II WORLD CUP (ITALY 1934)

FINAL STAGE — GAME DETAILS

(From 27-05-1934 to 10-06-1934)

FIRST ROUND
STADIUM: Stadio Nazionale del PNF (Roma) DATE: 27-05-1934 (16:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 25.000 REFEREE: René Mercet (SWI) GOALS: 1-0 (Schiavio 18’); 2-0 (Orsi 20’); 3-0 (Schiavio 29’); 3-1 (Donelli 57’); 4-1 (Ferrari 63’); 5-1 (Schiavio 64’); 6-1 (Orsi 69’); 7-1 (Meazza 90+’) [Incidents: Opening game of the World Cup, played half an hour earlier than the rest of the First Round matches and attended by “Il Duce” Benito Mussolini.]
		Italy - USA
		7-1 (3-0)
ITALY Combi (c) Rosetta, Allemandi Pizziolo, Monti, Bertolini Guarisi, Meazza, Schiavio, Ferrari, Orsi COACH: Vittorio Pozzo			USA Hjulian Czerkiewicz, Moorhouse (c) Pietras, Gonsalves, Florie Ryan, Nilsen, Donelli, Dick, McLean COACH: David Gould
GAME SUMMARY Easy victory for hosts Italy in front of Benito Mussolini in the “Stadio Nazionale del Partito Nazionale Fascista” (in which everyone had to do a straightarm salute to “Il Duce”, including the game officials). In minute 18, Schiavio opened the score with a powerful shot after receiving a through ball from Ferrari. Only two minutes later, the Italian center forward assisted Orsi for the second goal. Near the half hour mark, Schiavio again was on target with a 25-meter shot. In the second half, Donelli pulled one back for the USA with a close-range shot, but quicky came Ferrari to make it 4-1, and within a minute Schiavio headed in a Guarisi’s corner for the Italian goal number 100 in the World Cup. In minute 69, Orsi sent a volley past a tangle of players to make it 6-1. After new opportunities by Allemandi and Ferrari, Meazza completed the thrashing with a new goal in injury time.

FIRST ROUND
STADIUM: Benito Mussolini (Torino) DATE: 27-05-1934 (16:30 h) ATTENDANCE: 16.000 REFEREE: John van Moorsel (NED) GOALS: 0-1 (Nicolas 18’); 1-1 (Sindelar 44’); 2-1 (Schall 93’); 3-1 (Bičan 109’); 3-2 (Verriest [p.] 118’) [Incidents: First game in the history of the World Cup to go into extra-time.]
		Austria - France
		3-2 (1-1;1-1)
AUSTRIA Platzer Cisar, Sesta Wagner, Smistik (c), Urbanek Zischek, Bičan, Sindelar, Schall, Viertl COACH: Hugo Meisl			FRANCE Thépot (c) Mairesse, Mattler Delfour, Verriest, Liétaer Keller, Alcázar, Nicolas, Rio, Aston COACH: George Kimpton
GAME SUMMARY After hosts Italy, Austria was considered the top favorites to win the World Cup, as they dominated the early 30s in European football. However, France gave them a scare as Nicolas took advantage of Cisar’s blunder after a cross by Keller and scored the first goal. Just before halftime, Sindelar equalized from Bičan’s pass. Since the game was tied 1-1 at the end of regulation, it was necessary to play an extra-time, in which Schall put Austria ahead from a position that looked as a clear offside. Bičan shot the third goal for the Austrians, high to Thépot’s right. Although France scored a late goal by Verriest from the penalty spot (for handball by Wagner), there was no time for the French comeback.

FIRST ROUND
STADIUM: Giovanni Berta (Firenze) DATE: 27-05-1934 (16:30 h) ATTENDANCE: 8.000 REFEREE: Francesco Mattea (ITA) GOALS: 1-0 (Kobierski 25’); 1-1 (Voorhoof 29’); 1-2 (Voorhoof 43’); 2-2 (Siffling 49’); 3-2 (Conen 66’); 4-2 (Conen 70’); 5-2 (Conen 87’) [Incidents: The Nazis had just taken power in Germany, and their football team came onto the pitch with a svastika on their flag.]
		Germany - Belgium
		5-2 (1-2)
GERMANY Kreß Haringer, Schwartz Janes, Szepan (c), Zielinski Lehner, Hohmann, Conen, Siffling, Kobierski COACH: Otto Nerz			BELGIUM Van de Weyer Smellinckx, Joacim Peeraer, Welkenhuysen (c), Claessens De Vries, Voorhoof, Capelle, Grimmonprez, Heremans COACH: Hector Goetinck
GAME SUMMARY Kobierski put Germany ahead midway the first half, but Voorhoof scored twice for Belgium before halftime. In the second half, the Germans showed resilience and took advantange of their higher stamina to come back, thanks to a free kick of Siffling and a hat-trick of 19-year-old Conen (although his first two goals came while Claessens was off the field injured).

FIRST ROUND
STADIUM: Stadio del Littorio (Trieste) DATE: 27-05-1934 (16:30 h) ATTENDANCE: 9.000 REFEREE: Jean Langenus (BEL) GOALS: 0-1 (Dobai 11’); 1-1 (Puč 50’); 2-1 (Nejedlý 67’)
		Czechoslovakia - Romania
		2-1 (0-1)
CZECHOSLOVAKIA Plánička (c) Ženíšek, Čtyřoký Košťálek, Čambal, Krčil Junek, Silný, Sobotka, Nejedlý, Puč COACH: Karel Petrů			ROMANIA Zombori Vogl (c), Albu Deheleanu, Cotormani, Moraveţ Bindea, Kovacs, Sepi, Bodola, Dobai COACH: Josef Uridil
GAME SUMMARY Although Czechoslovakia were heavy favorites for this game, they were lucky to go through. Romania scored an early goal thanks to Dobai, and Bindea missed a clear opportunity to extend the lead before halftime. In the second half, Czechoslovakia equalized when Puč converted Košťálek’s free kick, and after Sepi missed another glaring chance, the Czechs went ahead with a controversial goal by Nejedlý. In the last minutes, Romania launched a desperate attack but Plánička frustrated them with great saves.

FIRST ROUND
STADIUM: San Siro (Milano) DATE: 27-05-1934 (16:30 h) ATTENDANCE: 33.000 REFEREE: Ivan Eklind (SWE) GOALS: 1-0 (Kielholz 7’); 1-1 (Smit 29’); 2-1 (Kielholz 43’); 3-1 (Abegglen 69’); 3-2 (Vente 84’)
		Switzerland - Netherlands
		3-2 (2-1)
SWITZERLAND Séchehaye Minelli (c), Weiler Guinchard, Jaccard, Hufschmid Von Känel, Passello, Kielholz, Abegglen, Bossi COACH: Heini Müller			NETHERLANDS Van der Meulen Weber, Van Run Pellikaan, Anderiesen, Van Heel (c) Wels, Vente, Bakhuijs, Smit, Van Nellen COACH: Bob Glendenning
GAME SUMMARY Although Holland had some well-know players, the Swiss were too quick and determined for them in this game. Kielholz (who played with glasses) scored first, Smit tied the game and just before halftime a bad bounce took Kielholz’s shot past Van der Meulen. In the second half, Von Känel sprinted away to make a volleyed goal for the bald and skilful Abegglen (one of three international brothers). Although Holland dominated the last twenty minutes (hitting a post and Vente putting in a free kick), Switzerland held on to their victory.

FIRST ROUND
STADIUM: Stadio Littoriale (Bologna) DATE: 27-05-1934 (16:30 h) ATTENDANCE: 14.000 REFEREE: Erwin Braun (AUT) GOALS: 0-1 (Belis 4’); 1-1 (Jonasson 9’); 1-2 (Galateo 48’); 2-2 (Jonasson 67’); 3-2 (Kroon 79’)
		Sweden - Argentina
		3-2 (1-1)
SWEDEN Rydberg Axelsson, S. Andersson Carlsson, Rosén (c), E. Andersson Dunker, Gustavsson, Jonasson, Keller, Kroon COACH: József Nagy			ARGENTINA Freschi Pedevilla, Belis Nehín, Urbieta Sosa, López Rúa, Wilde, Devincenzi (c), Galateo, Irañeta COACH: Felipe Pascucci
GAME SUMMARY A split in the Argentinian league led to their federation to send over an amateur team to Italy (only López and Devincenzi had been capped before). The South Americans took an early lead in minute 4, when Belis sent a free kick to the top corner, but five minutes later Jonasson equalized for Sweden. In a similar way to the first half, Argentina went ahead again soon after the restart when Irañeta crossed to Galateo and the inside left shot on target. However, the South American advantage was later neutralized by Sweden, when Jonasson made the most of some Argentinian defensive errors, and finally overtaken by Kroon.

FIRST ROUND
STADIUM: Luigi Ferraris (Genova) DATE: 27-05-1934 (16:30 h) ATTENDANCE: 21.000 REFEREE: Alfred Birlem (GER) GOALS: 1-0 (Iraragorri [p.] 18’); 2-0 (Lángara 25’); 3-0 (Lángara 29’); 3-1 (Leônidas 55’) [Incidents: FIFA credits the second Spanish goal to Iraragorri. Waldemar missed a penalty shot (min. 70), saved by Zamora.]
		Spain - Brazil
		3-1 (3-0)
SPAIN Zamora (c) Ciriaco, Quincoces Cilaurren, Muguerza, Marculeta Lafuente, Iraragorri, Lángara, Lecue, Gorostiza COACH: Amadeo García Salazar			BRAZIL Pedrosa Sylvio, Luiz Luz Tinoco, Martim (c), Canalli Luizinho, Waldemar, Armandinho, Leônidas, Patesko COACH: Luiz Augusto Vinhaes
GAME SUMMARY Plenty of new faces in the Brazilian team (as many as eight new caps) and only a black player (Leônidas). Spain took advantage of their greater experience in international games, and were leading 3-0 at halftime after goals of “Chato” Iraragorri from the penalty spot (after handball by Martim), a volley of Lángara from Gorostiza’s cross, and again Lángara after a mix-up between Pedrosa and Luiz Luz. In the second half, Brazil reduced differences when Leônidas knocked in a rebound of Zamora, and had some more opportunities to score: they had a goal disallowed on the hour and even missed a penalty shot. However, what actually happened in the second half is that Spain stopped attacking in order to keep energies for their next game, and their main worry was to defend. In this task, Zamora was a real bulwark.

FIRST ROUND
STADIUM: Giorgio Ascarelli (Napoli) DATE: 27-05-1934 (16:30 h) ATTENDANCE: 9.000 REFEREE: Rinaldo Barlassina (ITA) GOALS: 1-0 (Teleki 11’); 2-0 (Toldi 31’); 2-1 (Fawzi 35’); 2-2 (Fawzi 39’); 3-2 (Vincze 53’); 4-2 (Toldi 61’)
		Hungary - Egypt
		4-2 (2-2)
HUNGARY A. Szabó Futó, Sternberg (c) Palotás, Szűcs, Lázár Markos, Vincze, Teleki, Toldi, G. Szabó COACH: Ödön Nádas			EGYPT Mansour El-Kaf, Abdel-Hamid Ibrahim El-Far, Rafaat, Raghab Latif, Fawzi, Mokhtar (c), Taha, Hassan  COACH: Jim McCrae
GAME SUMMARY Egypt, who had previously beaten Hungary 3-0 at the 1924 Olympics, had some skilful players (especially Mahmoud Mokhtar, aka “El-Tetch”). On this occasion, Hungary took advantage of their greater experience. Teleki finished off a good play of the Magyar left attack, and Toldi sprinted in to convert Markos’ cross. Although Fawzi equalized for Egypt before halftime, new goals of Vincze and Toldi sent Hungary into the next round.

1/4 FINAL
STADIUM: Stadio Littoriale (Bologna) DATE: 31-05-1934 (16:30 h) ATTENDANCE: 23.000 REFEREE: Francesco Mattea (ITA) GOALS: 1-0 (Horvath 8’); 2-0 (Zischek 51’); 2-1 (Sárosi [p.] 60’) [Incidents: Markos was sent off (min. 63). Avar had to leave the game due to injury (min. 80).]
		Austria - Hungary
		2-1 (1-0)
AUSTRIA Platzer Cisar, Sesta Wagner, Smistik (c), Urbanek Zischek, Bičan, Sindelar, Horvath, Viertl COACH: Hugo Meisl			HUNGARY A. Szabó Vágó, Sternberg (c) Palotás, Szűcs, Szalay Markos, Avar, Sárosi, Toldi, Kemény COACH: Ödön Nádas
GAME SUMMARY After Horvath’s early goal, the game degenerated and turned into a constant brawl between two teams who had met many times. In the second half, Zischek doubled the advantage for Austria. Although Sárosi scored from the 11-meter spot after Sesta brought down Kemény, Markos was sent off and later Hungary was reduced to nine men for the last ten minutes, when Avar was injured.

1/4 FINAL
STADIUM: Benito Mussolini (Torino) DATE: 31-05-1934 (16:30 h) ATTENDANCE: 12.000 REFEREE: Alois Beranek (AUT) GOALS: 0-1 (Kielholz 18’); 1-1 (Svoboda 24’); 2-1 (Sobotka 49’); 2-2 (Jäggi 78’); 3-2 (Nejedlý 82’)
		Czechoslovakia - Switzerland
		3-2 (1-1)
CZECHOSLOVAKIA Plánička (c) Ženíšek, Čtyřoký Košťálek, Čambal, Krčil Junek, Svoboda, Sobotka, Nejedlý, Puč COACH: Karel Petrů			SWITZERLAND Séchehaye Minelli (c), Weiler Guinchard, Jaccard, Hufschmid Von Känel, Jäggi, Kielholz, Abegglen, Jaeck COACH: Heini Müller
GAME SUMMARY Under a constant rain, Czechoslovakia came back again (as in their previous game against Romania) and qualified for the semifinals after a hard-fought game against Switzerland. Kielholz had opened the score from a pass by Jäggi, but the debutant Svoboda equalized soon from Sobotka’s pass. Early in the second half, Svoboda hit a post before Sobotka gave the lead to Czechoslovakia. Jäggi managed to equalize with a shot that skidded through the mud, but the Czechs had the final word when Nejedlý poached the winner with only eight minutes to go. Unlike their previous game against Romania, this time Czechoslovakia deserved to win.

1/4 FINAL
STADIUM: San Siro (Milano) DATE: 31-05-1934 (16:30 h) ATTENDANCE: 15.000 REFEREE: Rinaldo Barlassina (ITA) GOALS: 1-0 (Hohmann 60’); 2-0 (Hohmann 63’); 2-1 (Dunker 82’) [Incidents: Rosén and Ernst Andersson were injured in minute 57 and had to leave the game.]
		Germany - Sweden
		2-1 (0-0)
GERMANY Kreß Haringer, Busch Gramlich, Szepan (c), Zielinski Lehner, Hohmann, Conen, Siffling, Kobierski COACH: Otto Nerz			SWEDEN Rydberg Axelsson, S. Andersson Carlsson, Rosén (c), E. Andersson Dunker, Gustavsson, Jonasson, Keller, Kroon COACH: József Nagy
GAME SUMMARY After a keen first half, all the action in this match came after the break. Twelve minutes into the second half, a clash of heads forced the Swedish captain Rosén and Ernst Andersson off the pitch. Within six minutes, Germany took advantage of their superiority and scored two goals thanks to Hohmann. The Germans were more efficient in this game and kept their advantange till the end, in spite of a late goal by Dunker.

1/4 FINAL
STADIUM: Giovanni Berta (Firenze) DATE: 31-05-1934 (16:30 h) ATTENDANCE: 35.000 REFEREE: Louis Baert (BEL) GOALS: 0-1 (Regueiro 30’); 1-1 (Ferrari 44’)
		Italy - Spain
		1-1 (1-1;1-1)
ITALY Combi (c) Monzeglio, Allemandi Pizziolo, Monti, Castellazzi Guaita, Meazza, Schiavio, Ferrari, Orsi COACH: Vittorio Pozzo			SPAIN Zamora (c) Ciriaco, Quincoces Cilaurren, Muguerza, Fede Lafuente, Iraragorri, Lángara, Regueiro, Gorostiza COACH: Amadeo García Salazar
GAME SUMMARY In a game with many irregularities, Italy and Spain finished with a draw (overtime included) that sent the match into the first replay in the history of the World Cup (the penalty shots had not been introduced yet to decide the winner). The performance of the Belgian referee Louis Baert was really poor, as he refused Schiavio a penalty, disallowed a goal by Lafuente and gave the hyper-aggressive “Luisito” Monti (originally from Argentina) all the defensive license he needed. In this juncture, Zamora was helpless against the Italian attackers, who litterally pushed and bruised the Spanish goalkeeper so badly that he missed the replay. Spain took the lead after half an hour when Luis Regueiro (not to be confused with his brother Pedro) snatched a volley that went wide of Combi’s right hand. The Spaniards protected their advantage with some full-blooded defending in their own penalty area, but Italy started to pump in crosses and piled attackers around Zamora, until Ferrari equalized just before halftime with a close range shot (while the Spanish keeper was being obstructed by Schiavio). Italy continued their tactic of “shoulder charge” during the second half, but Zamora had a superb performance and avoided the Spanish defeat. After a goalless overtime, the match had to be replayed on the following day.

1/4 FINAL — TIE-BREAK
STADIUM: Giovanni Berta (Firenze) DATE: 1-06-1934 (16:45 h) ATTENDANCE: 43.000 REFEREE: René Mercet (SWI) GOALS: 1-0 (Meazza 11’) [Incidents: Bosch was injured in minute 3 and had to leave the game. Although he re-entered in minute 30, he was very handicapped and could barely move. Finally, he had to leave the game for good in minute 85.]
		Italy - Spain
		1-0 (1-0)
ITALY Combi (c) Monzeglio, Allemandi Ferraris, Monti, Bertolini Guaita, Meazza, Borel, Demaría, Orsi COACH: Vittorio Pozzo			SPAIN Nogués Zabalo, Quincoces (c) Cilaurren, Muguerza, Lecue Vantolrá, Regueiro, Campanal, Chacho, Bosch COACH: Amadeo García Salazar
GAME SUMMARY One day after their eventful quarterfinal match, Italy and Spain were again in action for the replay, and both teams had to introduce many changes in their line-ups (the worst part had been for Spain, with his star goalkeeper Zamora seriously injured in the previous game, and many of their players with injuries and bruises). The replay was a similar game to the one played the day before, with a hyper-aggressive Italian team and a very permissive Swiss referee (Mr. Mercet was later suspended by his own federation). The tactic of pumping in balls into the Spanish penalty area brought the Italians the only goal of the game, when Giuseppe Meazza spectacularly headed a corner kick. The rest of the game were bruises and foul play.

1/2 FINAL
STADIUM: San Siro (Milano) DATE: 3-06-1934 (16:30 h) ATTENDANCE: 60.000 REFEREE: Ivan Eklind (SWE) GOALS: 1-0 (Guaita 19’)
		Italy - Austria
		1-0 (1-0)
ITALY Combi (c) Monzeglio, Allemandi Ferraris, Monti, Bertolini Guaita, Meazza, Schiavio, Ferrari, Orsi COACH: Vittorio Pozzo			AUSTRIA Platzer Cisar, Sesta Wagner, Smistik (c), Urbanek Zischek, Bičan, Sindelar, Schall, Viertl COACH: Hugo Meisl
GAME SUMMARY A game with opposite styles of play: the elegant Austria (who always tried to pass the ball and “walk” it into the net) and the aggressive Italy (with a more direct play based on long crosses). A deluge hit Milan the day of the game, and the hosts were more than happy to leave pools of water on the pitch to counter the Austrian play. Nonsurprisingly, the only goal of the game came after a goalmouth scramble: Platzer lost the ball on the ground in Meazza’s sliding challenge, and Guaita lunged it over the line when it came back off the near post. After this, both teams had chances to alter the score, but in the end the 1-0 remained and Italy qualified for their first World Cup final.

1/2 FINAL
STADIUM: Stadio Nazionale del PNF (Roma) DATE: 3-06-1934 (16:30 h) ATTENDANCE: 15.000 REFEREE: Rinaldo Barlassina (ITA) GOALS: 1-0 (Nejedlý 21’); 1-1 (Noack 62’); 2-1 (Nejedlý 69’); 3-1 (Nejedlý 80’)
		Czechoslovakia - Germany
		3-1 (1-0)
CZECHOSLOVAKIA Plánička (c) Burgr, Čtyřoký Košťálek, Čambal, Krčil Junek, Svoboda, Sobotka, Nejedlý, Puč COACH: Karel Petrů			GERMANY Kreß Haringer, Busch Zielinski, Szepan (c), Bender Lehner, Siffling, Conen, Noack, Kobierski COACH: Otto Nerz
GAME SUMMARY With both teams playing mostly not to lose, the match degenerated into a short-passing game in which the Czechoslovakians made the most of it, with Nejedlý’s hat-trick sending his team into their first World Cup final. The Czechs took the lead midway the first half, when Nejedlý netted a cross by Junek. With both teams failing to dominate clearly the game and having opportunities, it was Germany who equalized in the second half after Noack finished a through ball from Conen with a powerful shot. The Czechs made it 2-1 soon after, when Nejedlý picked up a deflected ball an scored with a header. With ten minutes to go, the Czech inner left took advantage of a defensive mistake by Busch to complete his hat-trick.

PLACES 3-4
STADIUM: Giorgio Ascarelli (Napoli) DATE: 7-06-1934 (17:30 h) ATTENDANCE: 7.000 REFEREE: Albino Carraro (ITA) GOALS: 1-0 (Lehner 1’); 2-0 (Conen 27’); 2-1 (Horvath 28’); 3-1 (Lehner 42’); 3-2 (Sesta 54’) [Incidents: As both teams wore identical kits for this game (white shirt and black shorts), in order to avoid confusion the referee asked for one of them to change his uniform. After searching in the dressing-rooms, an AC Napoli kit was found (blue shirts), and Austria accepted to wear it during the game.]
		Germany - Austria
		3-2 (3-1)
GERMANY Jakob Janes, Busch Zielinski, Szepan (c), Münzenberg Bender, Lehner, Siffling, Conen, Heidemann COACH: Otto Nerz			AUSTRIA Platzer Cisar, Sesta Wagner, Smistik (c), Urbanek Zischek, Braun, Bičan, Horvath, Viertl COACH: Hugo Meisl
GAME SUMMARY For the first time in the history of the World Cup, the consolation final was played between the two losers of the semifinals. The most remarkable detail of this game was the fastest goal of the competition, scored by Lehner only 24 seconds into the game. Later, Conen volleyed just under the bar for the 2-0, Horvath reduced differences as he netted in a cross by Zischek, and just before halftime Lehner scored Germany’s third goal with a ground shot. In the second half, Sesta scored after a furious free kick that Jakob barely saw coming, but the game produced no more goals and Germany clinched the third place in the competition.

FINAL
STADIUM: Stadio Nazionale del PNF (Roma) DATE: 10-06-1934 (17:00 h) ATTENDANCE: 50.000 REFEREE: Ivan Eklind(SWE) GOALS: 0-1 (Puč 71’); 1-1 (Orsi 81’); 2-1 (Schiavio 95’)
		Italy - Czechoslovakia
		2-1 (0-0;1-1)
ITALY Combi (c) Monzeglio, Allemandi Ferraris, Monti, Bertolini Guaita, Meazza, Schiavio, Ferrari, Orsi COACH: Vittorio Pozzo			CZECHOSLOVAKIA Plánička (c) Ženíšek, Čtyřoký Košťálek, Čambal, Krčil Junek, Svoboda, Sobotka, Nejedlý, Puč COACH: Karel Petrů
GAME SUMMARY Although the stadium was not fully packed for this event, there were enough spectators in the stands to provide an intimidating atmosphere. The Italians wanted to turn the game into a constant fight to make the most of their aggressive air play, so the first half was spent mostly on a struggle between defenders and attackers (with some waist-high tackles) and air crosses neutralized by the goalkeepers. With twenty minutes left and tension all around, Ferraris crunched into Puč, who was carried to the sideline. However, this small break seemed to be providential for the Czech left winger, because he came back to the pitch and almost immediately dribbled Monzeglio and beat Combi low at the near post. Suddenly Italy fell apart, even in defense. Sobotka could have “killed” the final when he hit a post, as well as Nejedlý when he shot over the bar. These missed chances were fatal for Czechoslovakia, since Italy equalized within the last ten minutes thanks to Orsi’s curled ball from the edge of the area. 1-1 at the end of regulation meant that the final was sent into an extra-time. Schiavio hit the winner early in this period with a cross-shot, and from that moment till the end Italy defended their narrow advantage to become world champions.

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