Sports Retro: Raith Rovers give Bayern a fright in Munich

This Saturday marks the 25th anniversary of that incredible night when the team from Kirkcaldy came close to pulling off one of European footba ll’s greatest- ever shocks.

Here w e take a look back to the Fife Free Press’s archive report of that unforgettable night in the Olympic Stadium:

“In one of the most theatrical of venues in world football, the quite stunning Olympic Stadium, Rovers belied their bit-part status with a virtuoso performance, and for 22 glorious minutes – half-time interval included – the biggest shock in Scottish football’s European history was definitely on the cards.

Goalk eeper Scott Thomson made two outstanding saves before 15 minutes had passed, foiling Andreas Herzog and Alexander Zickler.

Bayern always loo ked capable of breaching the remodelled Raith defence and it was no surprise, therefore, when Christian Nerlinger left Coyle for dead and the Rovers veteran was forced to scythe him down inside the box.

Papin had the ball on the spot almost before his team- mate hit the ground but he blasted the penalty well over .

The reprieve sparked fresh life into Raith, and when Lennon was fouled by Herzog 20 yards out, the Rovers midfielder immediately decided to take the free kick himself.

His attempted curler was sent past Oliver Khan by the unlucky Herzog, whose attempted headed clearance completely wrongfoo ted the German national keeper.

Euphoria swept up the giant slope of the stand behind the Raith goal as the visiting fans went absolutely berserk, but on 51 minutes Klinsmann netted the equaliser for Bayern, Zickler pouncing as Coyle slipped and crossing for the striker to almost casually fire the ball into the roof of the net.

The tie was killed off after 63 minutes when Thomson, who appeared to have one hand held by a Bayern attacker, missed an outswinging corner and, in the ensuing stramash, Babbel stuck out a foot to score from two yards.

Raith: Thomson, Tayor (S64 Kirkwood), Broddle, Coyle (S80 Mclnally), Dennis, Sinclair, Rougier (S60 Graham), Cameron, Crawford, Lennon, Dair. Subs (not used): Fridge (GK), McMillan.