Friday, June 10, 2016

New Additions: Soccer at the Olympics-Part 1 (1908-London. England)

The 1908 edition Olympics at London were the first to feature National Teams of Soccer.
Initially Rome was the designated City to host the events but backed down.
As hosts and pioneers of the game (having a head start of nearly half a century in International Soccer), England were always seen as the favorites.
It is worthy to note, that in the Olympics, Great Britain represented all four Home Nations, however, in these games, even though they were referred as Great Britain, it was the England Amateur team that represented the hosts.
England were also the only member of the Home Nations affiliated with FIFA and it made sense for them to participate.
The English team, in contrast with the other participants, was not its full National team, but its Amateur team.
International Football was a relatively novel concept and some of the Nations were literally making their debuts in the International Arena.
Denmark for one still had not played a single International match, while Sweden had played its first ever match just months earlier.
In all eight teams participated in these first Football Olympics: the hosts (England Amateurs) and France (2 teams), Denmark, Holland, Sweden, Hungary and Bohemia.
France participated with two squads (since the rules authorized it) and took along its main National Team, as well as a ‘B’ team.
Before the matches could even start, the list of participants was whittled down as both members of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Hungary and Bohemia (future Czechoslovakia) were forced to withdraw.
Hungary withdrew because of the Bosnian Crisis, whereby the Austro-Hungarian Empire annexed Bosnia and Herzegovina. (A precursor to the Great War that would engulf the continent in 1914).
Bohemia withdrew since they had lost their membership to FIFA in the previous spring.
French soccer under the jurisdiction of U.S.F.S.A. (Union des sociétés françaises de sports athlétiques) had not wanted to make the trip, but complied after pressure from the Organizing Committee.
Incidentally, U.S.F.S.A. had been exluded from FIFA on June 7, 1908, because FIFA would not recognize English Amateur Football Association.
FIFA’s rules stated that only one Association per Nation could join and the English FA was a member.
In haste, France called up in the excess of 40 players and after a single training session divided the teams into ‘A’ and ‘B’.
This utter lack of preparation would haunt and humiliate them.
Due to the withdrawals of Hungary and Bohemia, France and Holland advanced to the Semifinals without kicking a ball. (Holland were to face Hungary and France were to meet Bohemia).
On October 19th at Shepherds Bush, Denmark and the French ‘B’ squad kicked off the Tournament.
Denmark, managed by Englishman Charles Williams, had been in England since October 14th and had been under Specific Physical Preparation since September 20th.
The French in contrast had been hurriedly pasted together. The Parisian contingent of the squad had left Paris, the day before the match at 9 PM and had then taken a boat at Calais and arrived at London on the morning of the match.
Prior to their arrival, they had lost to injury four players: Etienne Morillon, Victor Denis, Rene Eucher and Albert Schaff.
As a result an already under-prepared squad took the field with six debutants.
Denmark were playing the first ever International Match of their history. They won (9-0) with Vilhelm Wolfhagen scoring four goals.

Photo From: L’Equipe, L’Equipe de France de Football, la Belle Histoire
(Denmark squad, October 19, 1908, Olympics, Denmark 9-France ‘B’ 0)

Denmark featured Harald Bohr, the brother of famous Physicist Niels (he won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1922).

Photo From: L’Equipe, L’Equipe de France de Football, la Belle Histoire
(October 19, 1908, Olympics, Denmark 9-France ‘B’ 0)

The following day (October 20th), the hosts took on Sweden at White City Stadium.
The Swedes were only playing their third ever International and were comprehensively defeated (1-12), which remains to this day their heaviest defeat in an International Match.

Photo From: IFFHS, England (1872-1940), Eire (1924-1940), England/Amateurs (1906-1940)
(England’s Herbert Smith)


Photo From: IFFHS, Danmark (1908-1940), Sverige (1908-10940)
(Sweden’s Karl Ansen)


Photo From: IFFHS, Danmark (1908-1940), Sverige (1908-10940)
(Sweden squad, October 20, 1908, Olympics, England (amateurs) 12-Sweden 1)

The semifinals took place two days later. England hosted Holland and defeated them (4-0) with Stapley scoring all four goals.


Photo From: Oranje Toen En Nu, Deel 1, 1905-1914, 2000-2001, Author: Matty Verkamman
(October 22, 1908, Olympics, England (amateurs) 4-Holland 0)

Photo From: Oranje Toen En Nu, Deel 1, 1905-1914, 2000-2001, Author: Matty Verkamman
(Holland squad, October 22, 1908, Olympics, England (amateurs) 4-Holland 0)

On the same day, Denmark this time faced the main French National team. If the first encounter with the ‘B’ team had been simple, this task would be unbelievably easier. Denmark defeated France with the astonishing score of (17-1). Needless to say, this is France’s record defeat.



Photo From: L’Equipe, L’Equipe de France de Football, la Belle Histoire
(October 22, 1908, Olympics, Denmark 17-France 1)

Photo From: L’Equipe, L’Equipe de France de Football, la Belle Histoire
(October 22, 1908, Olympics, Denmark 17-France 1)

The equally under-prepared ‘A’ squad had arrived in London only two hours before the match and were exhausted and were predictably outplayed.

Photo From: L’Equipe, L’Equipe de France de Football, la Belle Histoire
(October 22, 1908, Olympics, Denmark 17-France 1)

Denmark’s Sophus Nielsen, who had scored one goal against the ‘B’ Team, set a World Record by scoring 10 goals in this match.
His record remained in place until April 11, 2001, when Australia’s Archie Thompson scored 13 goals vs. American Samoa in a World Cup Qualifier (31-0 win).

Photo From: L’Equipe, L’Equipe de France de Football, la Belle Histoire
(Denmark’s Sophus Nielsen)

France were so overcome with these double humiliating defeats that they refused to take part in the Bronze Medal match vs. Holland (Sweden took their place).
The French Press blamed U.S.F.S.A. for their inadequate preparations. Teams were manufactured with players who had never even played together before.
In addition players within the jurisdiction of F.G.S.P.F. (Fédération gymnastique et sportive des patronages de France) had been excluded.
On October 23rd, Holland defeated Sweden (2-0) to claim the Bronze medal. Incidentally, just two days later the sides faced one another in a friendly in Holland (Den Haag) and this time Holland won (5-3).


Photo From: Oranje Toen En Nu, Deel 1, 1905-1914, 2000-2001, Author: Matty Verkamman
(October 23, 1908, Olympics, Holland 2-Sweden 0)

Photo From: Oranje Toen En Nu, Deel 1, 1905-1914, 2000-2001, Author: Matty Verkamman
(Holland squad, October 23, 1908, Olympics, Holland 2-Sweden 0)

Photo From: Oranje Toen En Nu, Deel 1, 1905-1914, 2000-2001, Author: Matty Verkamman
(Englishman Edgar Wallace Chdwick, Manager of Holland)

The stage was set for the first ever Soccer Olympics Final at London’s White City Stadium on October 24th.
Predictably England defeated Denmark (2-0) for the Gold Medal with goals by Frederick Chapman and Vivian Woodward.


Photo From: IFFHS, England (1872-1940), Eire (1924-1940), England/Amateurs (1906-1940)
(England’s Kenneth Hunt)

Photo From: IFFHS, England (1872-1940), Eire (1924-1940), England/Amateurs (1906-1940)
(England’s Harold Hardman)

As the score indicates this was their hardest match but their superiority was never in doubt in this era.
England’s Captain Vivian Woodward was perhaps one of the most famous players of the English Amateur history.
He also served his Nation’s Military during World War I and was wounded in 1916.

Photo From: IFFHS, England (1872-1940), Eire (1924-1940), England/Amateurs (1906-1940)
(England’s Vivian Woodward)

It was a modest start for a competition under a fledgling FIFA, founded only four years prior.
This competition would grow to such an extent that it would necessitate the creation of the World Cup in 1930.



Note:
1-Denmark’s Oskar Norland’s last name was Nielsen; He changed it to Norland in 1916. (Source: IFFHS, Danmark (1908-1940), Sverige (1908-10940))

2-Following France‘s both matches vs. Denmark, the Match Information was relayed so slow and inaccurately to French Magazines and the Press, that Annual Federation Records published erroneous lineups for many years after.
For many years, Raoul Gressier, Pierre Six and Justin Vialaret’s participation was ignored until the records were corrected.


 
Photo From: Oranje Toen En Nu, Deel 1, 1905-1914, 2000-2001, Author: Matty Verkamman
(England (amateurs) squad, 1908 Olympics)

I. Olympics-Quarterfinals


October 19, 1908
Quarterfinals
Holland –Hungary (Hungary withdrew, Holland advanced)


October 19, 1908
Denmark 9-Framce ‘B’ 0
Quarterfinals
Venue: London- Shepherds Bush, England
Attendance: 2,000
Referee: Thomas Kyle (England)
Goalscorers:
(Denmark): Nils Middelboe 10, 50, Vilhelm Wolfhagen 14, 17, 67, 72, Harald Bohr 25, 46, Sophus Nielsen 78   
(France ‘B’): None
Lineups:
Denmark:
Ludvig Drescher (KB-Kjøbenhavns Boldklub-Copenhagen)
Charles Buchwald (AB-Akademisk Boldklub-Copenhagen)
Harald Hansen (Boldklubben af 1893-Copenhagen)
Harald Bohr (AB-Akademisk Boldklub-Copenhagen)
Kristian Middlesboe (captain) (KB-Kjøbenhavns Boldklub-Copenhagen)
Nils Middleboe (KB-Kjøbenhavns Boldklub-Copenhagen)
Oskar Norland (KB-Kjøbenhavns Boldklub-Copenhagen)
August Lindgreen (Boldklubben af 1893-Copenhagen)
Sophus ‘Krolben’ Nielsen (Boldklubben Frem-Copenhagen)
Vilhelm Wolfhagen (KB-Kjøbenhavns Boldklub-Copenhagen)
Peter Marius Andersen (Boldklubben Frem-Copenhagen)

Coach: Charles Williams (England)

France’B’:
Fernand Desrousseaux  (Union Sportive Tourquennoise)
Joseph Verlet (captain) (Cercle Athlétique de Paris)    
Charles Bilot (Cercle Athlétique de Paris)     
Sadi Dastarac (Gallia Club- Paris)
Raoul Gressier  (Racing Club de Calais)
Justin Vialaret (C.A. XIV°)
Pierre Six (Olympique Lillois)
Albert Jenicot (Racing Club de Roubaix)    
Henri Holgard (Amiens Athlétic Club)   
Paul Mathaux (Union Sportive de Boulogne Côte d'Opale) 
Adrien Filez (Union Sportive Tourquennoise)

Coach: Technical Commission
Other Subsstitutes:
Georges Prouvost




October 20, 1908
Quarterfinals
France –Bohemia (Bohemia withdrew, France advanced)



October 20, 1908
England (Amateurs) 12-Sweden 1 (Halftime 7-0)
Quarterfinals
Venue: London- White City Stadium
Attendance: 2,000
Referee: John T. Ibottson (England)
Goalscorers:
(England): Stapley 15, Woodward, Berry, Chapman, Purnell, Stapley, Woodward, Purnell, Purnell, Hawkes, Hawkes, Purnell
In Total: Hawkes 2 goals, Chapman, Berry, Woodward 2 goals, Stapley 2 goals, Purnell 4 goals
(Sweden): Gustaf Bergström 65
Lineups:
England:
Horace Peter Bailey (Leicester City FC)
Walter Samuel Corbett (Birmingham FC)
Herbert Smith (Reading FC)
Kenneth Reginald Gunnery Hunt (Wolverhampton Wanderers FC)
Frederick W. Chapman (South Notts FC-Nottingham)
Robert Murray Hawkes (Luton Town FC)
Arthur Berry (Oxford University)
Vivian John Woodward (Captain) (Tottenham Hotspur FC-London)
Harold S. Stapley (Glossop North End FC)
Claude Victor Purnell (Clapton Orient FC)
Harold Payne Hardman (Northern Nomads FC)

Coach: Technical Commission

Sweden:
Oskar Bengtsson (Örgryte Idrottssällskap- Göteborg)
Åke Fjästad (IFK (Idrottsföreningen Kamraterna)  Stockholm)
Teodor Malm (AIK (Allmänna Idrottsklubben) Solna-Stockholm)
Sven Olsson (Örgryte Idrottssällskap- Göteborg)
Hans Lindman (captain) (IFK (Idrottsföreningen Kamraterna) Uppsala)
Olof Ohlson (IFK (Idrottsföreningen Kamraterna) Eskilstuna)
Sune Almkvist (IFK (Idrottsföreningen Kamraterna) Uppsala)
Gustaf Bergström (Örgryte Idrottssällskap- Göteborg)
Karl Gustafsson (IFK (Idrottsföreningen Kamraterna) Köping)
Sven Ohlsson (Mariebergs Idrottsklubb-Stockholm)
Karl Ansen (AIK (Allmänna Idrottsklubben) Solna-Stockholm)

Coach: Ludwig Kornerup


Note: The minutes of the goals were not recorded, only the first goal by Stapley is recorded at the 15th minute.



II. Olympics-Semifinals



October 22, 1908
England (Amateurs) 4-Holland 0
Semifinals
Venue: London- White City Stadium
Attendance: 6,000
Referee: John Thomas Howcroft (England)
Goalscorers:
(England): Harold Stapley 37, 60, 64, 75
(Holland): None
Lineups:
England:
Horace Peter Bailey (Leicester City FC)
Walter Samuel Corbett (Birmingham FC)
Herbert Smith (Reading FC)
Kenneth Reginald Gunnery Hunt (Wolverhampton Wanderers FC)
Frederick W. Chapman (South Notts FC-Nottingham)
Robert Murray Hawkes (Luton Town FC)
Arthur Berry (Oxford University)
Vivian John Woodward (Captain) (Tottenham Hotspur FC-London)
Harold S. Stapley (Glossop North End FC)
Claude Victor Purnell (Clapton Orient FC)
Harold Payne Hardman (Northern Nomads FC)

Coach: Technical Commission

Holland:
Reinier Bertus Beeuwkes (DFC (Dordtsche Football Club)- Dordrecht)
Karel Heijting (H.V.V.(Haagse Voetbal Vereniging)-Den Haag)
prof. dr. Louis Otten (hv&cv (Haagse voetbal en cricket vereniging) Quick- Den Haag)
mr Johan Wilhelm Eduard ‘Ed’ Solm (H.V.V.(Haagse Voetbal Vereniging)-Den Haag)
Johannes Marius ‘Bok’ de Korver
(Rotterdamsche Voetbal en Atletiek Vereniging Sparta –Rotterdam)  
Emil Gustav ‘Miel’ Mundt (captain) (H.V.V.(Haagse Voetbal Vereniging)-Den Haag)
mr Jan Herman ‘Caius’ Welcker (hv&cv (Haagse voetbal en cricket vereniging) Quick- Den Haag)
dr Everardus ‘Edu’ Snethlage
(hv&cv (Haagse voetbal en cricket vereniging) Quick- Den Haag)
Gerard Simon ‘Jops’ Reeman (hv&cv (Haagse voetbal en cricket vereniging) Quick- Den Haag)
dr Johannes ‘Jan’ Thomée (rc&fc (Rotterdamsche cricket & football club) Concordia–Rotterdam) 
Georges François ‘Frans’ de Bruyn Kops (HBS (Houdt Braef Standt)-Den Haag)

Coach: Edgar Chadwick (England)
Other Substitutes:
dr Eloi Hubert ‘Lo’ la Chapelle (H.V.V.(Haagse Voetbal Vereniging)-Den Haag)
Victor Albert ‘Vic’ Gonsalves (HBS (Houdt Braef Standt)-Den Haag)
mr Johannes Cornelis ‘John’ Heijning (H.V.V.(Haagse Voetbal Vereniging)-Den Haag)
Johan Adolf Frederik ‘Jan’ Kok (UD (Utile Dulci) -Deventer)
dr Albert Willem ‘Toine’ van Renterghem (HBS (Houdt Braef Standt)-Den Haag)
Jan van den Berg (Football Club Haarlem)



October 22, 1908
Denmark 17-France 1
Semifinals
Venue: London- Shepherds Bush, England
Attendance: 1,000
Referee: Thomas P. Campbell (England)
Goalscorers:
(Denmark): Sophus Nielsen 3, 4, 6, 39, 46, 48, 52, 64, 66, 76, August Lindgreen 18, 37, Nils Middleboe 68, Vilhelm Wolfhagen 60, 72, 82, 89
(France): Emile Sartorius 16
Lineups:
Denmark:
Ludvig Drescher (KB-Kjøbenhavns Boldklub-Copenhagen)
Charles Buchwald (AB-Akademisk Boldklub-Copenhagen)
Harald Hansen (Boldklubben af 1893-Copenhagen)
Harald Bohr (AB-Akademisk Boldklub-Copenhagen)
Kristian Middlesboe (captain) (KB-Kjøbenhavns Boldklub-Copenhagen)
Nils Middleboe (KB-Kjøbenhavns Boldklub-Copenhagen)
Johannes Gandil (Boldklubben af 1893-Copenhagen)
August Lindgreen (Boldklubben af 1893-Copenhagen)
Sophus ‘Krolben’ Nielsen (Boldklubben Frem-Copenhagen)
Vilhelm Wolfhagen (KB-Kjøbenhavns Boldklub-Copenhagen)
Bjorn Rasmussen (KB-Kjøbenhavns Boldklub-Copenhagen)

Coach: Charles Williams (England)

France:
Maurice Tillette (Union Sportive de Boulogne Côte d'Opale)  
Ursule Wibaut (Olympique Lillois)
Jean Dubly (Racing Club de Roubaix)      
Georges Bayrou (Gallia Club- Paris) 
Charles Renaux (Racing Club de Roubaix)      
Louis Schubart (Olympique Lillois) 
Emile Sartorius (Racing Club de Roubaix)     
Georges Albert (Cercle Athlétique de Paris)      
André François (captain) (Racing Club de Roubaix)   
Gaston Cyores (Cercle Athlétique de Paris)      
René Fenouillere (Red Star Amical Club-Paris)   
         
Coach: Technical Commission
Other Substitutes:
J. Signoret
Albert Dubly (Racing Club de Roubaix)      



III. Olympics-Bronze Medal



October 23, 1908
Holland 2-Sweden 0
Bronze Medal
Venue: London- Shepherds Bush, England
Attendance: 1,000
Referee: John Hargreaves Pearson (England)
Goalscorers:
(Holland): Jops Reeman 6, Edu Snethlage 58
(Sweden): None
Lineups:
Holland:
Reinier Bertus Beeuwkes (DFC (Dordtsche Football Club)- Dordrecht)
Karel Heijting
(H.V.V.(Haagse Voetbal Vereniging)-Den Haag)
prof. dr. Louis Otten (hv&cv (Haagse voetbal en cricket vereniging) Quick- Den Haag)
mr Johan Wilhelm Eduard ‘Ed’ Solm (H.V.V.(Haagse Voetbal Vereniging)-Den Haag)
Johannes Marius ‘Bok’ de Korver
(captain) (Rotterdamsche Voetbal en Atletiek Vereniging Sparta –Rotterdam)  
Johan Adolf Frederik ‘Jan’ Kok (UD (Utile Dulci) -Deventer)
mr Jan Herman ‘Caius’ Welcker (hv&cv (Haagse voetbal en cricket vereniging) Quick- Den Haag)
dr Everardus ‘Edu’ Snethlage
(hv&cv (Haagse voetbal en cricket vereniging) Quick- Den Haag)
Jops Reeman (hv&cv (Haagse voetbal en cricket vereniging) Quick- Den Haag)
dr Johannes ‘Jan’ Thomée (rc&fc (Rotterdamsche cricket & football club) Concordia–Rotterdam) 
Georges François ‘Frans’ de Bruyn Kops (HBS (Houdt Braef Standt)-Den Haag)

Coach: Edgar Chadwick (England)
Other Substitutes:
dr Eloi Hubert ‘Lo’ la Chapelle (H.V.V.(Haagse Voetbal Vereniging)-Den Haag)
Victor Albert ‘Vic’ Gonsalves (HBS (Houdt Braef Standt)-Den Haag)
mr Johannes Cornelis ‘John’ Heijning (H.V.V.(Haagse Voetbal Vereniging)-Den Haag)
Emil Gustav ‘Miel’ Mundt (H.V.V.(Haagse Voetbal Vereniging)-Den Haag)
dr Albert Willem ‘Toine’ van Renterghem (HBS (Houdt Braef Standt)-Den Haag)
Jan van den Berg (Football Club Haarlem)

Sweden:
Oskar Bengtsson (Örgryte Idrottssällskap- Göteborg)
Åke Fjästad (IFK (Idrottsföreningen Kamraterna)  Stockholm)
Nils Andersson (IFK (Idrottsföreningen Kamraterna) Göteborg)
Sven Olsson (Örgryte Idrottssällskap- Göteborg)
Hans Lindman (captain) (IFK (Idrottsföreningen Kamraterna) Uppsala)
Valter Liden (IFK (Idrottsföreningen Kamraterna) Göteborg)
Arvid Fagrell (IFK (Idrottsföreningen Kamraterna) Göteborg)
Gustaf Bergström (Örgryte Idrottssällskap- Göteborg)
Olof Ohlson (IFK (Idrottsföreningen Kamraterna) Eskilstuna)
Karl Gustafsson (IFK (Idrottsföreningen Kamraterna) Köping)
Karl Ansen (AIK (Allmänna Idrottsklubben) Solna-Stockholm)

Coach: Ludwig Kornerup


IV. Olympics-Gold Medal



October 24, 1908
England (Amateurs) 2-Denamrk 0
Gold Medal
Venue: London- White City Stadium
Attendance: 8,000
Referee: John Lewis (England)
Goalscorers:
(England): Frederick Chapman 20, Vivian Woodward 46
(Denmark): None
Lineups:
England:
Horace Peter Bailey (Leicester City FC)
Walter Samuel Corbett (Birmingham FC)
Herbert Smith (Reading FC)
Kenneth Reginald Gunnery Hunt (Wolverhampton Wanderers FC)
Frederick W. Chapman (South Notts FC-Nottingham)
Robert Murray Hawkes (Luton Town FC)
Arthur Berry (Oxford University)
Vivian John Woodward (Captain) (Tottenham Hotspur FC-London)
Harold S. Stapley (Glossop North End FC)
Claude Victor Purnell (Clapton Orient FC)
Harold Payne Hardman (Northern Nomads FC)

Coach: Technical Commission

Denmark:
Ludvig Drescher (KB-Kjøbenhavns Boldklub-Copenhagen)
Charles Buchwald (AB-Akademisk Boldklub-Copenhagen)
Harald Hansen (Boldklubben af 1893-Copenhagen)
Harald Bohr (AB-Akademisk Boldklub-Copenhagen)
Kristian Middlesboe (captain) (KB-Kjøbenhavns Boldklub-Copenhagen)
Nils Middleboe (KB-Kjøbenhavns Boldklub-Copenhagen)
Oskar Norland (KB-Kjøbenhavns Boldklub-Copenhagen)
August Lindgreen (Boldklubben af 1893-Copenhagen)
Sophus ‘Krolben’ Nielsen (Boldklubben Frem-Copenhagen)
Vilhelm Wolfhagen (KB-Kjøbenhavns Boldklub-Copenhagen)
Bjorn Rasmussen (KB-Kjøbenhavns Boldklub-Copenhagen)

Coach: Charles Williams (England)

Final Standings:
1-England
2-Denmark
3-Holland
4-Sweden
5-France ‘A’
6-France ‘B’

Top Goalscorer- Sophus Nielsen (Denmark) 11 goals


References:
L'Integrale de L'Equipe de France de Football, Authors: J.M. and Pierre Cazal, Michel Oreggia, 1998
IFFHS, England (1872-1940), Eire (1924-1940), England/Amateurs (1906-1940)
Oranje Toen En Nu, Deel 1, 1905-1914, 2000-2001, Author: Matty Verkamman
IFFHS, Danmark (1908-1940), Sverige (1908-10940)
L’Equipe, L’Equipe de France de Football, la Belle Histoire

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