YOU WIN
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CELTIC I
VIEW
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Words: Paul Cuddihy
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A European victory for Celtic
won on the toss of a coin
DOUBLE
DUTCH
IT was on November Z6,1969 that Celtic
knocked Benfica out of the European Cup in
the most unusual of circumstances - winning
by the toss of a coin.
While Jock Stein's side were understandably
delighted, and relieved, to have made it through to
the next round, the repercussions of that situation
heralded the introduction of the penalty shoot-out
not too long afterwards,
On the anniversary of this event, we look back on
a European victory that could, literally have gone
either way,
SETTING THE SCENE
Celtic and Benfica met in the second round of the
1969/70 European Cup, having safely negotiated
first round ties against FC Basel and Danish side, KB,
respectively, Both clubs had also established their
European pedigree in the competition during the
1960s, Benfica had won the European Cup in 1961
and '62, while they'd also been runners-up in 1963
and '65, while Celtic, course, had lifted the trophy in
1967 when they defeated Inter Milan 2-1 in Lisbon,
which was also home of Benfica. Both teams,
therefore, had genuine aspirations of lifting the
trophy this season.
CELTS IN PARADISE
The first leg of the tie at Celtic Park couldn't have
gone any better for the Hoops as they established a
3-0 lead. Tommy Gemmell gave Celtic the lead after
just two minutes, in front of an estimated 80,000
supporters, and just before half-time, Willie Wallace
made it 2-0 for Jock Stein's side, After the break,
as Benfica attempted to stem the constant tide of
green and white attacks, Harry Hood made it 3-0.
The scoreline didn't flatter Celtic, who could easily
have established an even greater lead, but at 3-0,
the Hoops fans were confident of progressing to the
quarter-finals of the competition.
PORTUGUESE MEN OF WAR
An experienced Celtic team travelled to Lisbon intent
on preserving their first-leg lead. Their main target,
of course, was to ensure that their name would be
in the draw for the last eight of the European Cup,
And things were going well for the first half-hour
of the match as they kept Benfica at bay. Then, on
36 minutes, Benfica's talismanic striker, Eusebio,
opened the scoring, Four minutes later, Graca made
it 2-0 for the home side. The second 45 minutes
L,
THE
A moment of
despair for
Benfica's hero
KstfïSÏÏÖ
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and Celtic toss out Benfica
C round ot Hm Euro pom Cup
Ihinki to J Dutch guilder
56
WEDNESDAY. NOVEMRPH I9_
'969 Price
