50 Legendary Matches: Paris' European glory!

History is always being written. After having eliminated Parma and Deportivo La Coruna in the previous rounds, Les Rouge et Bleu were the favourites in the final against the Austrian Cup winners Rapid Vienna. However, the club from the capital came into the game having lost all hope of winning the Ligue 1 championship that looked at one point like it was a sure thing. The club sent the team into a special commando training camp in Hendaye, in Basque country, to prepare in ideal conditions for the Cup Winners Cup.

On the day of the final, 15,000 Paris fans made the short trip north to Brussels to support their team in a sold-out King Baudouin Stadium that hosted 37,500 people that evening. Luis Fernandez had a full squad to choose from for the match, with Patrice Loko and Youri Djorkaeff in attack.

I told him: "Hit it hard!"

Bruno N'Gotty took the first shot of the game, without testing Konsel (3'). But Paris was dealt a serious blow in the 12th minute when Raí had to leave the field of play after a horror tackle from Schöttel. Dely Valdes replaced him, but Les Rouge et Bleu were still in control of the game. Paris stepped up on the accelerator and Djorkaeff twice forced Konsel into action, first with a chip (17'), then with a deflected shot that flew just above the Austrian keeper's goal (20').

Youri, who had been a constant threat, won a free-kick 30 metres out. Bruno N'Gotty stepped up and the ball flew into the back of the net, as Paris took the lead (1-0, 29')! At half-time, Paris Saint-Germain held a deserved lead, but failed get that second goal, despite the best efforts of Djorkaeff, who hit the post after taking advantage of Patrice Loko’s run (58').

Paris hadn’t killed off the contest and the Austrians grew in confidence and desperation, but found themselves up against a great Bernard Lama in the Paris goal. Lama twice denied Heraf (64', 73') before saving at the feet of Jancker (90'), and then turned aside Barisic’s header (90') to keep his side in front. Loko finally got the second goal, only to see it correctly ruled out for offside. The final whistle confirmed Paris’ victory as Les Rouge et Bleu became the only side ever to win the UEFA Cup Winners Cup.

Youri Djorkaeff, as he recounts his memoires, makes no secret of his delight: "When Bruno N'Gotty scored, it was me that usually take the free-kicks, but I thought it was a long way out. I say to him, 'hit it hard!'". The rest is history... At the final whistle, I felt something very strong, deep inside. It was not a thrill or a release, but a strong sense of accomplishment. The celebration with the fans was so fantastic."

The day after the coronation, it was a huge party in Paris. After a short night, Les Parisiens were received at Town Hall by the Mayor of the time, Jean Tiberi. In the afternoon, the players and staff were invited to the Elysée Palace by the President of the Republic, Jacques Chirac. Then, after these official meetings, they headed to the Champs-Elysées where 50,000 fans awaited their heroes before celebrating on the pitch at the Parc des Princes in the evening.

PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN 1-0 RAPID VIENNA (H-T: 1-0)
UEFA Cup Winners Cup - Final
Wednesday 8 May 1996 – King Baudouin Stadium (Brussels)
Referee: Mr Pairetto (Italy)
Goal: N’Gotty 28
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN: Lama (c) - Roche, N’Gotty, Le Guen- Fournier (Llacer, 77’), Bravo, Raï (Dely Valdes, 12’), Guérin, Colleter - Loko, Djorkaeff. Coach: Luis Fernandez.
RAPID VIENNA: Konsel (c) - Schöttel, Ivanov, Hatz, Heraf- Kühbauer, Stögger, Guggi, Marasek - Stumpf (Barisic, 46’), Jancker. Coach: Ernst Dokupil.