The Soccernostalgia Interview, Part 58- The East Germany v. Poland World Cup Qualifier on October 10, 1981-Video Interview and Blog Presentation with Mr. Jakub Drożdż, the Founder of Polish Football Alamanac and Football enthusiast)

 

For this interview, I look back at the World Cup qualifying match between East Germany and Poland on October 10, 1981.

The Interview will be as a video link companion, while the Blog will be a presentation of the events.

The Interviewee is:

Mr. Jakub Drożdż

 

Mr. Drożdż is the Founder of Polish Football Alamanac and Football enthusiast.

 

Mr. Drożdż’s contact info:

Twitter: @P_F_Almanac.

Website: http://www.polishfootballalmanac.net/

 

 

My contact information:

on twitter @sp1873 and on facebook under Soccernostalgia.

https://linktr.ee/sp1873

 

October 10, 1981-Poland’s win vs. East Germany at Leipzig

 

East Germany hosted Poland in Leipzig in a World Cup qualifier on October 10^th, 1981, that would determine which team would qualify for the World Cup in Spain in 1982.

The sides were involved in a three team Group along with Malta. The East German side had failed to qualify for the 1978 World Cup and were in the last days of the 1974 Generation.

Poland had been in a better form in these years. After an impressive third place in the 1974 World Cup, they had participated in the 1978 edition as well.

Some of the 1974 stars were still around, such as Lato and Szarmach, but the new star of the team was a member of the 1978 squad, Zbigniew Boniek.

While East Germany were fighting for their last chance to be in the World Cup, Poland were embroiled in an off-field incident that almost threatened to derail their hopes.

It all started with their first qualifier in Malta, at Gzira’s infamous non-grassy stadium, on December 7^th, 1980. The Team was managed by Ryszard Kulesza, little did he know it would be for the last time. The match itself was a comfortable win (2-0) with some controversy of its own. After the second Polish goal, Malta fans in anger threw stones and objects onto the field, the referee had no choice but to abandon the match in the 77^th minute (but the result was affirmed).

The major discussion was regarding the events prior to the match in the Polish camp.

Poland’s starting goalkeeper Józef Młynarczyk had arrived intoxicated to the airport on Poland’s flight to Italy for training camp prior to the Malta match. The Polish Manager Kulesza immediately dropped him. However, Boniek, Władysław Żmuda and Stanisław Terlecki came to Młynarczyk’s defense and threatened a boycott unless he was re-instated to the team. (Boniek and Zmuda were club-mates of him at Widzew Lodz).

All four players were sent home to face disciplinary hearings. In the aftermath of this mutiny, Boniek and Terlecki were suspended for one year, while Młynarczyk and Zmuda were suspended for eight months. In addition, Młynarczyk was suspended for two years from national team duty.

Due to the severity of the sentences, Poland’s Manager Kuszela offered to resign.

He was dismissed by the Polish Federation and replaced with Antoni Piechniczek in the Spring of 1981.

Antoni Piechniczek’s first important task was facing East Germany in a World Cup qualifier in Chorzów on May 2^nd, 1981, without the suspended players.

Meanwhile, East Germany, had also traveled to Malta in the previous month (April 4^th) and defeated Malta (2-1) in their first qualifier.

Piechniczek would pass this important test as Poland were victorious (1-0, Andrzej Buncol goal) and were now in the driver’s seat in terms of qualification.

Both teams were due to end their qualification matches at home against Malta. Since this was a formality, the match in Leipzig on October 10^th, was the decisive match.

 

Poland and Antoni Piechniczek received some good news as in the Fall of 1981, the suspended players were reprieved.

As hosts and trailing, East Germany were expected to attack and dominate. However, Poland had other ideas. In a quick burst, Poland scored twice in the first five minutes to more or less end the contest.

In the 2^nd minute, Szarmach headed in Waldemar Matysik’s cross from the right side. Just three minutes later, after being sent through, Smolarek dribbled past East German goalkeeper Graphentin to score. His first attempt was blocked on the line, but he knocked in the rebound.

Photo From: Mondial, New Series, Hors Serie 13, 1982

(October 10, 1981, World Cup qualifier, East Germany 2-Poland 3)

Photo From: Mondial, New Series, Hors Serie 13, 1982

(October 10, 1981, World Cup qualifier, East Germany 2-Poland 3)

In the second half, East German Manager Georg Buschner replaced Jurgen Pommerenke with Wolfgang Steinbach to liven up his side.

In the 57^th minute, East Germany pulled a goal back with a penalty kick by Rudiger Schnuphase.

Just a few minutes later, in the 61^st minute, Poland regained its two-goal advantage. Once more, Smolarek, after being supplied by Boniek, advanced and scored from a narrow angle.

East Germany were not done and in the 67^th minute, pulled one more goal back through Joachim Streich.

They could not breach the Polish defense again and lost and were out. The Polish players carried Antoni Piechniczek on their shoulders in triumph.

Photo From: Mondial, New series, issue 21, December 1981

(October 10, 1981, World Cup qualifier, East Germany 2-Poland 3)

After match, East German Manager George Buschner was asked, by German journalists, what and which Polish players had surprised him?

His response was, nothing nor any polish player had surprised them.

For his part, Antoni Piechniczek, stated that their only chance was counterattack. That was why they attacked fast in the beginning of the match while the opponent suspected nothing. He expressed satisfaction and added that his players had played a great match and everyone had played marvelously.

Photo From: Onze, Issue 71, November 1981

(October 10, 1981, World Cup qualifier, East Germany 2-Poland 3)

Photo From: Onze, Issue 71, November 1981

(October 10, 1981, World Cup qualifier, East Germany 2-Poland 3)

Photo From: Mondial, new series, issue 24, March 1982

(October 10, 1981, World Cup qualifier, East Germany 2-Poland 3)

In the next month, as expected, East Germany defeated Malta (5-1, on November 11^th). This would be Georg Buschner’s last match in charge and he would be replaced in the new year by Dr. Rudolf Krause.

The 1974 Generation of East Germany was effectively over as the Germans had to rebuild.

Just a few days later (November 15^th), Poland celebrated qualification, by defeating Malta (6-0).

Poland would go on to have a good World Cup with another third place finish. This capped off the Lato-Szarmach Generation. As for Boniek, he was on his way to Juventus in the Serie A. While Poland did qualify for the 1986 World Cup, they were no longer the same side. This match in 1981 was the last great act of their 1974 Generation.

 

Sources:

France Football, Issue 1854, October 20, 1981

Onze, Issue 71, November 1981

World Soccer, November 1981

World Soccer, December 1981

 

Photo From: World Soccer, December 1981

(October 10, 1981, World Cup qualifier, East Germany 2-Poland 3)

Photo From: World Soccer, November 1981

(October 10, 1981, World Cup qualifier, East Germany 2-Poland 3)

Photo From: Bialo Czerwoni 1921-2001, Author Andrzej Gowarzewski

(Poland squad, October 10, 1981, World Cup qualifier, East Germany 2-Poland 3)

 

Photo From: Guerin Sportivo No 43 (361), October 21-27, 1981

(Poland squad, October 10, 1981, World Cup qualifier, East Germany 2-Poland 3)

Photo From: Bialo Czerwoni 1921-2001, Author Andrzej Gowarzewski

(October 10, 1981, World Cup qualifier, East Germany 2-Poland 3)

Photo From: Onze, Issue 71, November 1981

(October 10, 1981, World Cup qualifier, East Germany 2-Poland 3)

Date: October 10, 1981

Competition: FIFA World Cup Qualifier-European Zone, Group 7

Result: East Germany 2-Poland 3

Venue: Leipzig, Zentralstadion

Attendance: 85,000

Referee: Augusto Lamo Castillo (Spain)

Linesmen: -

Kick-off time: 14:30

Goalscorers:

(East Germany): Rudiger Schnuphase 57 pen, Joachim Streich 67

(Poland): Andrzej Szarmach 2, Włodzimierz Smolarek 5, 61

Summary of goals:

0:1 (2^nd minute, Poland): Waldemar Matysik’s cross from the right side was headed in by Szarmach.

0:2 (5^th minute, Poland): From the middle, Smolarek was sent through, he dribbled past Graphentin, his first attempt was blocked on the line by an East German defender, he knocked in the rebound.

1:2 (57^th minute, East Germany): Jan Jałocha fouled Streich in the box. Rudiger Schnuphase scored from the ensuing penalty kick.

1:3 (61^st minute, Poland): Boniek sent Smolarek through on the left side, he advanced and shot from a narrow angle.

2:3 (67^th minute, East Germany): Steinbach’s cross from the left side was knocked in by Streich.

Lineups:

East Germany:

1-Hans-Ullrich Graphentin (Fussball-Club Carl Zeiss Jena e.V)

4-Konrad Weise (Fussball-Club Carl Zeiss Jena e.V)

3-Hans-Jürgen Dörner (Sportgemeinschaft Dynamo Dresden)

6-Rudiger Schnuphase (Fussball-Club Carl Zeiss Jena e.V)

2-Frank Baum (1. Fussball-Club Lokomotive Leipzig)

5-Lothar Kurbjuweit (Fussball-Club Carl Zeiss Jena e.V)

7-Jurgen Pommerenke (1. Fussball-Club Magdeburg) (13-Wolfgang Steinbach (1. Fussball-Club Magdeburg) 46)

8-Matthias Liebers (1. Fussball-Club Lokomotive Leipzig)

10-Hans-Jurgen Riediger (Berliner Fussball-Club Dynamo)

9-Joachim Streich (1. Fussball-Club Magdeburg)

11-Martin Trocha (Fussball-Club Carl Zeiss Jena e.V)

 

Coach: Georg Buschner

Booked: Frank Baum 33, Wolfgang Steinbach 79

 

Team Captain: Rudiger Schnuphase

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Adidas

Uniform Colors: White Shirts, Blue Shorts, White Socks

 

Poland:

1-Józef Młynarczyk (Robotnicze Towarzystwo Sportowe Widzew Łódź )    

2-Marek Dziuba (LKS (Lodzki Klub Sportowy)-Lodz) (14-Roman Wójcicki (Wrocławski Klub Sportowy Śląsk Wrocław) 65)

3-Władysław Żmuda (Robotnicze Towarzystwo Sportowe Widzew Łódź)    

5-Paweł Janas (Centralny Wojskowy Klub Sportowy Legia Warszawa)

4-Jan Jałocha (Gwardyjskie Towarzystwo Sportowe Wisla Krakow)

8-Stefan Majewski (Centralny Wojskowy Klub Sportowy Legia Warszawa)

6-Waldemar Matysik (Klub Sportowy Górnik Zabrze)

9-Zbigniew Boniek (Robotnicze Towarzystwo Sportowe Widzew Łódź)    

7-Grzegorz Lato (Koninklijke Sporting Club Lokeren / Belgium)

10-Andrzej Szarmach (Association de la Jeunesse Auxerroise / France) (16-Andrzej Iwan (Gwardyjskie Towarzystwo Sportowe Wisla Krakow) 9)

11-Włodzimierz Smolarek (Robotnicze Towarzystwo Sportowe Widzew Łódź)    

 

Coach: Antoni Piechniczek

Booked: Marek Dziuba 4, Jan Jałocha

Other Substitutes:

Andrzej Buncol (Klub Sportowy Ruch Chorzów)

Tadeusz Dolny (Klub Sportowy Górnik Zabrze)

Zdzisław Kapka (Gwardyjskie Towarzystwo Sportowe Wisla Krakow)

Janusz Kupcewicz (Morski Związkowy Klub Sportowy Arka Gdynia)    

Piotr Mowlik (Kolejowy Klub Sportowy Lech Poznán)     

Roman Ogaza (Górniczy Klub Sportowy Szombierki Bytom)

Mirosław Okoński (Centralny Wojskowy Klub Sportowy Legia Warszawa)

Piotr Skrobowski (Gwardyjskie Towarzystwo Sportowe Wisla Krakow)

Jan Tomaszewski (Hercules de Alicante Club de Fútbol / Spain)  

 

Team Captain: Marek Dziuba

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Adidas

Uniform Colors: Red Shirts, Red Shorts, Red Socks

Photo From: Onze, Hors Serie 12, 1982

(October 10, 1981, World Cup qualifier, East Germany 2-Poland 3)

Photo From: Onze, Hors Serie 12, 1982

(October 10, 1981, World Cup qualifier, East Germany 2-Poland 3)

Photo From: FUWO, October 13, 1981

(October 10, 1981, World Cup qualifier, East Germany 2-Poland 3)

Photo From: FUWO, October 13, 1981

(October 10, 1981, World Cup qualifier, East Germany 2-Poland 3)

Photo From: FUWO, October 13, 1981

(October 10, 1981, World Cup qualifier, East Germany 2-Poland 3)

Photo From: FUWO, October 13, 1981

(October 10, 1981, World Cup qualifier, East Germany 2-Poland 3)

Photo From: FUWO, October 13, 1981

(October 10, 1981, World Cup qualifier, East Germany 2-Poland 3)

Photo From: FUWO, October 13, 1981

(October 10, 1981, World Cup qualifier, East Germany 2-Poland 3)