logo
episode-header-image
Jun 2024
10m 55s

The last great days of the Soviet Union

Bbc World Service
About this episode

In 1988, the Soviet Union made it to the final of the European Championships where they faced competition favourites, the Netherlands.

It proved to be the side’s last great achievement before the breakup of the union.

Soviet defender Sergei Baltacha remembers coming on as a substitute to mark the world’s best player, Marco van Basten.

He speaks to Tim Mansel.

(Photo: Sergei Baltacha tackling Holland's Ruud Gullit. Credit: Reuters)

Up next
Today
When Greg Louganis hit his head on a diving board
At the 1988 Seoul Olympics, in South Korea, Greg Louganis hit his head on the springboard. It was during the preliminary rounds while he was attempting a reverse 2½ pike.It caused a gash to his head, with blood trickling down his head. At the time, only he and his coach Ron O'Bri ... Show More
9m 38s
Oct 4
The first Esports tournament
In October 1972, the first ever Esports tournament was held at California's Stanford University. Now a multi-billion dollar industry, thousands of people watch tournaments all around the world, but competitive video gaming was in its infancy in the early 70s.Called the 'Intergala ... Show More
10m 41s
Sep 27
Between two giants: Thrilla in Manila’s referee
On October 1 1975, the third and final fight between bitter rivals Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, known as the Thrilla in Manila, took place in the sweltering heat of the Philippines’ capital. The bout went down in history as one of the most brutal and dramatic in boxing. Carlos P ... Show More
10m 1s
Recommended Episodes
Dec 2022
Ferenc Puskas: The Greatest Striker
Hungary's Ferenc Puskás is considered “football’s first international superstar.” There's even a trophy named after him for the player who scores the most 'aesthetically significant  goal'. In hindsight, his journey from national hero to fugitive and hero again was already writte ... Show More
49m 51s
Mar 2021
The dirtiest chess match in history
In 1978, the World Chess Championship between the Soviet champion and convinced communist, Anatoly Karpov, and the dissident and defector, Viktor Korchnoi, turned into one of the most infamous clashes in the history of the game. At a time of peak Cold War tension, the two players ... Show More
9m 2s
Jun 2024
The 2024 European Championships Start Today!
Scotland captain Andy Robertson believes this team has a great chance to go and make some history ahead of tonight's Euro 2024 curtain raiser against Germany, and wants his side to have 'no regrets' after qualifying for back-to-back European Championships. The former Germany midf ... Show More
15m 22s
Dec 2022
Looking ahead to the World Cup final
Will Lionel Messi finally lift the World Cup trophy? We look ahead to France v Argentina and hear from Messi's former team-mate Pablo Zabaleta. Mani Djazmi and Pat Nevin are joined by L'Equipe journalist Loïc Tanzi and Argentinean broadcaster Francisco Cánepa ahead of the final. ... Show More
45m 37s
Sep 2023
How to win the World Cup - 1995 Joel Stransky
This time on 'How to win the World Cup' Will Kelleher chats to the former Springbok Joel Stransky. One the most iconic rugby and sporting moments of all time happened at the 1995 World Cup, as Nelson Mandela handed over the William Web Ellis trophy on home to South Africa. Strans ... Show More
32m 32s