The European View

Celtic’s three final appearances have had mixed fortunes, from the high of Lisbon to the low of Milan and heartache in the heat of Seville

- Joe Donnelly

EUROPEAN CUP FINAL

Estadio Nacional, Lisbon • May 25, 1967

Celtic 2 1 Inter Milan

Having overcome Zurich of Switzerland, Nantes of France, Vojvodina of Yugoslavia, and Dukla Prague of Czechoslovakia en route to the European Cup final of 1967, Jock Stein’s side faced Italian giants Inter Milan in the competition’s ultimate stage.

Beforehand, the match was considered an encounter of David and Goliath proportions – a perception that was underscored when Sandro Mazzola fired Inter in front from the penalty spot after just seven minutes.

Down 1-0 at the break, Celtic returned from the interval with a second wind, pinning back the Nerazzurri from kick-off, and drawing level courtesy of Tommy Gemmell on 63 minutes. Wave after wave of brave, attacking football followed from Stein’s men, before a shot from Bobby Murdoch in the 84th minute was redirected beyond Inter keeper Giuliano Sarti by Stevie Chalmers.

Celtic defended their 2-1 lead until the final whistle to clinch the 1967 European Cup, becoming the first British side to do in the process. History was made, the Lisbon Lions were born, and Liverpool manager Bill Shankly famously approached Jock Stein afterward to say: “John, you’re immortal now.”