The first game: December 18, 1921. Hungary - Poland 1-0
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In the fall of 1918, when World War I came to an end, several Eastern European nations, including Poland, regained independence. Poland had been an ancient kingdom, which in the years 1772-1795 was partitioned by its three powerful neighbors - Russia, Habsburg Austria and Prussia (see: Partitions of Poland).
As the result of the partitions, Poland for 123 years disappeared from the map of Europe. Despite several insurrections, Poles did not manage to win back their independence throughout the 19th century. Only after the “Great War”, in which all three neighboring empires ceased to exist, the nation managed to free itself.
Newly created country quickly started to organize its administration as well as sports organizations. Envoys of several soccer clubs, which had previously existed under either Prussian or Russian or Austrian rule, met in Warsaw on December 20 and 21, 1919 thus establishing Polski Zwiazek Pilki Noznej (Polish Football Association).
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[edit] Preparations for the game
In the years 1919 and 1920 Poland fought several wars with its neighbors (see: Polish-Soviet War, Polish-Ukrainian War, Polish-Lithuanian War, Great Poland Uprising, Silesian Uprisings, Border conflicts between Poland and Czechoslovakia), so, under the circumstances, no soccer games took place. Only when these conflicts were over, starting in spring of 1921, first games for the Championships of Poland took place (first, historic champion of the country is Cracovia Kraków).
To establish itself among other European soccer federations, Polish officials started to look for a potential opponent for a friendly game. This was not easy - relations with almost all neighbors were strained, due to conflicts mentioned above (soccer, like all sports, has never been free from politics). Also, as Polish national team had never before appeared as such on the field, other nations were simply not interested in playing with an unknown opponent (e.g. Polish officials asked the Austrians whether they would be interested in a friendly international, never to receive a response).
Fortunately for the Poles (who also considered playing either France of Sweden), sometime in mid-1921 the Hungarians came forward with an offer, asking whether Poland would like to face their national team around Christmas of 1921. This was happily accepted by the Poles - Hungary in those years was regarded as a strong team. Some speculate that then-Polish coach, Imre Pozsonyi from Hungary, used his influences to convince his fellow countryman to get in touch with the Poles.
[edit] Around the game
In November 1921, Polish officials together with coach Pozsonyi, chose 22 players who became members of first, historic Polish National Team. These players took part in a few warm-up games in Kraków and after a few weeks 13 players were chosen. These athletes, who in most cases did not know each other, boarded the train on December 16, and after a 36-hour journey, reached Budapest (as newly created Polish Football Association was very poor, all Poles - players and officials, traveled in 3rd class cars).
This is the list of players who came to Budapest on December 17, 1921, a few hours before the historic game, first match of Polish National Team:
- Jan Loth - goalkeeper (Polonia Warszawa),
- Ludwik Gintel - defender (Cracovia Kraków),
- Artur Marczewski - defender (Polonia Warszawa),
- Zdzislaw Styczen - midfield (Cracovia),
- Stanislaw Cikowski - midfield (Cracovia),
- Tadeusz Synowiec - midfield (Cracovia),
- Stanislaw Mielech - forward (Cracovia),
- Waclaw Kuchar - forward (Pogon Lwow),
- Jozef Kaluza - forward (Cracovia),
- Marian Einbacher - forward (Warta Poznan),
- Leon Sperling - forward (Cracovia).
Players mentioned above created Polish lineup. In reserve there were two additional footballers:
- Stefan Loth (Polonia),
- Mieczyslaw Batsch (Pogon).
Apart from players there were some officials: coach Imre Pozsonyi, president of PZPN dr. Edward Cetnarowski, PZPN’s prof. Jan Weyssenhof as well as several journalists.
[edit] 90 Historic minutes
For the Hungarians, this was just another friendly game. Their national team had already played (since 1902) about 80 internationals, so the hosts did not treat this match in a special way. For the Poles however, it was a historic 90 minutes - for the first time ever, 11 players dressed in jerseys emblazoned with white eagle were to appear on the field.
The game took place on Hungaria Stadium in Budapest. Fans’ turn-out was not impressive - only around 8000 showed up, which was a disappointment; at previous games there usually were up to 30000 supporters. Perhaps this was due to weather - in Budapest on December 18, 1921 there was some snowfall, which melted, creating slush.
As a result of the weather, the turf was wet and muddy, which proved to be an advantage for the Poles. The Hungarians, regarded as first-quality dribblers, were unable to play their fast, energetic style.
Host team scored game’s first and lone goal quite fast - in 18th minute, by Jeno Szabo. The Hungarians had another great chance in 41st minute, but Karoly Fogl’s penalty kick missed the goal. From what can be gathered, home team should have scored more goals than one, but visitor’s goalie played an extraordinary game.
Final blow of the referee, Czech-German Ernst Gratz, was welcomed with relief by both sides. The Hungarians were happy because they won, the Poles - because the defeat to a renowned opponent was not as severe as some had predicted.
[edit] References
- Encyklopedia Pilkarska FUJI. Bialo-czerwoni. Dzieje reprezentacji Polski (1) (Polish Football Encyclopedia. History of the Polish National Team (1)) Katowice 1991, ISBN 83-900227-1-5
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