1[Sporting Witness] The last great days of the Soviet Union In 1988, the Soviet Union made it to the final of Euro '88. The Soviet Union made it to the final of Euro '88 where they faced the Netherlands. It proved to be the side’s last great achievement before the breakup of the union. In 1988, the Soviet Union made it to the final of the European Championships where they faced competition favourites, the Netherlands. It proved to be the side’s last great achievement before the breakup of the union. Soviet defender Sergei Baltacha remembers coming on as a substitute to mark the world’s best player, Marco van Basten. He speaks to Tim Mansel. Released on: Saturday 15 June 2024