• Home
  • About Us
  • Recruitment
  • Contact Us
  • Gallery
  INDIA SPURS:
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Recruitment
  • Contact Us
  • Gallery

Flying Down to Rio, Flight Twenty Three

24/5/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
The third World Cup was awarded to France, it has been suggested with war looming across Europe this was an attempt to show harmony between the nations. The Spanish civil war was already ranging and this would be the last major sporting event before World War 2 started the following year.

The next World Cup would be in 1950. FIFA also had in mind the problems of the last tournament held in that continent and the traveling involved. Once again the South Americans were unhappy with the choice of venue. Uruguay and Argentina boycotted the competition.

The South American sides felt the tournaments should rotate between the two continents with Argentina claiming it was their turn to host the event. The FIFA congress in 1936 had voted France 16 votes, Argentina 4 and Germany nil. For the first time the hosts (France) and holders (Italy) were given automatic qualification.

The Italian’s kept the 1934 winning coach Vittorio Pozzo and just four players from the last competition. 37 teams entered for the tournament. The number of finalists was reduced to 15 when Germany’s annexation of Austria after they qualified meant they could‘t compete.

Germany then included the best Austrians into their team. Not that it did them any good as they lost in the first round to Switzerland in a replay.
Picture
1. Czechoslovakia V Holland. Interesting backdrop.
Their manager, Sepp Herberger, would return and win the trophy in 1954.

The competition once again being a straight knock out format. Austria’s place was not offered to Latvia who had been second in Austria's group. FIFA did invite England, who had already declined one request at the qualifying stage, who declined again. The home nations were still in disagreement with FIFA over the rules regarding amateur players.
Picture
2. The Brazilian team , out for a walk.
The tournament saw an interesting new tactic used for the first time. The Swiss coached by an Austrian, Karl Rappan,  It became known as “the Swiss Bolt“.

W
e know it today as the "sweeper."


The first round saw the Dutch East Indies (Indonesia) make their only appearance on the world stage as they lost 6-0 to Hungary. Whilst Cuba who replaced Mexico at the last minute took Rumania to a replay and then beat them to progress.

The only South American team, Brazil, played Poland in an amazing game that finished 6-5. Ernest Wilimowski scored four goals, the first man to do so in the Finals and he was still on the losing side. The Brazilian Leonidas scored a hat trick in that game and was the tournaments top scorer with seven. He is said to have had great acrobatic skills which led to his nickname in Brazil, ‘The Rubber Man.’ Leonidas was left out of the side for the semi-final. The coach claimed he was resting him for the final, although some felt he was trying to hide the player was injured. Either way Brazil lost in the semi-final. Leonidas did return for the 3rd  place play off where he scored twice. The European crowd called him ‘The Black Diamond.’ Upon his return to Brazil he endorsed a chocolate bar with this name. 

In the quarter finals Brazil had played Czechoslovakia and another game of mayhem followed in between three players being sent off, the Czech goalie received a broken arm while their center forward suffered a broken leg.  

Picture
3. The Italians retain the trophy.
In another quarter final France met Italy, who at the order of Mussolini worn black shirts. Italy progressed and would beat Hungary 4-2 in the Final of the 15 day event. Italy becoming the first team to retain the trophy and France the first host nation not to be champions. 

Meanwhile in N17 - Having been relegated in 1935. Tottenham finished 5th in Division 2.

Top image - Poster for the competition.

Thanks to - FIFA, BBC, The Times, ESPN, Planet World Cup, The Guardian,


About the author:
Keith Harrison,
Nilgiris, TN
View Full Bio
Follow Keith on Twitter  @keith16024542


0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Features

    Flying Down to Rio
    History of T.H.F.C.
    Tribute to Bill Nicholson
    Talking Tottenham
    Early Legends
    The Road to Turin
    International Connections
    Hotspur Towers

    Most Read Articles

    The 100 Year War
    Interview with Marina Sirtis

    A Long Dark Shadow
    By Royal Appointment
    School Report: An Insight into the Younger Eric Dier
    Dear Jimmy
    All Change At Spurs
    Hotspur Towers
    History Of THFC: Part 1

    Passage to India: Rohan Rickets
    Thanks For The Memories
    Our Tommy Carroll
    The AVB Files: Part1 
    The Lilywhites 
    You The Jury
    The Hand Of Hugo
    Connection - Argentina
    Creating a Reputation
    One Hotspur


    Archives

    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013

    Categories

    All
    Fanpost
    Interviews
    Keith Harrison
    Martin Cloake
    Match Preview
    News
    Nikhil Saglani
    Tactics
    Transfer
    Youth Team

    RSS Feed

    Picture
    View all titles
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Recruitment
  • Contact Us
  • Gallery