12 July 1988 - An Award For Winning Awards

On 12 July 1988, UEFA recognized Juventus as the first club to win all three of UEFA's major competitions - the European Cup, the Cup Winners' Cup, and the UEFA Cup - by awarding them the UEFA Plaque.

One of the most successful clubs in Europe, Juventus won the first of their three UEFA Cups in 1977, defeating Athletic Bilbao over two legs by virtue of the away goal rule. In 1984, they won their only Cup Winners' Cup, beating Porto 2-1. One year later, they completed their triple crown, winning the first of two European Cups when they topped Liverpool 1-0 thanks to a Michel Platini penalty kick. Prior to that, Juve had twice finished as European Cup runners-up.

Only two other clubs - Ajax and Bayern Munich - have followed Juventus by winning all three of the major UEFA competitions, but Juventus remains the only club to win all of the confederation's official tournaments and cups, including the Intertoto Cup (1999) and the UEFA Super Cup (1984, 1996), as well as the joint UEFA-CONMEBOL Intercontinental Cup (1985, 1996).

21 June 1955 - A Legend In His Own Time (And Mind)

On 21 June 1955, renowned French midfielder Michel Platini was born in the tiny commune of Jœuf in northeastern France.

The three-time European Footballer of the Year and former captain of the French national team once told a reporter "I was born in football. My father was a very good football player, and as an Italian immigrant was always passionate about the game. Football is a fantastic and intelligent game which teaches us how to live together, how to share when you are better than others. Football is an extraordinary education for life."

He played his youth football with his hometown side, A.S. Jœuf, from 1966 to 1972, when he signed a senior contract with nearby A.S. Nancy. He won the first major trophy of his career with Nancy, defeating Nice in the 1978 Coupe de France Final. He also started to earn individual recognition, being named France Football Magazine's French Football Player of the Year in 1976 and 1977. He played for Nancy until 1979, then moved to Saint-Étienne, where he helped win the Ligue 1 title in 1981.

In 1982, Platini transferred to Juventus, where he would become one of the world's most distinguished footballers. When being introduced in Turin, the rarely-humble Platini told the crowd "I began by playing for the biggest club in the Lorraine region, went on to the biggest club in France and ended up with the biggest in the world." During his time with Juventus, he earned a string of individual and club honors, including two Serie A titles (1984, 1986), the European Cup Winners Cup (1984), and the European Cup (1985). He also led France to the 1984 European Championship trophy. Individually, he was named European Footballer of the Year in 1983, 1984, and 1985.

Platini retired from playing in 1987 and spent four years as manager of the French national team from 1988-92. He is currently president of UEFA.

2 June 1985 - Hooligans Get A Looooong Time Out

On 2 June 1985, the governing body of European football, UEFA, banned English clubs from participating in European competitions.

UEFA enacted the ban in response to the Heysel Stadium disaster four days prior. On 29 May, at the 1985 European Cup Final between Liverpool and Juventus at Heysel Stadium in Brussels, some Liverpool supporters breached a wall separating them from the Juventus supporters and charged at them. The Juventus fans retreated against a retaining wall, which collapsed, injuring approximately 600 people. 39 people died from their injuries.

The English Football Association, in response to pressure from Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, had already issued its own ban on 29 May to prevent English clubs from playing in Europe. UEFA's ban was thus not particularly surprising, nor even entirely unwelcome in England. In fact, English FA Secretary Ted Croker lauded UEFA's decision, stating "There are many of us who don't want to see us back in Europe until we have our own house in order."

Although UEFA initially announced that the ban was to be indefinite, it lasted only five years for all English clubs except Liverpool, who were banned for a sixth year due to the club's role in the disaster.

Since the ban was lifted, English clubs have won the European Cup/Champions League Final only three times - Manchester United in 1999 and 2008, and Liverpool in 2005 - though four other sides - Arsenal (2006), Liverpool (2007), Chelsea (2008), and Manchester United (2009) - have advanced to the Final.