On this day in the Euros, June 16: Suker’s super scoop shames Schmeichel

Croatia entered Euro 96 amid excitement and expectation. Gaining UEFA and FIFA membership in 1993, they had easily qualified for a tournament at the first attempt, topping a group including USA 94 finalists Italy. 

Wearing colourful sahovnica (chessboard) shirts – a traditional Croatian design which celebrated its half-millennium during qualification – were a superb crop of players, many of whom had won the 1987 World Youth Championships with the Yugoslavia U20s then moved west to major clubs.

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Gary Parkinson is a freelance writer, editor, trainer, muso, singer, actor and coach. He spent 14 years at FourFourTwo as the Global Digital Editor and continues to regularly contribute to the magazine and website, including major features on Euro 96, Subbuteo, Robert Maxwell and the inside story of Liverpool's 1990 title win. He is also a Bolton Wanderers fan.