Aleksandrs Vanags
Encyclopedia
Aleksandrs Vanags (21 March 1919–1986), aka Alexandre Vanags, was a Latvia
n football
and basketball
player. At a young age he debuted in the Latvia national football team
, after World War II
he played football in France
.
) and Latvia national football team
at a very young age. He scored 9 goals for Latvia in 18 matches (from 1937 to 1939). In addition to football Vanags also played basketball for Latvia on an international level, he was silver medalist of EuroBasket 1939
. In 1942 during German occupation of Latvia Vanags as a player with ASK won the Latvian league title.
After the Second World War Vanags settled in France
where he joined RC Strasbourg
. For two seasons he played also with FC Nancy
but then returned to Strasbourg. In 140 matches with RC Strasbourg Vanags scored 10 goals. In 1951 with RC Strasbourg
Vanags won Coupe de France
.
Later Vanags took up coaching football and basketball.
Latvia
Latvia , officially the Republic of Latvia , is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by Estonia , to the south by Lithuania , to the east by the Russian Federation , to the southeast by Belarus and shares maritime borders to the west with Sweden...
n football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
and basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player. At a young age he debuted in the Latvia national football team
Latvia national football team
The Latvian national football team is controlled by the Latvian Football Federation, the governing body for football in Latvia and represents the country in international football competitions, such as the World Cup and the European Championships. So far, they have never qualified for a FIFA World...
, after World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
he played football in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
.
Biography
The right wing forward-midfielder Aleksandrs Vanags made his debut with Universitātes Sports (later he moved to ASK RīgaFK ASK
FK ASK Riga was a Latvian football club of the Latvian army, founded in 1923. In the 1920s and 1930s it was one of the leading clubs in Latvia. In 1940s it was disbanded, a new football club of the Soviet army was created in Riga under the name FK AVN, later AVN was renamed to ASK...
) and Latvia national football team
Latvia national football team
The Latvian national football team is controlled by the Latvian Football Federation, the governing body for football in Latvia and represents the country in international football competitions, such as the World Cup and the European Championships. So far, they have never qualified for a FIFA World...
at a very young age. He scored 9 goals for Latvia in 18 matches (from 1937 to 1939). In addition to football Vanags also played basketball for Latvia on an international level, he was silver medalist of EuroBasket 1939
Eurobasket 1939
The 1939 European Basketball Championship, commonly called Eurobasket 1939, was the third regional championship held by FIBA Europe. Eight national teams affiliated with the International Basketball Federation took part in the competition...
. In 1942 during German occupation of Latvia Vanags as a player with ASK won the Latvian league title.
After the Second World War Vanags settled in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
where he joined RC Strasbourg
RC Strasbourg
Racing Club de Strasbourg is a French association football club founded in 1906 and professional since 1933, based in the city of Strasbourg, in Alsace...
. For two seasons he played also with FC Nancy
FC Nancy
Football club de Nancy was a French association football team playing in the city of Nancy, Meurthe-et-Moselle.The team was founded in 1901 and disappeared in 1965, due to financial problems.Two years after the demise of this team, Nancy's current top team, AS Nancy were founded.-Honours:* Coupe de...
but then returned to Strasbourg. In 140 matches with RC Strasbourg Vanags scored 10 goals. In 1951 with RC Strasbourg
RC Strasbourg
Racing Club de Strasbourg is a French association football club founded in 1906 and professional since 1933, based in the city of Strasbourg, in Alsace...
Vanags won Coupe de France
Coupe de France
The Coupe Charles Simon, commonly known as the Coupe de France , is the premier knockout cup competition in French football organized by the French Football Federation...
.
Later Vanags took up coaching football and basketball.