17th November 1945
Friendlies are rarely matches that stick in the memory but the one exception (assuming you were alove at the time) would be when Moscow Dynamo toured Britain in November 1945. The Second World War had just ended and our country wanted to be entertained again.... the footballers from far-off Russia did just that!! Unbeaten in their four friendly matches against Arsenal, Cardiff, Chelsea and Glasgow Rangers, they packed the grounds they played in, with many believing that over 100,000 were at Stamford Bridge and not many fewer being present at Ibrox. When they played Cardiff City at a packed Ninian Park on 17th November 1945 Moscow Dynamo produced a masterclass in a 10-1 victory and British football was never quite the same again.
- November 13, 1945: Chelsea 3-3 Dynamo Moscow
- November 17, 1945: Cardiff City 1-10 Dynamo Moscow
- November 21, 1945: Arsenal 3-4 Dynamo Moscow
- November 28, 1945: Rangers 2-2 Dynamo Moscow
The Russians brought flowers for their opposition! Peace.
On the same date in 1993, England needed to win a World Cup 1994 Qualifier against San Marino, at theirs! Note map below....San Marino has a population close to the count of a full Reebok Stadium! (The population of San Marino is near 35,000. So, 35,000 locals were expecting a thumping, as England had to win by 7 clear goals and hoped that Holland lost, if they were going to reach the "Finals". England team manager Graham Taylor "did not like that" when the "minnows" scored after barely 8 seconds, when a back pass from dear old Stuart Pearce didn't quite make it, as his team went 0-1 down. Of course, England's players found their feet and won 7-1, unfortunately this was not enough to raise their status in the "Qualfiying Group". Dear old Graham resigned six days later.
Norway
Netherlands
England
Poland
Turkey
San Marino
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