Thirty years ago, Norwich City created history by defeating Bayern Munich at the Olympic Stadium. To commemorate this momentous occasion, several players from that game spoke to Pink Un about their memories and reflections. Chris Sutton recalled feeling confident and not nervous, as nobody gave them a chance against Bayern. Mark Bowen remembered the pundits predicting a 10-0 defeat, but he reminded them that Bayern went on to win the Bundesliga that year. Rob Newman expressed his disbelief at the magnitude of their victory and the feat of competing against World Cup winners. Bryan Gunn mentioned that they were called ‘country bumpkins’ by the press, but they proved their worth over two legs.
Ian Crook stated that while they did not expect to win, they did not expect to be rolled over either. He believed that Norwich City was a good side that didn’t give themselves enough credit, as they consistently finished in the top five or six. Gunn mentioned the experience of playing on foreign soil, which was rare for most of the players. Despite the lack of experience, they came away with a positive result. Bowen jokingly claimed that his goal was better than Jeremy Goss’ volley but admitted it was an instinctive pass that led to Goss’ goal. Crook praised Goss’ technique and said the goal will go down in history. Sutton described the goal as a ‘real wow moment’. Gunn remembered the goal celebration and the fans’ joy.
Bowen emphasized the camaraderie among the players and their confidence during that time. Gunn mentioned the naivety and confidence they had as a team, believing they could get a result wherever they played. The previous year, they were third in the league in January and were considered the second-best team in England at the time. Gunn described the game against Bayern as a combination of great tactics, defensive play, hard work, and a bit of luck. Crook remembered the fear they felt coming back on after half time, as Bayern had scored just before the break. Gunn highlighted his save against Valencia and the fact that he riled up Lothar Matthaus and got him booked as part of the gameplan. The save was one of his best and ultimately led to their victory.
Overall, the players reflected on the historic night in Munich with a sense of pride and astonishment. They acknowledged the magnitude of their achievement and the disbelief felt by many at the time. The victory against Bayern Munich remains a defining moment in Norwich City’s history, and the players involved will forever be remembered for their incredible feat.
