The last great days of the Soviet Union

In 1988, the Soviet Union made it to the final of the European Championships where they faced competition favourites, the Netherlands.

It proved to be the side’s last great achievement before the breakup of the union.

Soviet defender Sergei Baltacha remembers coming on as a substitute to mark the world’s best player, Marco van Basten.

He speaks to Tim Mansel.

(Photo: Sergei Baltacha tackling Holland's Ruud Gullit. Credit: Reuters)