Italia ’90 a World Cup to remember for Czechoslovak fans able to travel freely after fall of communism

With just days remaining until the World Cup kicks off in South Africa, football fever is beginning to grip fans around the globe. The Czech Republic failed to qualify this year, but many will have fond memories of the 1990 World Cup in Italy, when supporters from Czechoslovakia were finally able to travel freely to a major soccer tournament.

Italia ‘90 was an especially memorable World Cup for many Czechoslovak football fans. It began less than seven months after the fall of communism, meaning they were now free to travel and support their country abroad for the first time. The relative proximity of Italy also meant that large numbers could attend games at some of Europe’s most famous stadiums.

Czech team at the 1990 World Cup, photo: CTK

Midfielder Václav Němeček earned 60 international caps for Czechoslovakia and later the Czech Republic. He was in the squad in 1990 and has fond memories of that time.

“The atmosphere was great. It was immediately after the revolution so for the first time in many years people were able to come and support us. I couldn’t say exactly how many were there, but it was definitely in the area of 30,000. Previously there would have been only a few hundred fans at away games…It meant a lot to us players, because our fans created a kind of home atmosphere.”

The travelling supporters often had to make their weak Czechoslovak crowns go a long way in the land of the lira.

“I think that a lot of buses came from here – after the matches they turned around and drove straight back, without people spending the night in Italy. The range of prices of hotels in Italy at the time was broad, and those who organised their own trips found their own level.”

The 1990 World Cup was also a memorable one for the players, says Václav Němeček.

Václav Němeček

“The whole thing was a great experience for us. We stayed there for quite a long time as we got to the quarter-finals – we were in Italy for nearly a month. The staff at the hotels where we stayed were cheering for us. As well as supporting their own team, they supported us, which was pleasant.”

Italia ‘90 was the last major football tournament the Czechs and Slovaks contested as part of one state. The Czechs had to wait until 2006 to reach the tournament for the first time as an independent nation, while Slovakia is currently preparing to make its debut in South Africa.