FR
EN
30 March 2018
The Toulon Tournament’s most memorable moments : 1982, the emergence of the Koeman brothers (2/16)
Ahead of the 46th edition of the Toulon Tournament, which will be held from 26th May to 9th June, we’ve delved into the archives to relive some of the most memorable moments in the tournament history. Every Tuesday and Friday, we look back at the most thrilling facts provided by the competition. Today, we talk about the participation of the Koeman brothers at the Toulon Tournament 1982.
Finalists of the 1974 and 1978 World Cups, semi-finalists of the 1976 Euro: Netherlands were clearly a strong nation of international football at this time. Inevitably, the presence of Dutch new generation at the Toulon Tournament 1982 intrigued more than a observer.
The spectators who filled the stands this year at Toulon and Draguignan had the opportunity to attend to the emergence of one of the most emblematic football siblings: the Koeman brothers.
If Yougoslavia and Czech Republic made the headlines of newspapers then, reaching the final of the Tournament, the Dutch squad did a honourable path by clinching the third spot of the competition
Koeman brothers significantly contributed to this display. Erwin and his younger brother Ronald were two of the key players of Netherlands team, the first one was also the « Oranje » captain!
Game sheet of Yougoslavia-Netherlands game during Toulon Tournament 1982: Ronald Koeman wears the number 2 shirt , his brother Erwin number 6
We know what happened next: six years later, Koeman brothers won together 1988 Euro, the only major trophy clinched so far by Netherlands. If Euro was he highest point of the Erwin Koeman's career, his brother Ronald kept shining for the rest of his.
Winner of 1988 Champions League with PSV Eindhoven a few weeks before Euro with Netherlands, Ronald Koeman entered once and for all into Champions League history on 1992: during the final between Barcelona FC and Sampdoria, the legendary Dutch defender netted an unstoppable free-kick during extra-time and offered to the Catalan football club its first Champions League!
Two years later, Koeman reinforced his legend and was the top scorer of 1994 Champions League with eight goals: a staggering display when we remember Ronald Koeman was a defensive player as he alternated between centre-back and defensive midfielder.
What golden destiny...
READ ALSO :
The Toulon Tournament’s most memorable moments : 1975, the Argentina of Daniel Passarella clinched the title (1/16)
Amayes Brahmi
