On this day 26 July

Germany defeat the USSR

As they head towards a crushing final defeat...

 

Clearly back in the day, it was common for international tournaments to go on well into July. Imagine what Fergie and Wenger would say if that were to happen in this day and age? Not to mention that it would clash with the glam ties in the Intertoto Cup. But today in 1966, West Germany were once again doing what they did best, and squeezing through into international finals, when they defeated the USSR 2-1 infront of 38,000 people at Anfield. Goals from Haller and Beckenbauer were enough despite a late consolation from Porkujan, and the Germans marched into the World Cup final, with their opponents set to be decided the next day, when England played Portugal. Tune in tomorrow to find out what happened. As if you don't already know...

Elsewhere today in 1945, the peace-signing, cigar smoking hero we all know as Winston Churchill lost the general election only several months after he successfully led the country through World War Two. Labour's Clement Attlee was elected as Britain's new prime minister, though Churchill would return in 1951 at the age of 77, before resigning in 1955 due to ill health.

On a more peaceful note, it's all the best marra, as they say in Sunderland, to Arsenal full back Gael Clichy (23), actress Sandra Bullock (44) and Kaiser Soze Kevin Spacey (39), while English author Aldous Huxley would be a mighty 104 had he not joined the great Dystopian future society in the sky.