About this episode

Patrik Berger recounts the Czech Republic's surprising journey in their first major football tournament at Euro 96.

In 1996, the Czech Republic played in their first major football tournament since the country's formation three years earlier. The unfancied team went on an unexpected run in the competition. One of the stars of the team, Patrik Berger, tells Guy Kilty how it all happened. Eye-witness accounts brought to life by archive and testimony. Sporting Witness is for those fascinated by sporting history. We take you to the events that have shaped the sports world through the eyes of the people who were there. For nine minutes, you become a fan in the stands as we take you back in time to examine memorable victories and agonising defeats from all over the world. You’ll hear from people who have achieved sporting immortality, or those who were there as incredible sporting moments unfolded. Recent episodes explore the forgotten football Women’s World Cup, the plasterer who fought a boxing legend, international football’s biggest ever beating and the man who swam the Amazon river. We look at the lives of some of the most famous F1 drivers, tennis players and athletes as well as people who’ve had ground-breaking impact in their chosen sporting field, including: the most decorated Paralympian…

People in this episode

Host: Guy Kilty

Guest: Patrik Berger

Topics covered

• Czech Republic football
• Euro 96
• sporting history
• unexpected victories
• football tournaments

Keywords

• Czech Republic
• Euro 96
• football
• Patrik Berger
• sporting history
• tournament
• unexpected run

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: BBC World Service

Places: Czech Republic

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