The Last Game (August 27, 1939)
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The Last Game, as it is known in Poland, was played on Sunday August 27, 1939, at Wojska Polskiego Stadium in Warsaw. It was the last game of the interwar Polish football team before the Second World War. The Polish national football team faced and beat one of the best sides of these times - 1938’s FIFA World Cup runners-up, Hungary, four goals to two. This match has generally been forgotten by the Hungarians - for them it was just one of many international friendlies, without any significance. In Poland, however, it is still remembered as the last match before World War Two and also because it was a victory over a renowned team - the biggest success in history of Polish soccer up to that date.
Four days before the match, the Germans and the Soviets had secretly signed the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, according to which Poland was to be wiped out of the map of the Europe. In Warsaw everybody felt that something was up in the air, mobilization of the Polish Army was supposed to be announced at any time, but despite this, people were hoping for the best, enjoying the weather and last days of summer vacation.
Back in 1939, the Hungarian soccer team was widely regarded as one of the best in the world, and in Poland hardly anyone believed that players in white and red were going to succeed. This opinion was supported by nation’s biggest sports daily Przegląd Sportowy, which in Saturday’s issue stated in large print on front page "Without chances, but ready to fight". Poland was to face the Hungarians for the ninth time - so far, Poles had never won.
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[edit] Polish team
The Polish team under manager Józef Kałuża:
- Adolf Krzyk, Brygada Czestochowa - goalkeeper,
- Władysław Szczepaniak, Polonia Warszawa (captain) - defender,
- Edmund Giemsa, Ruch Chorzow - defender,
- Wilhelm Gora, Cracovia Krakow - midfielder,
- Edward Jabłoński, Cracovia Krakow - midfielder,
- Ewald Dytko, Dąb Katowice - midfielder
- Henryk Jaznicki, Polonia Warszawa - forward (replaced in 31. minute by Stanislaw Baran, Warszawianka Warszawa),
- Ewald Cebula, Śląsk Świętochłowice - forward,
- Leonard Piątek, AKS Chorzow - forward,
- Ernest Wilimowski, Ruch Chorzow - forward,
- Paweł Cyganek, Fablok Chrzanow - forward.
An interesting fact is that a famous Scotsman Alex James, who in the summer of 1939 temporarily helped Jozef Kaluza with training of Polish players, had left Warsaw for Britain a few days earlier. It is likely he too felt that war was imminent and wanted to escape the country. James did not believe in Poland's victory, either. Just before the game, he sent three dispatches advising Poles to concentrate on defense and hope for a lucky draw.
[edit] The game
At 5 p.m. straight, Finnish referee Esko K. Pekonen blew his whistle for the first time. For the first 30 minutes, the visitors were the more effective team, ceaselessly attacking Krzyk’s goal, who got into difficulties early on. In just 14 minutes, Hungary’s Gyula Zsengeller scored from a short distance. Fans at Warsaw, who overflowed the stands, were suddenly quietened. In 30th minute, another goal was scored for Hungary - this time by Sandor Adam. It looked like Poland was going to get a drubbing, but dramatically the Poles managed to gain control of the game.
Just 180 seconds later, in the 33rd minute, Dytko passed the ball to Piatek who headed it to Wilimowski. The Polish topscorer ran a few meters and then fired high into the net, above the goalie. Poland continued attacking during the remainder of the half.
In second half, the situation continued, with Polish players attacking and the Hungarians unable to defend their score. In the 64th minute, Jablonski passed the ball to Piatek, who then put Wilimowski into action. 'Ezi' dribbled past two defenders and shot from a close range.
In 75 minute Hungarian defender Sandor Biro touched the ball with his hand in penalty area and conceded the foul. Piatek shot with force and precision, making the score 3-2. Just 60 seconds later - another feat by Wilimowski. The Hungarians were unable to take the ball away from him which resulted in another goal: 4-2, settling the game.
During the last minutes, the Polish side, happy with the result, attempted to defend it and although the Hungarians managed to score a goal, one of their players was in an off-side position and so it was disallowed.
[edit] After the match
At the final whistle, the Polish fans were overcome with joy. They had just witnessed the biggest success to date in the history of Polish football. Everybody was in good mood, hoping that political situation would - just like events in the game - get better. The visitors, although unhappy, accepted the defeat with honor, stating that the Poles were a better team.
Unfortunately, on Friday, September 1, 1939, Germany invaded, World War II started and Sunday’s game was the last match of interwar Poland.
