Wilhelm Góra

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Wilhelm Antoni Gora (born January 18, 1916 in Bytom - died May 21, 1975 in Homberg, Germany) was a Polish midfield soccer player, of Upper Silesian origin.

His career started in Szarlej - a small hamlet located near Bytom. After some years, he moved to Pogon Katowice (which no longer exists) and then changed to Cracovia Krakow - one of the best teams of interwar Poland.

His debut in the Polish Soccer League was in 1934, and until 1939 Gora participated in 134 Cracovia’s games, winning in 1937 the championship title. In 1935 he debuted in the Polish National Team and in 1936 was a participant in Berlin, Germany Olympic Games, where Poland was placed on 4th location. Also, he took part in the legendary 1938 FIFA World Cup game Poland - Brazil 5-6 (the match occurred on June 5, 1938 in Strasburg, France).

Until 1939 Gora was a key midfield player of the Polish National Team and by then he had played in 16 games. After the beginning of World War II, he signed the Volksliste (German nationality list), which allowed him to continue the career. Gora remained in Cracow, playing in a German-only team DTSG Krakau (one of the sponsors of this club was Oskar Schindler).

Called up to the Wehrmacht, he was taken with his unit to Italy, where he was captured by Allied soldiers. There, Gora joined the 2nd Corps of the Polish army under General Władysław Anders.

After 1945, Gora wanted to return to Poland. However, this proved to be impossible and thus he remained in West Germany, where he died.

[edit] See also

Polish Roster in World Cup Soccer France 1938

v • d • e Poland squad - 1938 FIFA World Cup

FW Baran • GK Brom • FW Cebula • MF Dytko • DF Gałecki • DF Giemsa • MF Góra • FW Habowski • FW Korbas • MF Lis • FW Łyko • GK Madejski • MF Nyc • FW Piątek • FW R. Piec • MF W. Piec • FW Scherfke • DF Szczepaniak • DF Twórz • MF Wasiewicz • FW Wilimowski • FW Wodarz • Coach: Kałuża