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1987 FIFA U-20 World Cup, The Rise of Yugoslavia’s Golden Generation

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The 1987 FIFA U-20 World Cup belonged to Yugoslavia, powered by the country’s golden generation before its breakup in the mid-1990s.

 That team was not defined by one ethnicity alone, but by a blend of Serbian, Croatian and Bosnian talent. Robert Prosinečki, Robert Jarni, Zvonimir Boban, Predrag Mijatović, Branko Brnović and prolific striker Davor Šuker combined to deliver Yugoslavia’s last international title. All of them would go on to shine at senior level, later representing the successor nations that emerged from the Balkan conflicts of the 1990s.

Key Facts – 1987 Tournament

 The sixth edition of the U-20 World Cup carried its own share of unique stories:

* Staged from 10 to 25 October 1987, with 16 teams split into four groups.

* Matches were played in Concepción, Antofagasta, Valparaíso and the capital Santiago.

* Europe’s six representatives included the four semi-finalists from the 1986 UEFA U-18 Championship—winners East Germany, runners-up Italy, West Germany and Scotland—plus Bulgaria and Yugoslavia, who advanced through the play-offs by defeating Belgium and Romania respectively.

* Chile 1987 was the last FIFA tournament featuring East Germany, who ceased to exist following reunification in 1990.

* It was also the last edition won by an Eastern European side until 2015, when Serbia, a successor state of Yugoslavia, claimed its first title.

Yugoslavia Foil The German Duo

 Yugoslavia were far from favourites. They only reached the finals via a play-off, yet once in Chile they produced a fearless campaign. Their journey began with a statement—beating hosts Chile 4-2 in the group opener. In the knockout rounds, Mirko Jozić’s side stunned defending champions Brazil 2-1, then ousted East Germany, the reigning European champions, by the same scoreline in the semi-final.

That victory denied the prospect of an all-German final. West and East Germany had not met in an official match since the group stage of the 1974 senior World Cup, and both had appeared on course for a showdown. West Germany cruised through their group with three wins, edged Scotland on penalties in the quarter-finals, and then dismantled the hosts 4-0 in the last four.

The final in Santiago was tense and tight. Zvonimir Boban struck in the 85th minute, only for West Germany’s Marcel Witeczek to equalise two minutes later. Ironically, when the match went to penalties, it was Witeczek who missed the decisive kick. Yugoslavia celebrated a historic triumph, their last as a united footballing nation.

Tournament Highlights

 Group Stage final standings (The one in bold advanced to the knockout stage)

Grup A

Grup B

Grup C

Grup D

Yugoslavia

Italy

East Germany

West Germany

Chile

Brasil

Scotland

Bulgaria

Australia

Canada

Colombia

USA

Togo

Nigeria

Bahrain

Saudi Arabia

** = penalties

* = extra time

Quarterfinal:

-          Yugoslavia vs Brasil 2-1

-          Italy vs Chile 0-1

-          East Germany vs Bulgaria 2-0

-          West Germany vs Scotland 1-1 (4-3)**

Semifinal:

-          Yugoslavia vs East Germany 2-1

-          Chile vs West Germany 0-4

 

Third place Playoff : East Germany vs Chile 1-1 (3-1)**

 Final: Yugoslavia vs West Germany 1-1 (5-4)**

 Top scorer: Marcel Witeczek (West Germany) – 7 gol

MVP: Robert Prosinecki (Yugoslavia)

 

From Youth to Stardom

 At the 1987 U-20 World Cup, many of the champions’ brightest talents carried their form into distinguished senior careers. But they were not alone. West Germany and East Germany also produced future icons in Andy Möller and Matthias Sammer.

Sammer would later switch allegiance to the unified German national team, eventually becoming a teammate of Möller for both club and country. Together, they were central figures in Germany’s triumph at Euro 1996 and Borussia Dortmund’s Champions League victory in 1997.

Here is a selection of players from the 1987 U-20 World Cup who went on to become key figures at senior level:

PLAYERS

World Cup edition (senior)

Javier Margas (Chile)

1998

Luis Musrri (Chile)

1998

Fabian Estay (Chile)

1998

Branko Brnovic (Yugoslavia)

1998

Robert Jarni (Yugoslavia/Croatia)

1990, 1998, 2002

Igor Stimac (Croatia)

1998

Zvonimir Boban (Croatia)

1998

Robert Prosinecki (Yugoslavia/Croatia)

1990, 1998, 2002

Pedrag Mijatovic (Yugoslavia)

1998

Davor Suker (Croatia)

1998, 2002

Miguel Guerrero (Colombia)

1990

Wilmer Cabrera (Colombia)

1998

Wilson Perez (Colombia)

1994

Oscar Cordoba (Colombia)

1994

Willy Okpara (Nigeria)

1994

Bill McKinlay (Scotland)

1998

Emil Kostadinov (Bulgaria)

1994, 1998

Illian Kiriakov (Bulgaria)

1994

Khalid Al Muwalid (Saudi)

1994, 1998

Ahmed Jamil Madani (Saudi)

1994, 1998

Mathias Sammer (Germany)

1994

Andreas Moeller (Germany)

1990, 1994, 1998

Tony Meola (USA)

1990, 1994

Jeff Agoos (USA)

1998, 2002

Marcelo Balboa (USA)

1994

Kasey Keller (USA)

1990, 1998, 2002, 2006

Bismarck (Brasil)

1990

Cesar Sampaio (Brasil)

1998

Andre Cruz (Brasil)

1998

Thompson Oliha (Nigeria)

1994

 

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