The World Cup tournament in 1954 was held in Switzerland. A surprise choice for many, however keeping in mind we are only nine years after armistice in 1945. After the drama of the 1950 final in the Maracana, Switzerland looked set to provide something of a gentle comedown. Although, by the end of the tournament, Switzerland had provided a final to rival 1950 in its drama and shock.
Sixteen teams would compete in the finals. The nations who qualified were still all from the familiar heartlands of Europe and South America, South Korea and Turkey were the two exceptions to this rule. The early favourites going into the finals were the Mighty Magyars of Hungary, the finest team of their generation. The Hungarians had gone unbeaten in competitive matches for several years on the trot, and their victory in the 1952 Olympics followed up by an emphatic win over England at Wembley had very much cemented their place as champions elect. Ferenc Puskas, their Galloping Major, was the man who made the team tick. A surprisingly skilful player for his stature, he could also be a borderline selfish player on occasion, but his genius allowed him more leniency. He played for the army team Honved along with several other of the international players, including centre forward Sandor Koscis, midfield maestro Jozef Bosik and sweeper keeper Gyula Groscis. The Hungarians played an early hybrid of the Total Football of the 1970’s, with forward Nandor Hidegukuti playing as a false nine and all players being competent on the ball. They carved open teams everywhere, and were rightly regarded by many as the champions elect.
Alongside the Hungarians, the other favourites hailed from across the old frontiers of the global game. The Magyars old rivals, Austria had a strong and robust team, captained by centre half Ernst Ocwirk and with a young Ernst Happel in defence. The defending champions, Uruguay had brought over a fiery attacking side, as had the Brazilians who were still reeling back home from 1950. The home nations of England and Scotland were well regarded by the other nations competing, but in reality compared to them they were very much out of sync. West Germany had qualified after wins over Norway and that short lived post war nation, the Saarland. They were not well fancied, but as we shall see they were the dark horse of the entire tournament. Captained and led by Fritz Walter, a star of the Nazi era, who had narrowly escaped internment in the Soviet gulag system thanks to his footballing skills, they mainly consisted of players from Walter’s Kaiserslauten team. Alongside whom were, Nurnberg wizard Max Morlock and a young Helmut Rahn from Rot Weiss Essen. Rahn had been offered a lucrative contract by Penarol of Uruguay during a recent tour of South America, which he had subsequently turned down in time to receive his call up. West German football had no national league to speak of, instead a four league regional set up existed. The team was coached by Sepp Herberger, a controversial former Nazi Party card holder, but also an astute tactician, whose steely determination very much pushed the team onward. The Hungarians, and especially Puskas, would afterwards forever label Herberger’s team cheats owing to doping controversies over the course of the tournament, but in the end it was merely hearsay with nothing ever truly been proven. The West Germans were a solid, underrated outfit.
In FIFA’s infinite wisdom nations were seeded not according to form. In these days there was not yet an efficient ranking system, the net result being that a country like Yugoslavia, who had performed well in previous tournaments and Olympic competition, were unseeded, while France, whom the Yugoslavs had defeated the previous year, were seeded. The West Germans were also classed as unseeded. Only four matches were scheduled per group, pitting an unseeded side against a seeded. A strange anomaly, but perhaps one that adds to the uniqueness of 1954.
The group stages saw some terrific match ups. In Group One, Yugoslavia beat Raymond Kopa’s France and Brazil thrashed perennial whipping boys of the World Cup, Mexico 5-0. An exhilarating attacking affair in Lausanne, referred by a brilliantly named Charlie Faultless of Scotland, ended disappointingly 1-1 between Brazil and the Yugoslavs, but was enough to see both sides through at the expense of the French, who again disappointed on the world stage. It would take another four years and a third placed finish for the French to finally shine, however they would lie dormant for another twenty years as a footballing power.
In Group Two, the eventual finalists, Hungary and West Germany, strange as it seems, were both drawn together. The opening two matches saw the Magyars sweep aside a South Korean side 9-0. The Koreans were fresh from the Korean War, which had only been brought to an end on the peninsula, a year prior. In fact, most of the squad was made up of service men and other military staff. In the Hungarians, the South Koreans were going up against an ideological enemy in the Cold War. They could not however even compete with the magic feet of Puskas and company. For the West Germans a trip to the Wankdorf stadium in Berne awaited. There they faced Turkey, who had qualified themselves via a coin toss in Rome against a stronger Spanish team. The Germans ran out 4-1 winners, with Fritz Walter’s brother Ottmar among the goalscorers, as well as Max Morlock, who was the top goalscorer in the qualifiers. When the future finalists met in Basel, it was Hungary who ran out winners 8-3, as was to be expected. However, the West Germans stirred controversy by fielding a somewhat weakened starting eleven, and also by inflicting an injury on golden man Puskas, who would still be in a questionable condition come the final. The German who hacked him down, Werner Liebrich, would forever be a hated man in Budapest. Despite the Hungarian humbling, West Germany would qualify alongside them, with Turkey, who had won in spectacular fashion against South Korea 7-0, going home.
Uruguay and Austria came out on top in the third group. For the Uruguayans a 2-0 victory over a surprisingly weak Czechoslovakia, was followed up with a masterclass in football against the unfortunate Scots. Uruguay played Scotland off the pitch. Even before the game had begun, the Scots were said to have looked like lambs for the slaughter. It was a painful lesson for the inventors of the passing game. The Latin Americans who had perfected and improved it, walked all over them. Prior to the Uruguay game, Scotland had held their own against Austria, only losing 1-0, however following that game their manager Andy Beattie resigned, and then agreed to see out one more game, which was most likely promptly regretted. Austria themselves, waltzed to a 5-0 win over Czechoslovakia and joined the Uruguayans in the next round.
In the final group, England came out on top. Chosen by the FA committee and coached by Walter Winterbottom, the English still held themselves aloft as the guardians and only true representatives of their game. They had only just, along with the other home nations, rejoined the FIFA fold. A 39 year old Stanley Matthews was the one shining light in a rather dull English team, he was joined in the light by fellow living legend of the era Tom Finney. The English struggled against a good Belgian side in their opening group game. A back and forth match with a nail biting climax, that saw England take the lead and possibly the win, only for an own goal by Portsmouth’s Jimmy Dickinson, to seal the game at a 4-4 draw. Alongside England, were the hosts, Switzerland, and the previous winners in 1934 and 1938, Italy. The Italians were well fancied by the press going into the tournament, their star being Juventus skipper Giacomo Boniperti. However, as happens periodically throughout Italian footballing history they came undone. First against the Swiss on opening day, and then again in a play off for the next round against that same Swiss side, who won 4-1. With that result, the hosts were through with England who had beaten the Swiss 2-0.
The first two quarter finals took place on the 26th June in Lausanne and Basel respectively. Playing in Lausanne were hosts Switzerland, who met a classy Austrian team. The Austrians were captained by 6ft tall centre half Ernst Ocwirk, famed for his sweeping long passes from midfield, Gerhard Hanrappi sat in defence, and the attack was fronted by Theo Wagner, Erich Probst and the Korner brothers, Alfred and Robert. They were a team in the old Viennese mould, who played a slick pass and move game, with an emphasis on attack. The Swiss, on the other hand, were coached by fellow Austrian Karl Rappan, the inventor of the catenaccio. They were a defensive and counterattacking side. The game itself was a 7-5 thriller, the strange scoreline can be partly accounted for by the normally solid Swiss captain Roger Bocquet having a poor game. It would later come to light he had been advised not to play by his doctors following the discovery of a career ending tumour. Throughout the game Rappan urged Bocquet to move from his centre half position, but every time Bocquet refused. He was described as playing in a trance, probably not helped further by the intense summer heat. The game swayed back and forth with the shadows of the bright sun, both keepers complaining of sun stroke, however it was the Austrians who came out on top by firing in some sizzling long shots after bursting runs from the Korner brothers down the wings.
On the same day two hours north in Basel, holders Uruguay met England. The South Americans were led up front by 28 year old Juan Alberto Schiffino. Schiffino, along with fellow 1950 cup final veterans Roque Maspoli, Obdulio Varela, Victor Andrade and Oscar Miguez led out a tactically astute side, continuing the tradition of the earlier team of the 1920’s and 30’s. Victor Andrade was a distant relation to the great star of that pre war team Jose Leandro Andrade. Compared to the English, the Uruguayans were a quick side full of plenty of incisive passes and flowing movement. The English were led up front by Newcastle’s Ivor Broadis, a typical centre forward in the British mode. Broadis relied on the long ball, and the crosses of deans of the game, Sir Stanley Matthews and Sir Tom Finney. They were in comparison, a slower and older team, but could still hold their own. The game was another memorable one that would finish 4-2. England saw out the opening half hour well, going one down and then equalising later. However by the end of the first half they were 3-1 down, owing to a goalkeeping mistake by Birmingham’s Gil Merrick which let in Schiffino to score. Into the second half and Uruguay, several players limping with cramp, were marshalled though the rest of the game by the skill of Schiffino. In these days there were no substitutes. Finney did make it 3-2, and Matthews had several shots parried away by the keeper Maspoli. With thirteen minutes to play the Uruguayans made it four and the game was over. England did restore some honour in the scoreline however, and the game went a little way towards repairing the damage of Hungary and the Wembley defeat a year before.
The next day, the 27th of June saw West Germany take on Yugoslavia. This was the first shock of the tournament, as West Germany overcame an on paper superior Yugoslav team. Yugoslavia could boost several world class talent by way of veteran skipper Stejpan Bobek, who had represented his country in the 1948 London Olympic final, as well as the previous World Cup in Brazil. Alongside Bobek, there was the young forward Milos Milutinovic, who would go on to become the top goalscorer in the first season of the European Cup in 1955. For all their finesse, the Yugoslavs could not produce a goal against the West Germans, who in a fashion that was to become their trademark later on, saw out the game with greater stamina and determination. The West Germans were presented with two opportunities and they took both, one of which was an own goal by Croat Ivica Horvat. They were through.
Onto the final game of the quarters, and perhaps the most infamous. Hungary met Brazil, in what would come to be subsequently referred to as ‘the Battle of Berne’. The battle itself, would be blamed for the most part on the Brazilians who invaded the Hungarian dressing room at the end of the game and had resorted to hard tackling on the pitch in order to cope with the Magyar attack. Puskas, sitting in the stand injured, should also take some of the blame. He was reported to have struck a Brazilian square in the face with a glass bottle as the Brazilians entered the dressing room. The actual game was a typical Hungarian display. Hidekguti opened the scoring, drilling the ball home after the Brazilian keeper Castiliho parried away shots from Koscis and Czibor. For the second Hidekguti began a brilliant attacking move, that put through Koscis on goal with a shot past the hapless Castiliho. At 2-0, the Hungarians sat back and allowed Brazil back into the game, their own skill and flair could not be so easily repressed for very long. Hungary gave away a penalty and Djalma Santos thumped the ball in from the spot. Another penalty in the second half, after a string of cynical tackles by both sides, put Hungary 3-1 up. Brazil came back five minutes later through Julinho, and at this point the game tipped into an open and morally questionable affair. Jozef Boszik and Nilton Santos came to blows and were sent off, meanwhile Brazilian Didi was rattling the crossbar, as Brazil hammered Groscis’ goal. As the Brazilians poured forward in attack they left themselves open at the back. Koscis headed in one on one such counterattack for Hungary, thanks to a terrific cross from Czibor, who had just been chased round the pitch by an incensed Djalma Santos, after a series of bruising tackles. Humberto Tozzi was sent off later on for Brazil following a dirty kick, he subsequently threw himself down weeping to the grass. The end of the game gave way to a brutal battle in the changing rooms involving bottles and fists. FIFA would distance themselves from the whole affair, and no punishment was meted out, incredible by today’s standards.
Only three days after, the semi finals of the 1954 tournament were played. Hungary took on holders Uruguay in Lausanne, it looked to be another classic. Both sides were lacking key men, Puskas was still out injured, and Uruguayan captain 36 year old Obdulio Varela was also out, having a picked up a knock in the England game. Uruguay began the game well, showing great attacking energy and Latin verve, however as always the Hungarians took the lead only 15 minutes into the game. It would stay 1-0 for the rest of the first half, both teams ebbing and flowing. One minute into the second half and Hidekguti doubled Hungary’s lead with a fine header, after a mix up in the Uruguayan back line. Uruguay’s hopes seemed dented, however their natural skill shined through and they played themselves back into the game. Fifteen minutes from the end, Schiffino played through Juan Hohberg to make it 2-1, and four minutes from the end Hohberg scored again to take the game to extra time. Early into extra time, Schiffino again played through Hohberg, a naturalised Argentine, who hit the post with a smooth shot on goal. Luck was not on their side. In the second period, with Uruguay a man down due to injury, the Hungarians struck, Sandor Koscis headed in a fine goal. Seven minutes later, Koscis did the same again from another header, and the game was over. Uruguay, South America’s last representative, were out. The Hungarians would later admit that Uruguay were the best team they had yet played.
At Basel, the two former Anschluss allies met. The Austrians were heavily fancied by the pundits in the stands, however they would collapse in the most dramatic of fashions. In a surprise move they switched keepers, restoring Walter Zeman in place of Kurt Schmied. Zeman had been dropped before the tournament owing to a loss in form. It would prove an incredibly stupid decision. By all accounts, Zeman had a dreadful game and seemed to have lost all nerve in front of the ball. The West Germans pounded his goal with crosses and long balls, which to compound Zeman’s helplessness were not handled well by the Austrian defence. The opening half hour did begin well for Austria however. Their flowing passes and elegance on the ball left the West Germans chasing them, but, Max Morlock sent Fritz Walter away in a moment of German possession, and Walter centred the ball for Koln’s Hans Schafer to score. In the second half, a Walter corner was headed in by Morlock. Austria reduced the deficit with Erich Probst pouncing on a rare German error. The efficiency of the German counterattack simply overran the hapless Austrians. Fritz Walter added two goals from the spot, and his brother Ottmar added another two to complete the rout. The scoreline ended at 6-1 to West Germany.
To the final in Berne, and in front 62,500 spectators, West Germany met Hungary. There was animosity between the two sides, owing largely to the injury to Puskas, and to a lesser degree the geopolitics of the Cold War. Star man Puskas was a doubt for the game, and right up to the day itself, many were unsure whether he would feature at all. However, to give themselves the best chance, the Hungarian coaching staff decided on picking Puskas, even though he was unfit to start. It would turn out to be another chance of fate to go the way of West Germany.
Herberger had rallied his players in the days leading up to the game, and they would be cheered on by a friendly Swiss crowd, which consisted of a fair amount of Germans who made the trip to Berne. That Sunday was a wet day, the rain poured onto the pitch and turned the pitch into a quagmire. If the Hungarians were nervous beforehand they did not show it, for within six minutes of kick off they once again took an early lead through Puskas, which was then doubled two minutes later by Czibor, after a mistake by Kohlmeyer in the German defence. The two goals were quickly shrugged off by the Germans, Morlock slotting home past Groscis in the Hungarian goal. Hungary appeared dulled by the speed of the German response, and Puskas especially seemed to limp around the pitch carrying the weight of his injury, and expectation. After sixteen minutes of play, the Germans found their equaliser through Helmut Rahn. Both sides continued to pound at each others goal, and at half time the game was a very open affair in keeping with the rest of the tournament.
The second half began with Hungary in the ascendancy, twice goalkeeper Turek saved West Germany. Hidegkuti had the chance to restore the lead, as he pounced on a parried shot from Turek, only to put the ball wide past the open goal. Five minutes later, the German counterattack came. Rahn drove home a whipping shot, controlled and with all the time in the world, past Groscis, to put the Germans in front for the first time in the game. The Hungarians scrambled for an equaliser. Shot after shot poured in towards Turek, but the Dusseldorf man held firm, as did the entire West German eleven, and they rode out the game, as in front of them the Hungarians panicked. And with a blow of the whistle, it was over in the rain soaked Wankdorf. Jules Rimet himself handed over his trophy to Fritz Walter, who was carried aloft by the jubilant Germans.
The game would over time take on mystique of its own. For the Germans it was ‘the Miracle of Bern’, and for the losers it was not only a footballing catastrophe but also an ideological disaster. The West German economy would see a sharp uptake after 1954, leading to an economic revival and an improvement on the post war living standards of their weary population. Many historians would point to this game and the subsequent victory as the moment West Germany found itself. As for Hungary, the team who seemed indestructible in the lead up to the tournament, they went home to a country on the verge of revolution. The Hungarian sports ministry had anticipated victory, and those preparations and political promises all fell apart. Two years later, in 1956, a revolution would rock the streets of Budapest. In the fallout the team would be broken up. Fernec Puskas, along with Sandor Koscis and Zoltan Czibor, fled abroad, seeking aslyum. Puskas played a few unofficial games for Espanyol, and was touted to sign for AC Milan or Juventus, however a UEFA ban of two years forced him to settle in Austria and bide his time. He eventually made his way to Real Madrid. Zoltan Czibor and Sandor Koscis faced similar impingement from UEFA, and both would end up at Barcelona. Nandor Hidekguti would stay, going onto manage Fiorentina to the first Cup Winners Cup.. Goalkeeper Gyula Groscis was not so lucky, he was forced to stay, and was subsequently imprisoned for a short period. The Hungarians remained a shadow of their former self throughout the rest of the decade, although they were still a force to reckoned with right up until the collapse of communism. A young crop of fresh talent did come through in the sixties, led by Florian Albert and Fernec Bene, who would entertain Liverpudlians with their skill at the 1966 World Cup. There would remain a feeling however that the nation had missed its best opportunity at the top prize in football. On the other hand, West Germany would go from strength to strength as a top tier international side. The 1954 tournament would very much be held up as the foundation stone to West German and future German international success. In 1958, an older and less mobile Fritz Walter would lead his team to the semi finals in Sweden.
In regards to the other teams, Austria and Uruguay played out the third placed play off, which the Austrians won 3-1 securing their best performance in a World Cup to this day. A poor showing in Sweden, in albeit a tough group featuring England, Brazil and the USSR, was their last outing until 1978. This World Cup would be the last appearance of the Danubian school of play, that had grown around Mathias Sindelaar in that great team of the 1930’s. Vienna would no longer be a powerhouse of football. Team captain Ernst Ocwirk would see out his career in Italy with Sampdoria and later coach his club Austria Vienna. The Uruguayans meanwhile, were raided out by European scouts. Juan Alberto Schiffino would depart Penarol for AC Milan that summer, several years later in 1957 defender Jose Santamaria would join Real Madrid and become a Spanish citizen. Julio Abbadie would leave for Genoa in Serie A in 1956, and all three would join the growing line of South American ex patriots plying their trade in Spain and Italy.
The 1954 World Cup is still to this day the highest scoring tournament ever, with an average of 5 goals per game. Now, of course we could argue the tactics were different and the quality was poorer, but I do not personally accept this. The game was different, yes, but the rules of today were fundamental to those of yesteryear. The tackling was harder and the ball work not as skilled, the game probably resembled something closer akin to an amateur or lower league game we see today. And, this is exactly why it was so special compared to our modern game, the players and the game they played was real. They were achievable and not from another planet, they did not have money to waste. In this era the players as much as the fans, were simply thankful to play the game they loved.
Uncoordinated Ramblings 