder Lubomir Moravcik.

Daněk, of course, remembers the match fondly. “I dropped out of the national team for some time, coach Vengloš didn’t take me to the 1990 World Championship in Italy,” he says.

“Then coach Máčala took over the team, we knew each other from Baník Ostrava. Even though I had already left for Austria, our relationship was a little bit above standard,” he found support from the new coach. “I was in shape, I was pleased that he called me. It was a bit of satisfaction for me,” he admits, even after all these years.

Against the Czechoslovak team stood a team full of stars – Zubizarreta, Míchel, Butragueño, Sanchís, Martin Vázquez, Bakero, on the bench the famous Luis Suárez, who won the Ballon d’Or in 1960. “I was a bit worried about the match, the Spanish have never been our favourite opponent,” Daněk admitted. “Their quality has always been high,” he realised.

But the Czechoslovak team won. “ Sometimes it comes together,” Daněk admits. “It was mid-November, the weather and the terrain didn’t suit them. It was a handicap for them. The pitch was waterlogged, it took them by surprise, they were not so used to such conditions,” he points out that the home team had the advantage.

He contributed two goals to the victory. “It’s been a long time,” he sighs as time flies. “But I remember one a little bit. I put it from the right side across the goal, Zubizaretta couldn’t reach the ball,” he describes.

The Czech team hasn’t beaten the Spaniards since. Now he has an opportunity in the Nations League in the elite Group A.

Source: UEFA