GOLDEN BALLS DEBUT

Well it wasn't quite the exact day but on the 1st september 1996 David Beckham made his international debut against another East European team, Moldova. Only five years independent, Moldova was a young nation, formed at the break up of the USSR and their side very much in its "infancy" too.

Glen Hoddle also made his managerial debut on the day and so did Andy Hinchcliffe of Everton, the first of his 7 caps.

Beckham went on to earn 115 caps, with the odd moment of controversy, but in the Moldovan capital Chisinau (formerly Kishinev) that evening, he was very much part of a dream. The 1998 World Cup was not far away and this qualifier played in front of 9,500 people should have been the start of a very successful run for the footballing artist Glen Hoddle, the juggler Gascoigne and his young pretender Golden Balls.

We all know things didn't quite work out that way, but to distract you from the historic disappointment, name these players in the England starting XI.

The game was a bit special nevertheless, and here are the goals. Martin Tyler still on the mic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NT2u1mkBA8A

On the 10th September 1997 the return tie was held at Wembley and England won 4-0. Brighton born comedian Tony Hawks (you would recognise him if you saw him) was in a drinking contest with fellow comedian Arthur Smith who bet Hawks that he couldn't beat every one of the Moldovan football XI at tennis. Don't ask!!?? The contest took place and resulted in a book and film titled "Playing the Moldovans at Tennis". The film was released in September 2012.