Looking
back, the 1924 Soccer Olympics gave the world a first glimpse of a potential
World Cup.
In
all 22 Nations participated in the games held in Paris. The bulk of the
participants were still European and eight Nations from the old continent made
their debuts in the Olympics (Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Irish Free
State (pre-cursor to Eire), Poland, Romania and Switzerland).
More
continents were represented this time around.
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Photo
From: Calcio 2000, Issue 33, August 2000
(1924
Olympics Poster)
|
While
Egypt represented Africa once more, this would be the first competition to feature
a South American participant.
Uruguay’s
participation would not only broaden the horizons of the game, it would also
revolutionize the game in the near future and in some way give birth to the
World Cup in 1930.
Two
other new continents represented were North America (USA) and Asia (Turkey).
While
the 1920 games had been criticized for their somewhat jingoistic nature, the
1924 series appeared calmer. The only tie to the First World War was the ban of
Germany, as France and other Nations still held some resentment.
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Photo
From: 90 Joer Letzebuerger Footballfederatioun
90 ans Federation Luxembourgeoise de Football
(1924
olympics Posters)
|
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Photo
From: IFFHS-Olympic Football Tournaments (1908-1936)
(1924
Olympics Logo)
|
Russia
(or as now called Soviet Union) were still recovering from the War and
Revolution, etc.
Denmark
and Finland were unable to compete due to financial reasons.
The
other two key refusals came from Great Britain and Austria. Both Nations had
now fully professional Leagues and the two questioned the status of the other
teams.
The
Olympics rules for these series considered that a player is Amateur as long as
regarded as such by their own Federation.
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Photo
From: Calcio 2000, Issue 33, August 2000
(1924
Olympics Village)
|
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Photo
From: Calcio 2000, Issue 33, August 2000
(1924
Olympics Ceremonies)
|
Some
view this as the origin of ‘Shamateurism’, where Nations were given license to
arbitrarily field seasoned professional level players in future series
(especially Eastern Bloc Communist Nations).
The
British and Austrians opposed this idea and demanded all federations to put
“all their cards on the table”. Needless to say their demands were not met and
so they refused.
The
set-up of the Tournament would be more conventional and do away with the
‘Bergvall System’ used in the previous events.
The
format would consist of two rounds of direct elimination rounds, followed by
Quarterfinals, Semifinals and Final and no Consolation Tournament. The matches
would take just over two weeks.
The
French hosts had built a new stadium in Paris (Stade Colombes) for these games.
However they were not viewed as favorites (especially by the local press).
Even
defeating English club West Ham United (2-1) just days prior to the start of
the Tournament (May 22nd) did not raise expectations.
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Photo
From: Azzurri, Storia della Nazionale di calcio tre volte campioni del Mondo,
1910-1983
(Plan
view of Stade Colombes)
|
Italians
were managed by Vittoro Pozzo who would mastermind two World Cup wins in the
next decade, but Italy were still growing as a Football Nation and this
Tournament would serve as a stepping stone for future glories.
Italy’s
squad contained three players who would feature in the 1934 squad. The 1934
goalkeeper and Captain Giampiero Combi and defenders Umberto Caligaris and
Virginio Rosetta (though the duo would eventually have marginal roles in the
victory as veterans).
As far as Combi, he had made his debut for Italy just months earlier on April 6th, 1924 in a drubbing at Budapest (Hungary 7-Italy 1).
As far as Combi, he had made his debut for Italy just months earlier on April 6th, 1924 in a drubbing at Budapest (Hungary 7-Italy 1).
For
Pozzo, Combi was still not yet ready to be the starter, that task would be
trusted to Giovanni De Prà.
Italy’s
main absentee was Luigi Cevenini III, but others such as Adolfo Baloncieri, a
veteran of the 1920 series, was still present for Italy along with veteran
Renzo De Vecchi. The new star in the making for the Italians was Virgilio
Levratto. He was still doing his military service and for the first time
Italians were given deferments for Sporting reasons.
A
new novelty was the introduction of the Irish Free State (the future Republic
of Ireland).
The
squad left from the Westland Row Railway Station on Saturday, May 20th
headed for Dun Laoghaire. From there, they traveled by boat to Holyhead and
then to London.
The
next day, they traveled by train to Dover, then by boat again to Calais and
eventually to Paris.
Not
much was expected them, but this was a momentous first occasion on the world
stage for them.
The
Tournament’s First Round of matches took place on May 25th and 26th,
1924.
Sweden
were assured of advancing as their opponents Portugal forfeited.
The
French hosts, along with defending Champions Belgium, Bulgaria, Egypt, the
Irish Free State, Latvia, Luxembourg, Holland and Romania had already received
a bye into the next round.
On
May 25th, Italy and Spain faced off at Paris’ Stade Colombes under
rainy conditions. The Spanish were represented by veterans from the 1920 event:
the ever-impressive Ricardo Zamora in goal, along with Pedro Vallana and Jose
Samitier.
Pasarin
and Larraza would make their debuts for Spain.
For
the Italians, Mario Magnozzi, and Virgilio Levratto made their debuts for the
National Team. Pozzo also decided to rest Renzo de Vecchi and Italy started in
defense with the Rosetta-Caligaris combination.
Spain
started the match better, before Italy gradually improved. The French Referee
Marcel Slawick on two occasions overlooked Italian handballs in the box.
The
Spanish debutant Larraza was sent off in the 55th minute but Spain
still persisted.
Italy
scored the winner in the 84th minute. Adolfo Baloncieri’s cross
intended for Magnozzi was intercepted by Vallana who scored an own goal.
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Photo
From: La Nazionale Italiana, 1978
(Vallana’s own goal, May 25, 1925, Olympics,
Italy 1-Spain 0) |
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Photo
From: Azzurri, Storia della Nazionale di calcio tre volte campioni del Mondo,
1910-1983
(Italy squad, May 25, 1925, Olympics, Italy
1-Spain 0) |
At
Paris’ Stade Pershing, the debutants Switzerland and Lithuania faced each other
(in a double header with USA-Estonia match)
It
was no contest as Switzerland demolished Lithuania (9-0) with Paul Sturzenegger
scoring four goals (all headers) and Max Abegglen II supplying three goals.
The
Swiss Manager, the Englishman Edward Duckworth, had been managing Swiss club
Servette Geneva and had only been appointed the previous month.
The
Lithuanians were playing their second ever match. Apart from Razma, Bartuska,
Juozapaitis and Garbaciauskas, all the other players were making their debuts.
In
addition they had traveled 52 hours by train and were exhausted after having
arrived at Paris in the morning of the match.
Later
at the same venue, USA and Estonia also made their respective Olympic debuts.
All Americans were earning their very first cap.
The
Americans would be victorious (1-0) through a penalty kick by Andrew Stardan
(15th minute). However, Estonia did have a chance to tie the match
but, Elmar
Kaljot missed his own penalty kick attempt in the 68th minute (the
referee had ordered his kick retaken, and the second time, his shot hit the
cross bar).
At Paris’ Stade de Bergeyre, Czechoslovakia took on
Turkey and comfortably won (5-2) with a double from Josef Sedlacek I.
They
also missed a penalty kick by Antonin Hojer.
For
the Czechoslovakian squad, it was the debut of their Manager Jaroslav Bezecný on the
bench, as well as Josef Sloup Staplik, Otto Krombholz, Josef
Pleticha, Josef Sedlacek and Jan Novak.
The
Czechs lined up brothers Josef and Rudolf Sloup.
Turkey
were playing their second ever match and most players had at most 2 caps.
The
Czechs had been training for two months (once a week) to prepare for the
tournament.
On
the next day, Monday, May 26th, at Stade de Colombes (15:30 kick
off), Uruguay made its debut in the Olympics by taking on Yugoslavia.
The
technically superior Uruguayans delighted the crowd and impressively defeated
Yugoslavia (7-0), with Pedro Petrone and Pedro Cea, each scoring twice.
The
Uruguay squad, housed at Argenteuil Hotel, would become the toast of these
games and introduce the European crowd to a new style of play.
For
Uruguay, goalkeeper Andrés Mazali along with Humberto Tomassina made their
debuts, while Mare Marjanovic also earned his first cap for Yugoslavia.
On
the same day, at Stade de Bergeyre, Hungary defeated Poland (5-0) with Ferenc
Hirzer and Zoltan Opata each scoring a double.
Hungary’s
squad included future coaching Great Bela
Guttmann who would win two Champions Cups with Benfica (1961, 1962).
The
Second Round matches were scheduled for May 27th through 29th.
On
May 27th, At Stade de Colombes, Holland took on Romania and
comfortably defeated them (6-0) with Kees Pijl scoring four times for the
Dutch.
The
Dutch still had a number of leftovers from the 1920 matches such as Harry Dénis
and Jan De Natris.
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Photo
From: Oranje Toen En Nu, Deel 2, 1914-1926, 2001-2002, Author Matty Verkamman
(cartoon
of Holland’s Harry Denis)
|
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Photo
From: Oranje Toen En Nu, Deel 2, 1914-1926, 2001-2002, Author: Matty Verkamman
(May
27, 1924, Olympics, Holland 6-Romania 0)
|
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Photo
From: Oranje Toen En Nu, Deel 2, 1914-1926, 2001-2002, Author: Matty Verkamman
(Holland squad, May 27, 1924, Olympics, Holland
6-Romania 0) |
On
the same day, the French made their debut at Stade de Paris (Saint-Ouen) vs.
Latvia (fielding three brothers named Barda). It was a mismatch and everyone
expected a French victory.
The
French won (7-0) with Edouard Crut scoring a hat trick in his International
debut (Paul Nicholas and Jean Boyer each scored twice).
The
French Press did not go overboard and in fact criticized the French team were
playing not as a team but too individualistically.
For
the Latvians, Arvids Jurgens and Arkadijs Pavlovs were making their
debuts.
On the following day, May 28th, at Stade
de Colombes, the Irish Free State faced Bulgaria and defeated them (1-0)
through a Paddy Duncan goal (75th minute).
The entire Irish squad were earning their first cap,
while for Bulgaria, Ivan Radoev and Todor Vladimirov were making their debuts while the
rest of their teammates were only earning their second cap.
The
Bulgarians fielded the Mutafchiev brothers and were managed by the Austrian
Leopold Niestch, who was still an active Austrian International.
On
the same day, at Stade de Bergeyre, Switzerland encountered Czechoslovakia.
Prior to the start of the match both teams complained of the hard ball, but
play continued.
The
Czechs had made five changes from their previous match.
Rudolf Sloup – Stapl gave Czechoslovakia the lead in
the 21st minute through a penalty kick. Czechoslovakia’s Josef Capek was sent off in the 74th
minute, and five minutes later Switzerland took advantage and
tied the match through Walter Dietrich.
The match went into extra-time but the score did not
change. A replay was required to be played two days later.
On
the following day, May 29th, Italy took on Luxembourg at Stade
Pershing.
For
Italy, Renzo De Vecchi was back in the squad captaining the side replacing
Caligaris in the lineup.
Gastone
Baldi was also drafted in place of Burlando.
For
Luxembourg, all the players were earning their first caps, except Langers and
Joseph Koetz (both earning their second).
Italy
won (2-0) with goals by Adolfo Baloncieri (20th minute) and Giuseppe
Della Valle (38th minute).
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Photo
From: La Nazionale Italiana, 1978
(May
29, 1924, Olympics, Italy 2-Luxembourg 0)
|
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Photo
From: Calcio 2000, Issue 33, August 2000
(Italy squad, May 29, 1924, Olympics, Italy
2-Luxembourg 0) |
An
interesting incident occurred concerning Virgilio Levratto. In an attack,
Levratto ran directly with such force into Luxembourg goalkeeper Etienne Bausch
that he was knocked out.
Levratto
looked over and said “I’ve murdered him”. Etienne Bausch was treated and came
back on the field.
Five
minutes later, an identical situation occurred with Levratto about to run into
him again. Bausch jumped down and covered his face with his hands. Upon seeing
this Levratto started laughing and did not score and received the acclaim of
the crowd for not taking advantage of the situation and score.
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Photo
From: Guerin Sportivo-La Grande Storia Del Calcio Italiana-1923-1924
(Italy’s Virgilio Felice Levratto) |
On
the same day at Stade de Colombes, Sweden faced the defending Champions
Belgium.
For
the Swedes Axel Alfredsson and Tore Keller made their International debuts.
Belgium
had tried to prepare for the Tournament intensively and had been in France for
eight full days.
However,
they were completely taken apart by Sweden and lost (1-8) in what in Belgium
became known as ‘Catastrophe de Colombes.’
It
was at the time the greatest humiliation in the history of Belgium Football.
Belgium
were so shaken and humiliated that they demanded a re-match to be held after
the Tournament. (On June 10th, Belgium would defeat Sweden (5-0) in
Brussels).
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Photo
From: IFFHS, Danmark (1908-1940), Sverige (1908-10940)
(Sweden
squad, May 29, 1924, Olympics, Sweden 8-Belgium 1)
|
On
the same day at Stade
de Bergeyre, Uruguay defeated USA
(3-0) through goals by Pedro Petrone (10th, 44th minutes)
and Hector Scarone (15th minute).
The Americans were missing the injured Aage Brix. Carl W.F. Johnson
and Herbert Wells made their debuts for USA.
Pedro
Arispe and José Naya made their debuts for Uruguay.
Also
on the same day at Stade de Paris (Saint-Ouen), in an upset, Egypt defeated
Hungary (3-0) to reach the quarterfinals.
For
Egypt, Mahmud Fua, Ahmed Mohamed Salem, El-Sayed Hooda, Riad, Yakan and Ismail
Hooda were all earning their first caps.
Hungary
did have chances to reduce the score, but Jozsef
Eisenhoffer goals in the 29th minute was ruled out and Jozsef
Braun-Barna shot a penalty kick over the bar in the 43rd minute.
The Second Round concluded the next day (May 30th)
with the replay between Switzerland and Czechoslovakia at Stade de Bergeyre.
Both
teams made changes; Switzerland’s Adolf Mengotti made his International debut,
while Frantisek Hochmann, Josef Novak and Otto Novak made their debuts for
Czechoslovakia. The Czechs fielded brothers Josef and Jan Novak.
The
match proceeded with the drama of both sides complaining about the refereeing.
Switzerland had protested about the Czech penalty kick from the first match and
the Czechs wanted Capek’s red card to be rescinded. In the end both complaints
were turned down.
The
Hungarian Mihály Iváncsics was initially chosen to referee this match but the
Czechs complained, as a result the French Referee Marcel Slawick was chosen.
This delayed the start of the match by more than half an hour.
Switzerland
won (1-0) with a late goal by Robert Pache (87th minute) to advance.
The
Quarterfinals matches took place on June 1st and 2nd.
On
June 1st, France hosted Uruguay in what was their first ever match
vs. a South American Nation. In fact it was their first ever match against a
non-European opponent.
The
French wore Red Uniforms (instead of traditional blue) as a sign of
hospitality, thus allowing the guests to wear their blue uniforms.
It
would be a match that would confirm Uruguay’s superiority on the old continent.
From the opening kick-off the South Americans were in charge and Hector Scarone
(3rd minute) gave them the lead. The French quickly tied the match
by Paul Nicolas (12th minute), but the final outcome was never in
doubt after Scarone scored his second goal prior to halftime.
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Photo
From: L’Equipe, L’Equipe de France de Football, la Belle Histoire
(June 1, 1924, Olympics, France 1-Uruguay 5) |
This
would be the star-making match of Uruguay’s José Leandro Andrade.
He
was booed early in the second half for a foul. This galvanized him and he went
on to assist on Uruguay’s three goals by displaying his impressive dribbling
skills.
Pedro
Petrone scored Uruguay’s third (59th minute) in a move that injured
the French goalkeeper Pierre Chayrigues (who had dived on Petrone’s feet).
He
was virtually ineffective for the rest of the match.
Uruguay’s
fourth goal is remembered for Andrade’s long run as he went past seven
opponents before supplying Petrone (85th minute).
Even
the French fans applauded Andrade’s run.
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Photo
From: IFFHS-Argentina (1902-1940)-Uruguay (1902-1940)
(Uruguay’s
Jose Leandro Andrade)
(October
1, 1901-October 4, 1957)
|
Angel
Romano ended the scoring (86th minute) to complete the rout (5-1).
The
gulf in the teams was self evident and Uruguay were appearing as likely
winners.
Afterwards,
France’s Jean Boyer, Edouard Crut and Antoine Parachini were ousted from the
National Team for refusing to train the day before the match. In addition,
there had also been reports of French players quarreling in their Hotel rooms.
On
the same day, at Stade Pershing, Sweden eliminated Egypt (5-0) with Kaufeldt
and Brommesson, each scoring a double.
The
match was played on a muddy field as it started raining in the second half.
On
the following day (June 2nd) at Stade de Paris (Saint-Ouen), Holland
faced the Irish Free State.
The
Irish were lodged near the Dutch. The Dutch issued an invitation for dinner for
the following day of the match (irrespective of the result).
The
Dutch were missing the four-goal scoring hero from the previous match, Kees
Pijl, who had returned home to celebrate his wife’s birthday.
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Photo
From: Oranje Toen En Nu, Deel 2, 1914-1926, 2001-2002, Author Matty Verkamman
(Holland’s
Kees Pijl’s medals and identity cards)
(June
9, 1897-September 3, 1976)
|
The
Dutch fielded debutants Ok Formenoy and Joop ter Beek.
The
debutant Ok Formenoy gave the Dutch the lead (7th minute) before
Francis Ghent tied the match (33rd minute). The match went into
extra-time and Formenoy scored his second goal (104th minute) and
the Dutch advanced to the semifinals.
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Photo From: IFFHS-Olympic Football Tournaments
(1908-1936)
(June
2, 1924, Olympics, Holland 2-Irish Free State 1)
|
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Photo
From: Oranje Toen En Nu, Deel 2, 1914-1926, 2001-2002, Author: Matty Verkamman
(Holland
squad, June 2, 1924, Olympics, Holland 2-Irish Free State 1)
|
On the same day, at Stade de Bergeyre,
Switzerland took on Italy on a rain soaked muddy field.
For
Italy, Pozzo decided to leave out De Vecchi and once again reconstituted the
Rosetta-Caligaris duo.
Paul Sturzenegger had given Switzerland the lead (46th
minute), before Giuseppe Della Valle tied the score (52nd minute).
In the 60th minute, Switzerland scored the
winner that would be contested by the Italians. Karl Ehrenbolger crossed
from an offside position. The Italian goalkeeper De Pra misjudged the flight of
ball and Max Abegglen headed in the winner.
Italy
attacked afterwards but in vain as Switzerland held on. The Italians would
blame the Referee for Switzerland’s winning goal.
Pozzo
even filed a complaint on the behalf of the Italian Federation, but the
complaint was rejected.
Incidentally,
the Swiss were to withdraw following the match vs. Czechoslovakia due to a lack
of funds. However, Zurich based Magazine ‘Sport’ collected 6,000 Swiss Francs
for the Swiss to continue their adventure (although three homesick players
returned home).
Vittorio
Pozzo would later recount a very sportsmanlike conduct by the Swiss. Following
their win, the Swiss were singing in the changing rooms. Upon exiting in the
corridor Pozzo and Caligaris saw Switzerland’s Schmiedlin. He noticed the
Italians were saddened after the defeat, so he told his teammates not to sing
next to the Italians. Pozzo was very touched by this gesture.
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Photo
From: IFFHS, Schweiz,Suisse, Svizzera (1905-1940)
(Switzerland’s Paul Schmiedlin)
(June
2, 1897-July 2, 1981) |
The
Semifinals took place on June 5th and 6th.
On
June 5th at Stade de Colombes, Switzerland faced Sweden. The
Swiss were victorious (2-1) with a double from Max Abegglen (15th,
77th minutes) with Rudolf Kock (42nd minute) replying for
the Swedes.
Against
all expectations, the Swiss had reached the Final. Afterwards, the Swiss
Ambassador at Paris invited the squad to dinner at the Eiffel Tower.
The
following day (June 6th) at Stade de Colombes, Uruguay took on the
Dutch.
Kees
Pijl was back for the Dutch and Gerrit
Horsten made his International debut.
It was Pijl (32nd
minute) who gave the Dutch the lead. The Uruguayans would get back into the
game in the second half. Pedro Cea leveled the score (62nd minute).
Uruguay took the lead with
less than ten minutes remaining after they were awarded a penalty kick. Hector
Scarone scored from the spot (81st minute), however, the decision
was contested, as it was Scarone who had committed a handball offense prior to
the kick.
There was a well-known
headline from French newspaper ‘France-Soir’ that read: “l'Arbitre bat
la Hollande” (The Referee defeated Holland).
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Photo From: IFFHS-Olympic Football Tournaments
(1908-1936)
(June 6, 1924, Olympics, Uruguay 2-Holland 1)
|
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Photo
From: Oranje Toen En Nu, Deel 2, 1914-1926, 2001-2002, Author: Matty Verkamman
(June 6, 1924, Olympics, Uruguay 2-Holland 1)
|
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Photo
From: Oranje Toen En Nu, Deel 2, 1914-1926, 2001-2002, Author: Matty Verkamman
(June 6, 1924, Olympics, Uruguay 2-Holland 1)
|
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Photo
From: IFFHS-Argentina (1902-1940)-Uruguay (1902-1940)
(May
26, 1924, Olympics, June 6, 1924,
Olympics, Uruguay 2-Holland 1)
|
 |
Photo From: Het Nederlands Elftal, De Histoire van
Oranje, 1905-1989
(June 6, 1924, Olympics, Uruguay 2-Holland 1)
|
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Photo
From: Oranje Toen En Nu, Deel 2, 1914-1926, 2001-2002, Author: Matty Verkamman
(Holland
squad, June 6, 1924, Olympics, Uruguay 2-Holland 1) |
Holland and Sweden met at
Stade de Colombes on June 8th for the Bronze Medal match. Both teams
made many changes from their previous match.
Holland’s Hans Tetzner, Evert van Linge, Ber Groosjohan and Kees
Pill were all injured following the clash vs. Uruguay.
Jan de Natris and Gerrit Visser were also missing for the Dutch.
The Dutch awarded debut caps
to Henk Vermetten, Jan Oosthoek and Klaas Jan
Breeuwer.
Per Kaufeldt (44th
minute) would give Sweden the lead, before André le
Fèvre tied the match (77th minute). The match would end as a tie and
a replay would be required.
Kaufeldt’s goal was contested by the Dutch as
goalkeeper Gejus van der Meulen appeared to have the ball handled and
covered before Kaufeldt charged into him.
 |
Photo From: IFFHS-Olympic Football Tournaments
(1908-1936)
(June 8, 1924, Olympics, Sweden 1-Holland 1)
|
 |
Photo
From: Oranje Toen En Nu, Deel 2, 1914-1926, 2001-2002, Author: Matty Verkamman
(June 8, 1924, Olympics, Sweden 1-Holland 1)
|
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Photo
From: Oranje Toen En Nu, Deel 2, 1914-1926, 2001-2002, Author: Matty Verkamman
(Holland squad, June 8, 1924, Olympics, Sweden
1-Holland 1)
|
The Replay would take place the following day at
Stade de Colombes just before the Final match.
This time Sweden were better
and fresher and defeated the Dutch (3-1) with a double from Sven Rydell (34th, 77th
minutes) and Evert Lundquist (42nd minute). Ok Formenoy (44th minute)
pulled one goal back for the Dutch on a penalty kick.
 |
Photo From: IFFHS-Olympic Football Tournaments
(1908-1936)
(June 9, 1924, Olympics, Sweden 3-Holland 1)
|
 |
Photo
From: Oranje Toen En Nu, Deel 2, 1914-1926, 2001-2002, Author: Matty Verkamman
(June 9, 1924, Olympics, Sweden 3-Holland 1)
|
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Photo
From: Oranje Toen En Nu, Deel 2, 1914-1926, 2001-2002, Author Matty Verkamman
(Holland’s Kees Pijl’s memorabilia from the
Games) |
Following
this match the Final between Uruguay and Switzerland was played witnessed by
1,500 journalists.
Initially
the Dutchman Johannes Mutters was to referee the match, but perhaps due to the
controversy from their previous match with the Dutch, Uruguay protested to the
choice. As a result, France’s Marcel Slawick was appointed to referee.
The
match went according to expectations and Uruguay defeated the Swiss (3-0) with
goals by (Pedro Petrone 9th minute, Pedro Cea 65th
minute, Hector Scarone 82nd minute).
Uruguay
had won the Olympics title paying a more technical and sophisticated game that
the Europeans were accustomed to.
 |
Photo
From: IFFHS-Argentina (1902-1940)-Uruguay (1902-1940)
(June
9, 1924, Olympics, Uruguay
3-Switzerland 0)
|
 |
Photo From: IFFHS-Olympic Football Tournaments
(1908-1936)
(June
9, 1924, Olympics, Uruguay
3-Switzerland 0)
|
 |
Photo From: IFFHS-Olympic Football Tournaments
(1908-1936)
(Aerial
view of stadium, June 9, 1924, Olympics, Uruguay
3-Switzerland 0)
|
 |
Photo From: IFFHS-Olympic Football Tournaments
(1908-1936)
(Switzerland and Uruguay squads, June 9, 1924,
Olympics, Uruguay 3-Switzerland 0) |
The
audience marveled in their performances and this would act as a bridge between
Football’s main two continents. It was an early step in the birth of the
eventual World Cup.
Uruguay
would go on to win the 1928 Olympic title as well as the inaugural 1930 World
Cup.
Little
did Pedro Cea know that he would be go on to be the only player to play every
minute of the 1924, 1928 and 1930 triumphs.
While
Jose Nasazzi would Captain all these three victories.
 |
Photo
From: IFFHS-Argentina (1902-1940)-Uruguay (1902-1940)
(Uruguay’s
Jose Nasazzi)
(May
24, 1901-June 17, 1969)
|
 |
Photo
From: Miroir du Football , Issue 130, April-May 1970
(Uruguay’s
Pedro Cea)
(September
1, 1900-September 18, 1970)
|
The
main stars of Uruguay for these Olympics would be Angel Romano on the left wing
and needless to say Andrade, who would be dubbed ‘La Maravilla Negra’ (the black wonder).
Andrade
would take to the Parisian nightlife and actually stayed in Paris for two more
weeks after the Uruguayan squad had left.
A
new era in Football had begun and the International game was about to enter a
new phase and European were no longer the undisputed masters of the game.
Notes:
1- The Tournament All-Star
Team (as appearing in IFFHS-Olympic Football Tournaments (1908-1936)):
Hans
Pulver (Switzerland), Jose Nasazzi (Uruguay), Rudolf Ramseyer (Switzerland),
Jose Andrade (Uruguay), Paul Schmiedlin (Switzerland), Alfredo Ghierra
(Uruguay), Angel Romano (Uruguay), Hector Scarone (Uruguay), Pedro Petrone
(Uruguay), Pedro Cea (Uruguay), Rudolf Kock (Sweden)
Reserve:
Goalkeeper:
Gejus van der Meulen (Holland), Sigfried Lindberg (Sweden)
Full
back: Harry Denis (Holland), Ahmed Mohamed Salem (Egypt)
Half
back: Andre Le Fevre (Holland), Jose Vidal (Uruguay)
Forwards:
Sven Rydell (Sweden), Max Abegglen (Switzerland), Jan de Natris (Holland)
2-Dutch goalkeeper Gejus van
der Meulen was also a Doctor. He would openly support the Nazis following the
occupation of Holland during World War II.
He would be imprisoned after
the War and released after a few years, but lived mostly in disgrace due to his
Nazi ties.
 |
Photo
From: Oranje Toen En Nu, Deel 2, 1914-1926, 2001-2002, Author: Matty Verkamman
(Holland
goalkeeper Gejus van der Meulen)
(January 23,
1903-July 10, 1972) |
3-The following Estonia
players were killed during World War II.
Eduard
Ellman-Eelma (April 7, 1902-November 16, 1941) was executed in prison by the
Soviets.
Harald
Kaarman (December 12, 1901-August 19, 1942) was executed by the Soviets.
Heinrich
Paal (July 6, 1895-September 20, 1942) was executed in a Soviet prison camp.
Some sources show a date of death of December 18, 1941.
Hugo
Vali (June 19, 1902-1943) died in Soviet prison camp.
4-Hungary’s
Jozsef Braun-Barna (February 26, 1901-February 20, 1943)
died in a Nazi Labor Camp.
5- The following Poland players were killed during World
War II.
Stefan
Fryc (August 10, 1894-August 1944) was executed by Germans. Some sources show a date of death of November
9, 1943 in the Warsaw Ghetto.
Leon
Sperling (August 7, 1900-December 15,
1941) was killed by Nazis in the Lemberg Ghetto.
Marian
Spoida (January 4, 1901-1940?) was killed by the Soviets in the Katyn Massacre
(some sources show a date of death of April 16, 1940).
6-Latvia’s Karlis Bone (February 19, 1899-November
13, 1941) died in a Soviet prison camp.
7-France’s Paul Nicolas was killed in a car accident
with his wife on March 3rd, 1959.
8- 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.
References:
90
Joer Letzebuerger Footballfederatioun
90 ans Federation Luxembourgeoise de Football
år
med Svensk Fotboll 1904-84, Author Glanell Thomas red
Azzurri,
Storia della Nazionale di calcio tre volte campioni del Mondo, 1910-1983
Beli
Orlovi, 1920-1941, Author Vasa Stojkovic
Bialo
Czerwoni 1921-2001, Author Andrzej Gowarzewski
Calcio
2000, Issue 33, August 2000
Die
Nati, Die Geschichte der Schweizer Fussball-Nationalmanschaft, author Beat
Jung, 2006
Football
Association of Ireland, 75 Years, Author Peter Byrne, 1996
Guerin
Sportivo-La Grande Storia Del Calcio Italiana-1923-1924
Het
Nederlands Elftal, De Histoire van Oranje, 1905-1989
IFFHS,
Danmark (1908-1940), Sverige (1908-10940)
IFFHS-Argentina
(1902-1940)-Uruguay (1902-1940)
IFFHS,
Schweiz,Suisse, Svizzera (1905-1940)
IFFHS-Belgique-Belgie
(1904-1940)
IFFHS-Norge (1908-1940), Suomi (1911-1940)-Essti
(1920-1940)
IFFHS-Russia
(1912-1920), Soviet Union (1923-1940),Polska (1921-1940), Lietuva (1923-1940)
Il
Libro Azzurro del Calcio Italiano, Authors Pericle Pratelli, Pasquale Scardillo,
1974
L’Equipe,
L’Equipe de France de Football, la Belle Histoire
La
Nazionale Italiana, 1978
La
Seleccion , a traves de sus cronicas, Author Bernardo de Salazar
Le
Siecle des Diables Rouges, Author Christian Hubert
L'Equipe
de France de Football, L'Integrale des 497 rencontres (1904-1991), Authors
J.M.Cazal, Pierre Cazal, Michel Oreggia, 1992
L'Integrale
de L'Equipe de France de Football, Authors J.M. and Pierre Cazal, Michel
Oreggia, 1998
Oranje
Toen En Nu, Deel 2, 1914-1926, 2001-2002, Author Matty Verkamman
se
Lvickem na prsou-Authors O.Bartunek, J.Kalat
Todo
Sobre La Seleccion Espanola, Felix Martialay, 2006
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