CCCP 1980's Maglia Storica Calcio

Following a disappointing period between 1974 and 1980 when the Soviet Union failed to qualify for any major tournament finals, the following decade saw the Soviets resume their 1960s role as one of the more powerful international nations in the world game.

A talented if not entirely harmonious side under Konstantin Beskov reached the second round of the 1982 World Cup, but it was a much more impressive side coached by Valery Lobanovsky and almost entirely modeled upon Dynamo Kiev that came closer to achieving greatness four years later in Mexico. Unluckily defeated in the round of 16 by Belgium, the Soviet Union bounced back with a brilliant campaign at Euro '88 that took them all the way to the Final - and defeat - against a fine Dutch side.

That campaign stands as the most suitable memorial for the Soviet Union national team at its best, certainly more so than the disappointing 1990 World Cup which was the last played by a squad under the united Soviet banner.