The
Olympics resumed after an eight-year break following the bloodshed of World War
I. These games were to be held at Antwerp in Belgium.
Football
had now taken hold of much of the European continent. These 1920 Football
Olympics in fact would see the International debuts of Nations such as Spain,
Greece, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia and Egypt.
The
African representatives Egypt would be the only non-European Nation taking
part.
Despite
the end of the War, Political animosity still lingered on. The British Home
Nations had left FIFA since other Nations did not agree to boycott Germany and
Austria as they had. They nevertheless agreed to participate.
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| Photo From: 90 Joer Letzebuerger Footballfederatioun 90 ans Federation Luxembourgeoise de Football |
The
United States protested Great Britain’s entry since they had left FIFA. Belgium
and France also joined in the protest but it went no further and in any case
the USA did not participate.
 |
Photo
From: Amberes-Alli Nacio La Furia Espanola, Author Felix Martialay
(The Belgian Royal Family at the opening of the
Games) |
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Photo
From: Calcio 2000, Issue 33, August 2000
(Inauguration ceremony) |
There
were absentees (un-invitees) such as Germany, (still suffering the effects of
Military Defeat of World War I) and Austria / Hungary (an Empire now broken
into many Nations). In addition, Russia (soon to be the Soviet Union) was still
engaged in a Civil War en route to full Bolshevik takeover.
 |
Photo
From: Amberes-Alli Nacio La Furia Espanola, Author Felix Martialay
(the opening of the Games) |
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Photo
From: Amberes-Alli Nacio La Furia Espanola, Author Felix Martialay
(the opening of the Games) |
The
defending Champions of the last two Editions, Great Britain were present along
with other European Nations such as France, Italy, Denmark, Norway, Sweden,
Spain, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Greece, Luxembourg, Holland and the Hosts
Belgium (And Africa’s Egypt).
 |
Photo
From: Amberes-Alli Nacio La Furia Espanola, Author Felix Martialay
(the opening of the Games) |
 |
Photo
From: Amberes-Alli Nacio La Furia Espanola, Author Felix Martialay
(Spanish Team, the opening of the Games) |
Poland
and Switzerland should have also been present but bowed out in the last minute.
The
set-up of the Tournament was somewhat unconventional. It was what was referred
to as the ‘Bergvall System’, where teams that were eliminated in the earlier
rounds, would then play one another in a ‘separate’ parallel Tournament for the
purposes of ranking all in the end.
The
Tournament would have to be completed in a speedy manner and would last just
six days.
Besides
their medals, the winners could choose a gift as well (Either a vase, a chimney
cover or a table service).
It
was still the era of amateurism and it reflected on the Team’s preparations as
well as the Tournament format.
The
Belgian hosts did not have a training camp nor a base during the Olympics. The
players would actually return home at the end of each day. They were paid 10
Belgian Francs per day for pocket money, which was primarily used for
transport. To physically train the Team, Belgium’s Scottish Manager William
Sturrock Maxwell had organized trainings in four different cities. On Tuesdays,
the team would train at Antwerp, followed by Liege / Bruges (on alternate
Wednesdays) and Brussels on Thursdays.
For
the Dutch, the Training regimen included the avoidance of smoking and alcohol.
In addition, curfew was set between 10:30 and 11:00 PM for a minimum sleep of
eight to nine hours per day.
It
was the squads’ lodging that would become a source of tension. The Federation
Officials had been housed with good accommodations, while the players were
placed in a Dutch Navy Ship ‘Hollandia’.
The
Tournament’s First Round of matches took place on August 28th, 1920.
France and Belgium were assured of advancing as their opponents Switzerland
(for the French) and Poland (for Belgium) forfeited.
The
Financial cost of participation was too much to bear for the Swiss as a result
they did not participate. As far as Poland, they just did not show up.
The
two International Debutants of Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia faced off at
Antwerp’s Deurne,
Bosuil Stadion at 10:00 AM.
The
Yugoslavians suffered a setback in the 13th minute, when Rudolf
Rupec (A former Austria International) was forced to leave the field injured.
In those pre-substitution days, they were forced to play with one man short.
Czechoslovakia
soundly defeated Yugoslavia (7-0) with both Antonin Janda and Jan Vanik scoring
hat-tricks.
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Photo
From: Yugoslavia’s International Matches, 1920-2003, Vasa Stojkovic, Dragan
Krstic
(Yugoslavia
squad, August 28, 1920, Olympics, Czechoslovakia 7-Yugoslavia 0)
Note: Rudolf Rupec standing on the left had left
the field injured early in the match, when this photograph was taken at end of
match he had already changed |
At
another venue at Antwerp (Kiel-Olympisch Stadion) (15:30 PM Kickoff), the biggest
surprise of the First Round took place, with Norway defeating the favored Great
Britain side (3-1). Einar Gundersen scored a double and Norway Captain Gunnar
Andersen received much praise their performances.
For
the British their goalscorer was Welshman Fred Nicholas, who was also the only
non-English member.
 |
Photo
From: IFFHS-Norge (1908-1940), Suomi
(1911-1940)-Essti (1920-1940)
(Norway’s
Einar ‘Jeja’
Gundersen)
(September 20, 1896-October 29,
1962) |
 |
Photo
From: IFFHS-Norge (1908-1940), Suomi
(1911-1940)-Essti (1920-1940)
(Norway’s Gunnar Andersen)
(March
18, 1890-April 25, 1968)
|
 |
Photo
From: A-Laget, Norges 25 storste fotballspillere gjennom tidene, Authors Svein
Saeter, Johan L. Oiestad
(August 28, 1920, Olympics, Norway 3-England 1) |
 |
Photo
From: A-Laget, Norges 25 storste fotballspillere gjennom tidene, Authors Svein
Saeter, Johan L. Oiestad
(Norway squad, August 28, 1920, Olympics, Norway
3-England 1) |
Following
this match at the same venue (17:30 PM kickoff), in a complete mismatch Sweden
demolished International debutants of Greece (9-0) with Herbert Karlsson
scoring five of the goals.
The
Greeks had made a six-day journey to arrive at Belgium. They had taken a boat
to Marseille, France and afterwards arrived by train going through Paris and
Brussels before arriving at Antwerp.
 |
Photo
From: IFFHS-Olynpic Football Tournaments (1908-1936)
(Sweden squad, August 28, 1920, Olympics, Sweden
9-Greece 0) |
The
inexperienced Greeks were also forced to contend with the injury to Nikolaos Kaloudis early in the second half, that had
left them one man short for much of the match.
Greece’s
Apostolos Nikolaidis also
competed in the decathlon in these Olympics.
Greece
would not play another International match until 1929.
 |
Photo
From: IFFHS-Olynpic Football Tournaments (1908-1936)
(August 28, 1920, Olympics, Sweden 9-Greece 0) |
At
Brussels’ Stade Joseph Marien (La Butte) (15:30 PM Kickoff, some sources show
14:30 PM), Spain made its debut in the International Arena by taking on the
much more experienced Denmark featuring Nils Middleboe (He would become
Chelsea’s first ever foreign player).
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Photo
From: IFFHS, Danmark (1908-1940), Sverige (1908-10940)
(Denmark’s
Nils Middleboe (October 5, 1887-September 21, 1976))
(October 5, 1887-September 21, 1976) |
The
Spanish starting eleven featured eight Basques and featuring a nineteen year
old goalkeeper named Ricardo Zamora.
At
the start of the match, the Referee noticed that Zamora was wearing a blue
Shirt like the Danish opponents. He asked him to change and he wore a White
Shirt.
The
Spanish also wore Blue shorts as the Danes were wearing white shorts. They
chose to retain the blue shorts from then onwards.
The
physical Danes started better but slowly Spain got into the match.
The
Spanish scored a goal in the first half by Patricio, which was ruled out (offside).
Patricio
would go on to score Spain’s winner (and the first ever goal of the Spanish
National Team) in the 54th minute.
 |
Photo
From: Amberes-Alli Nacio La Furia Espanola, Author Felix Martialay
(Spain’s
first ever goalscorer Patricio Arabolaza)
(March 17, 1893-March 12, 1935) |
The
Spanish goalkeeper Ricardo Zamora entered Football folklore with his superb
performance that day and would go on to become of the goalkeeping legends of
the 20s and 30s. He received a standing ovation at the end of the match and was
lifted over shoulders.
Later
at the same venue (17:30 PM kickoff), Holland defeated Luxembourg (3-0) with a
double from Ber Groosjohan.
The
Dutch included four debutants: Kuipers,
van Rapaprd, Groosjohan and Jacob Bulder.
Eight of the Luxembourg side
were also earning their first ever caps.
Holland’s Oscar van Rappard
also competed in the 110 m hurdling (but eliminated in the preliminaries).
 |
Photo
From: de Internationals, de Historie van Oranje, Authors Matty Verkamman, Henri
van der Steen, John Volkers
(Holland’s
Ber Groosjohan)
(June 16, 1897-August 5, 1971) |
 |
Photo
From: de Internationals, de Historie van Oranje, Authors Matty Verkamman, Henri
van der Steen, John Volkers
(Holland’s
Oscar van Rappard)
(April 2, 1896-April 18, 1962) |
Still
on the same day (15:30 PM Kickoff), Italy took on Egypt at Gent.
They
had made little preparations for the Tournament. They had a lack of funds and a
small pool of players. The team assembled in haste had played just one friendly
vs. club side Pro Vercelli.
Italy had Adolfo Baloncieri one of the
greatest Italian players of the 1910s and 20s. He would later be part of the
Legendary trio at Torino consisting on him, Julio Libonatti and Gino Rossetti.
He would also have a long career as a Manager in the 1930s through the 60s.
 |
Photo
From: Azzurri, Storia della Nazionale di calcio tre volte campioni del Mondo,
1910-1983
(Italy’s
Adolfo Baloncieri)
(July 27, 1897-July 23, 1986) |
Adolfo
Baloncieri and his cousin Guglielmo Brezzi scored Italy’s goals in a (2-1) win
over an Egyptian side Managed and Captained by Hussein Hegazi.
The
Quarterfinals took place on the following day, August 29th. At
Antwerp’s Deurne, Bosuil Stadion, Holland took on Sweden in a thrilling match.
Following
their first match vs. Luxembourg, the Dutch squad’s return ship to Antwerp had
been delayed until midnight and the squad arrived late to have proper sleep and
rest. Their match vs. Sweden was scheduled at 10 AM.
The
other quarterfinals were scheduled at 15:30 PM (staggered one hour in between).
The
match ended (4-4) in regulation time. At one point Sweden were leading (3-1).
Sweden’s
Herbert Karlsson scored two more goals but missed a penalty kick in the 70th
minute.
The
match had to go extra time, where Holland’s Jan de Natris scored Holland’s
winner in a (5-4) win.
The
Refereeing of the Czech Josef Fanta was questioned by both sides. At halftime,
a Dutch Journalist even slipped a note questioning his competence. At the end
of the match, Sweden lodged an Official protest.
Sweden
even suggested a rematch with the Dutch at Amsterdam but Holland refused since
it would undermine the Olympics.
 |
Photo
From: Oranje Toen En Nu, Deel 2, 1914-1926, 2001-2002, Author Matty Verkamman
(August 29, 1920, Olympics, Holland 5-Sweden 4) |
At
Antwerp’s
Kiel-Olympisch
Stadion, France took on Italy. The Italian were tired after playing the
previous day, while the French were fresher and well rested after their
opponents Switzerland had forfeited.
Due
to lack of funds, the Italians were forced to get to the stadium by tram. Some
players were even late in reaching the Stadium.
The
French had trained for two weeks prior to the Games. Their Manager was the
Englishman Fred Penteland, who preferred to manage players individually rather
than collectively.
For
the French Huot, Petit and Boyer were earning their first caps. Rene Petit had
been born in France to a French
father and Spanish mother, but lived and played in Spain for Madrid FC and Real
Union. He had even declined to play for the Spanish National Team. At the time,
Petit was doing his military service at Bordeaux.
 |
Photo
From: Amberes-Alli Nacio La Furia Espanola, Author Felix Martialay
(France’s
Rene Petit)
(October 8, 1899-October 14, 1989) |
For the Italians, Pio
Ferraris and Giustiniano Marucco earned their first caps.
France
led to a (2-0) lead with goals by Henri Bard and Jean Boyer. Guglielmo Brezzi
pulled one goal back for Italy through a penalty kick.
Early
in the second half, Bard scored his second goal and France’s third for a final
score of (3-1). Remarkably, France would not defeat Italy again until 1982 (62
years).
 |
Photo
From: L’Equipe, L’Equipe de France de Football, la Belle Histoire
(Team Captains Henri Bard and Renzo de Vecchi,
August 29, 1920, Olympics, France 3-Italy 1) |
 |
Photo
From: L’Equipe, L’Equipe de France de Football, la Belle Histoire
(August 29, 1920, Olympics, France 3-Italy 1) |
Later
at the same venue, the Belgian hosts made their debut in the Tournament by
taking on Spain.
Three
players made their debut for Belgium that day, goalkeeper Jan De Bie and Andre Fierens and Felix
Balyu.
The
Spanish had to make changes from previous match as some were injured from the
encounter the previous day.
The
Spanish Captain Belauste, Samitier, Sesumaga and Otero were missing. The
Spanish selectors gave four first caps to Vallana, Artola, Sancho and Vazquez.
Zamora’s
heroics on the previous day had convinced the reserve goalkeeper Augustin
Eizaguirre that he would not see any action. He decided to return to Spain.
The
normally red wearing Belgian took the field wearing white.
Robert
Coppèe had a
magnificent match and scored a hat trick in Belgium’s (3-1) win.
However,
the Belgian public had been less than satisfied and had showed hostility at the
selection of a number of players at the expense of Antwerp based players. The
crowd even resorted to applauding the Spanish Team to make their discontent
known and even threatened to enter the pitch.
 |
Photo
From: IFFHS-Olynpic Football Tournaments (1908-1936)
(August 29, 1920, Olympics, Belgium 3-Spain 1) |
 |
Photo
From: Seleccion Espanola de Futbol (1920-2016), Author Julio A. Larry Sierra
(Ricardo Zamora unable to stop Robert Coppèe’s goal, this is the first ever goal conceded by the
Spanish National Team,
August 29, 1920, Olympics, Belgium 3-Spain 1) |
At
Brussels’ (La Butte), Czechoslovakia were once again involved in a high scoring
match. They defeated the surprising Norwegians (4-0) with Antonin Janda scoring
another hat trick.
For
the Czechs, Karel Steiner and
Emil Seifert earned their first caps.
The
Semifinals took place two days later on August 31st. At Antwerp’s Kiel-Olympisch Stadion (15:30 PM
Kickoff), France took on Czechoslovakia.
The
Czechs were missing the injured Vaclav Pilat, which led to an opportunity for
Jan Placek to earn his first cap.
 |
Photo
From: L’Equipe, L’Equipe de France de Football, la Belle Histoire
(Leon Huot and Antonin Janda, August 31, 1920,
Olympics, France 1-Czechoslovakia 4) |
Czechoslovakia
took the lead in the first half through Otakar Škvajn Mazal. He would go on to score a hat trick in a (4-1)
Czechoslovakia win and helped them advance to the final.
In the second half, the Dutch
Referee Johannes Mutters took the unusual step of removing his Czech Linesman
Raca. He was showing clear bias against the French by constantly raising his
flag when France were attacking.
The French were heavily
criticized by their own press (which now included former player Gabriel Hanot),
most notably the likes of Bard, Nicolas and Dewaquez.
 |
Photo
From: L’Equipe, L’Equipe de France de Football, la Belle Histoire
(France’s
Henri Bard)
(April 29, 1892-January 26, 1951) |
Later on at the same venue
(17:30 PM Kickoff), the host Belgium took on neighbors Holland.
After the protests from their
own fans in the previous match Belgium replaced three members of its starting
lineup and inserted replacements.
Count Joseph d’Oultremont
(President of selection committee) took out Felix Balyu, Captain Fernand Nisot and Georges Hebdin.
The Walloon Mathieu Bragard came into the squad
for Balyu. While Hebdin and Nisot were
replaced with locally based duo of Henri Larnoe and Dèsirè Bastin.
 |
Photo
From: IFFHS-Belgique-Belgie (1904-1940)
(Belgium’s
Rik Larmoe)
(May 18, 1897-February 22, 1978) (according to
IFFHS, 1976) |
It was in the second half
that Henri Larnoe (one of the new inclusions) gave Belgium the lead. Louis van
Hege doubled the lead less than 10 minutes later.
Minutes before the end Mathieu Bragard (another new inclusion) scored
Belgium’s Third and they also advanced to the Final.
 |
Photo
From: Oranje Toen En Nu, Deel 2, 1914-1926, 2001-2002, Author Matty Verkamman
(Referee John Lewis with Team captains Leo
Bosschart and Emil Hanse, August 31, 1920, Olympics, Belgium 3-Holland 0) |
 |
Photo
From: Oranje Toen En Nu, Deel 2, 1914-1926, 2001-2002, Author Matty Verkamman
(Belgium squad, August 31, 1920, Olympics,
Belgium 3-Holland 0) |
 |
Photo
From: IFFHS-Olynpic Football Tournaments (1908-1936)
(August 31, 1920, Olympics, Belgium 3-Holland 0) |
For
the Dutch the frustration was too much and following the match the sore topic
of the player accommodations came to the fore.
The
players were staying in the Dutch Navy Ship ‘Hollandia’ to save costs while
Federation Officials were in nice hotels.
The
ship was stationed in the River Scheldt with cramped rooms that were shared by
three players per room.
The
conditions were too much for the players and eventually Team stars Jan de
Natris and Harry Denis took it upon themselves to look for a hotel after their
discussions with management led nowhere.
 |
Photo
From: de Internationals, de Historie van Oranje, Authors Matty Verkamman, Henri
van der Steen, John Volkers
(Holland’s
Harry Denis)
(August 28, 1896-July 13, 1971) |
 |
Photo
From: de Internationals, de Historie van Oranje, Authors Matty Verkamman, Henri
van der Steen, John Volkers
(Holland’s
Jan De Natris)
(November
13, 1895-September 16, 1972)
|
The
Federation officials reprimanded Team captain Leo Bosschart for his lack of
leadership and losing control of the team.
The
players rebelled further when led by de Natris they started drinking and
sampled the Antwerp nightlife.
 |
Photo
From: de Internationals, de Historie van Oranje, Authors Matty Verkamman, Henri
van der Steen, John Volkers
(Holland’s
Leo Bosschart)
(August 24, 1888-May 9, 1951) |
The
Federation came down hard on the squad and decided to punish the main four
culprits: Jan de Natris, Jaap
Bulder and reserves Evert van Linge and Henk Tempel. They are initially ordered
to return home, but the other players stood
with the ‘guilty’ players and threatened to leave with them.
In the end, a compromise was
reached and the punished players were allowed to stay but could not play in any
more matches.
Afterwards, Federation
Official Count Van Limburg Stirum provided the squad with a gramophone and some
records to alleviate their boredom.
But the players instead
smeared the records with jam and threw them across the river.
 |
Photo
From: de Internationals, de Historie van Oranje, Authors Matty Verkamman, Henri
van der Steen, John Volkers
(Holland’s
Jaap Bulder)
(September 27, 1896-April 30, 1979) |
Also
on the same day, the Consolation Tournament matches were played. Italy took on
Norway at Antwerp’s Kiel-Olympisch Stadion (10 AM Kickoff).
Italy
were missing Captain Renzo de Vecchi and Adolfo Baloncieri.
The
Italian Management offered four new caps to Virginio Rosetta, Luigi Burlando,
Rinaldo Roggero and Emilio Badini II.
In
an interesting episode during the match, the Norwegians were awarded a penalty
kick, but the Italians protested to such an extent that the Referee awarded a
free kick instead.
The
match ended (1-1) in regulation time and had to go into multiple overtimes.
The
initial two 15 Minutes Overtimes were followed two extra times of ten minutes
each. Italy finally came out as winners (2-1).
The
following day (September 1st) at Antwerp’s Deurne, Bosuil Stadion,
Spain took on Sweden.
Spain’s
Sabino earned his first cap for his Nation. It would be a physical encounter
with many fouls.
Sweden
took the lead through Dahl in the first half. In the second half, Spain stormed
back to win by scoring in the 51st minute through their captain
Belauste and two minutes later by Acedo.
It
has been said that before scoring Belauste had shouted to Sabino “A mi el peleton, Sabino, que los Arrollo” (get me the
ball, sabino, I’ll crush them).
According to many that is the
reason the Spanish National Team is referred to as ‘Furia Roja’.
Sweden
had a chance to tie the match but Ragnar Wicksell (some sources show Olsson) missed his penalty kick attempt in the 65th
minute as he was being distracted by Samitier.
Later
on, in the 75th minute, Sweden’s Albert Olsson broke his collarbone.
On
the following day (September 2nd), before the Gold Medal Final,
Spain took on and defeated Italy (2-0) at Antwerp’s Kiel-Olympisch Stadion.
For
the Spanish Ramon Gil and
Silverio Izaguirre made their debuts.
The
Italians also featured two new caps of their own: De Nardo and De Marchi.
Spain
won despite losing Pagaza to injury in the 35th minute and the
sending off of Star goalkeeper Zamora in the 84th minute.
Zamora
was trying to intercept a cross from Menghetti when Baldini (some sources show Brezzi) kicked him in the knee.
Zamora, without releasing the caught ball, punched him in retaliation.
 |
Photo
From: La Nazionale Italiana, 1978
(Renzo De Vecchi, August 31, 1920, Olympics,
Spain 2-Italy 0) |
Silveiro
would go in the net for the last six minutes. The Referee allowed Zamora to
remain next to Silveiro to give him instructions.
Felix
Sesumaga scored both Spanish goals (Sesumaga would sadly pass away aged just 26
in 1925 after an illness).
 |
Photo
From: Amberes-Alli Nacio La Furia Espanola, Author Felix Martialay
(Spain’s
Felix Sesumaga)
(October 12, 1898-August 24, 1925) |
The
Final took place on September 2nd at Antwerp’s Kiel-Olympisch Stadion between
Belgium and Czechsolovakia.
The
match was scheduled for 17:30 PM but just two hours before the match, there
were fans all over the field. The Army had to intervene to clear the field.
Children
had even dug tunnels under barriers to get into the stadium. This tunnel would
be known as ‘Tranchee Olympique’
(Trench of the Olympic).
 |
Photo
From: Oranje Toen En Nu, Deel 2, 1914-1926, 2001-2002, Author Matty Verkamman
(Match
Referees for the Final, John Lewis in the center along with Charles Wreford-Brown
and Arthur Knight, September 2, 1920, Olympics, Belgium 2-Czechsolovakia 0)
Note: Arthur Knight played for England in these
Olympics |
 |
Photo
From: Calcio 2000, Issue 33, August 2000
(Match Referee John Lewis with the Team
captains, September 2, 1920, Olympics, Belgium 2-Czechsolovakia 0)
4) |
It
would turn out to be an ill-tempered match and end abruptly.
From
the onset the Belgian crowd was very hostile towards the Czechs and this
affected the atmosphere on the pitch.
Belgium
were awarded a penalty kick in the sixth minute. The Czech goalkeeper Rudolf Kapka had caught a ball, but a Belgian player
rushed into him and the ball was loose. In the ensuing melee a Czech player
handled and the Referee awarded a spot kick (some sources also claim that
Bastin had been fouled). The Czechs protested for a foul on their goalkeeper
but it was to no avail.
Robert
Coppèe scored
from the spot to give Belgium the lead.
 |
Photo
From: IFFHS-Belgique-Belgie (1904-1940)
(Robert Coppèe’s goal from a penalty kick, September 2, 1920, Olympics, Belgium
2-Czechsolovakia 0) |
Belgium doubled its lead in
the 30th minute through Henri Larnoe after Bragard and Lanoe had
combined to set him up. It was just before halftime, in the 39th minute
that all hell broke loose. The English Referee John Lewis sent off
Czechoslovakia’s Karel Steiner after he had fouled Robert Coppèe. The Czechs protested the decision vehemently but it
was to no avail. Finally, Czech Captain Karel
Kada -Pesek walked off the pitch in protest followed but all
his teammates. They felt a sense of injustice and the crowd’s behavior only
enraged them further.
 |
Photo
From: IFFHS-Olynpic Football Tournaments (1908-1936)
(September 2, 1920, Olympics, Belgium 2-Czechsolovakia
0) |
The Referee had no choice but
to end the match and Belgium were declared winners and Gold Medal Winners.
The crowd invaded the pitch
in celebration and carried on their shoulders Captain Emil Hanse as well as the
local star Lanoe.
 |
Photo
From: IFFHS-Belgique-Belgie (1904-1940)
(Belgians fans on the pitch celebrating
Belgium’s victory, September 2, 1920, Olympics, Belgium 2-Czechsolovakia 0) |
 |
Photo
From: Oranje Toen En Nu, Deel 2, 1914-1926, 2001-2002, Author Matty Verkamman
(Belgians fans on the pitch celebrating
Belgium’s victory, September 2, 1920, Olympics, Belgium 2-Czechsolovakia 0) |
According to the memoirs
(‘Football d’Ici et d’ailleurs’) of famous Belgian Referee John Langenus (who
would officiate the 1930 World Cup Final), The Czechs were opposed and had not
appreciated to the choice of English Referee John Lewis (whom they must have
assumed would be pro-Belgium) and it was with that mentality that the match
degenerated.
 |
Photo
From: Le Dictionnaire Des Diables Rouges
(Belgium squad, September 2, 1920, Olympics, Belgium
2-Czechsolovakia 0) |
The Czechs would lodge an
official complaint. Their protest centered on three items: 1) The Trio of
judges were all English, even though the rules stipulated that one of the
linesmen should be of the participating team’s Nationality.
Due to this oversight, they
had requested the annulment of the match to the Referee, as well as a member of
the International Olympic Committee and the Belgian Federation President, at
the end of the match.
2) They questioned the Match
Referee John Lewis’ decisions that according to them were mostly false and
influenced by the Public.
3) Belgian soldiers were near
the whole field, which was provocative to them. Their presence made the squad
uneasy and the players were prevented from playing their normal game.
Furthermore, they made a note about the removal of the Czech flag by the
Public.
This protest fell on deaf
ears and the Organizing Committee were so offended by this action that they
asked them to withdraw it immediately.
They reprimanded
Czechoslovakia with unsporting behavior.
The Czechs still persisted in
their protest and FIFA had to send investigators to check the matter.
The Czechs due to their
walking off, were stripped from consideration for the Silver medal and were
disqualified.
As a result, Spain who had
won the Consolation Tournament on September 5th, after defeating
Holland (3-1) at Antwerp’s Kiel-Olympisch Stadion were awarded the Silver Medal.
The Dutch were missing the
suspended rebels and included two new caps in Von Heijden and Evert Bulder.
 |
Photo
From: Oranje Toen En Nu, Deel 2, 1914-1926, 2001-2002, Author Matty Verkamman
(September 5, 1920, Olympics, Spain 3-Holland 1) |
 |
Photo
From: Het Nederlands Elftal, De Histoire van Oranje, 1905-1989
(Holland squad, September 5, 1920, Olympics,
Spain 3-Holland 1) |
Sesumaga scored another
double for Spain and Pichichi scored Spain’s third and Ber Groosjohan had
pulled a goal back for Holland.
The Dutch were awarded the
Bronze Medal after this loss.
This was the final act of the
1920 Football Olympics and the time came to ponder upon the future of this
growing sport.
Many view these games as an
example that the game was taking hold.
According to observers the
attendance at the Olympics was not as high as anticipated, it was the Football
at these Olympics that saved the games with its much larger attendances.
Gabriel Hanot, the former
French International, now a Journalist for ‘Miroir des Sports’ noted that it
took Football to take the Olympics out of its lethargy.
He believed the Belgians
liked violent sports and Football would have been successful at any Belgian
city. He furthermore noted that these games were so successful that it should
detach itself from the Olympics and be on its own. He advocated an
International Tournament to take place every 2-3-4 years in a European capital.
In time this type of idea would fester into the creation of the World Cup.
These games had introduced
Ricardo Zamora, one of the legends of the sport, in addition to the stars of
their days such as Adolfo Baloncieri and Jan de Natris.
 |
Photo
From: Amberes-Alli Nacio La Furia Espanola, Author Felix Martialay
(Spain’s Ricardo Zamora and Manager Francisco
Bru) |
There were some criticisms as
well. Playing matches in consecutive days drained players physically and led to
injuries. In addition, teams with smaller pool of players could not call upon
adequate replacements and suffered.
The worst part of these Games
were the behavior and fanaticism of the Belgian fans. There was still some residual
jingoism from World War I that reached its crescendo with the treatment of the
Czechs during the Final and the shameless removal of their flag.
The Belgian Press were also
not blameless. They had written stories that the Czechs were responsible for
the first World War. This was an erroneous account since the Czechs were under
the control of the Austro-Hungarian Empire at the time.
The Belgian crowd would spur
on and cheer every Belgian foul on a Czech player.
Despite
this the growth of the popularity of the game was undeniable and soon another
continent would enter the fray.
Notes:
1-Spain Captain Athletic
Bilbao’s Belasute (September 3, 1889-September 4, 1964) was active in politics.
He was affiliated with the Basque Nationalist Party. Apparently during a
meeting in 1922 he had shouted ‘death to Spain’.
In the 1920 Olympics, he
almost did not receive his medal because refused carry the Spanish flag in the
parade.
He would later voluntarily
exile to France, Algeria, Argentina and Brazil before returning to Spain. He
left Spain for Mexico at the onset of the Spanish Civil War in the 1930s.
 |
Photo
From: Amberes-Alli Nacio La Furia Espanola, Author Felix Martialay
(Spain
Captain and Athetic Bilbao’s Belasute)
(September 3, 1889-September 4, 1964) |
2-Spain’s Josep Samitier
(February 2, 1902-May 4, 1972) was responsible for recruiting Hungary’s
Ladislao Kubala for Barcelona.
He was arrested during the
Spanish Civil War but later released and then left for France.
3-Yugoslavia’s Jovan Ruzic
(December 12, 1898-September 25, 1973) was the first Serbian to play in the
French League.
 |
Photo
From: Beli Orlovi, 1920-1941, Author Vasa Stojkovic
(A
cartoon of Jovan Ruzic)
(December 12, 1898-September 25, 1973) |
4-Emil Hanse (August 10,
1892- April 5, 1980) and Armand Swartenbroeks (June 30, 1892-October 3, 1980)
were the last surviving members of the victorious Belgian squad.
5- Yugoslavia’s Emil Perska (June 20,
1897-May 1945) was linked with the ‘Ustase’ movement (Croatian Fascist
organiztion). He was executed by Yugoslav partisans at the end of World War II.
 |
Photo
From: Beli Orlovi, 1920-1941, Author Vasa Stojkovic
(Emil
Perska)
(June 20, 1897-May 1945) |
References:
Todo Sobre La Seleccion
Espanola, Felix Martialay, 2006
Le Dictionnaire des Diables
Rouges
Le Siecle des Diables Rouges,
Author: Christian Hubert
Het Nederlands Elftal, De
Histoire van Oranje, 1905-1989
Oranje Toen En Nu, Deel 2,
1914-1926, 2001-2002, Author: Matty Verkamman
Landslaget, Det Norske
Fotballandslagets Historie, authors Egil Olsen, Arne Scheie,Per Jorsett, Otto
Ulseth, 1997
Beli Orlovi, 1920-1941,
Author Vasa Stojkovic
IFFHS, England (1872-1940),
Eire (1924-1940), EnglandAmateurs (1906-1940)
Yugoslavia’s International
Matches, 1920-2003, Vasa Stojkovic, Dragan Krstic
La Nazionale Italiana, 1978
Le Dictionnaire Des Diables
Rouges
IFFHS-Belgique-Belgie
(1904-1940)
IFFHS-Norge (1908-1940), Suomi (1911-1940)-Essti
(1920-1940)
Slavne Nohy,
Author: Jaroslav Salek, Zdenek Salek, 2002
Rode Duivels & Oranje
Leeuwen., 100 jaar Derby der Lage Landen, Authors Ralf Willems, Matty Verkamman
Il Libro Azzurro del Calcio
Italiano, Authors: Pericle Pratelli, Pasquale Scardillo, 1974
Azzurri, Storia della
Nazionale di calcio tre volte campioni del Mondo, 1910-1983
Guerin Sportivo-La Grande
Storia Del calcio Italiana-1914-1920
IFFHS, Danmark (1908-1940),
Sverige (1908-10940)
Landsholdet-I medgang og
modgang, Author: Palle "Banks" Jorgensen
Calcio 2000, Issue 33, August
2000
Foot Magazine, Issue 20,
January 1983
L’Equipe, L’Equipe de France
de Football, la Belle Histoire
90 Joer Letzebuerger
Footballfederatioun / 90 ans Federation Luxembourgeoise de Football
de Internationals, de
Historie van Oranje, Authors Matty Verkamman, Henri van der Steen, John Volkers
se Lvickem na prsou-Authors
O.Bartunek, J.Kalat
A-Laget, Norges 25 storste
fotballspillere gjennom tidene, Authors: Svein Saeter, Johan L. Oiestad
Amberes-Alli Nacio La Furia
Espanola, Author: Felix Martialay
IFFHS-Olynpic Football
Tournaments (1908-1936)
Seleccion Espanola de Futbol
(1920-2016), Author: Julio A. Larry Sierra
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