June 15 - Gazza and Geller Beat the Scots

EVERYONE seems to know the score
They’ve seen it all before
They just know
They’re so sure
That England’s Gonna throw it away
Gonna blow it away
But I know they can play
‘Cause I remember…

They did play, but they also threw it away. England fans look back on Euro 96 with fondness. El Tel had roused his troops well for the tournament when football came home and the Three Lions got all the way to the semi-finals before inevitably going out on penalties to eventual winners Germany.

After a 1-1 draw with Switzerland in their first match, England really got their campaign up and running on this day when they faced up against Scotland for the first time since the annual fixture between the two sides was axed in 1989.

Wembley was rocking when they took to the pitch with both teams fancying their chances of coming away with a victory. The first half was frustrating for both sides as neither team could settle and get much of a rhythm going. Venables made some adjustments at half time and Shearer was the benefactor when he opened the scoring on 53 minutes.

Sheringham and McManaman both had chances as England started to get into their groove but with just 15 minutes left on the clock Scotland were awarded a penalty, which Gary McAllister stepped up to take it.

He had not reckoned on an Israeli spoon-bender hovering above the stadium in a helicopter though and Uri Geller claimed he used his psychic powers to make the ball move before McAllister struck it. Seaman saved and England held on to the their lead.

Geller said afterwards: “When that penalty kick was taken I willed Dave to dive to the right, and he did. And I willed the ball to move with pure telepathy.

“I tapped into the massive wave of positive vibrations from the England supporters and beamed them down to the players. I was like a receiver and a transmitter - I said before the game if all the fans visualised England winning, they would. The players felt my powers very strongly.”

Before Uri could take all the credit for an England win, Paul Gascoigne seized the initiative minutes after McAllister’s miss. He ran on to a chip forward by Anderton, and on the edge of the box, flicked the ball over the stunned Hendrie, ran round him as he stumbled and volleyed the ball past his Rangers team-mate Goram in the Scotland goal.

The goal was voted the best ever scored at Wembley in a poll before the old stadium was demolished. Gazza said later: “People often ask me whether that’s the best goal I’ve ever scored, and it was a memorable one. It was one of the best, although I scored one or two in Italy that never get shown on TV which were just as good.

“In terms of what the goal meant though, you couldn’t beat it. I was playing in Scotland for Rangers at the time. I had taken a beasting about the game, so it was really sweet. And to have 70,000 odd fans singing your name is just unbelievable.”

Have a look at Gazza’s goal in the montage below and don’t forget to tune in, turn on and cop out with us tomorrow when we’ll have more football trivia for you.

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