Football at the 1920 Summer Olympics

The football at the 1920 Summer Olympics, was one of the 154 events at the 1920 Summer Olympics

1920 Summer Olympics

The 1920 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the VII Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event in 1920 in Antwerp, Belgium....

, held in Antwerp. It was the fifth time football (soccer)

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...

was on the Olympic schedule. The tournament was contested by 14 teams, with host country Belgium winning the gold medal

Gold medal

A gold medal is typically the medal awarded for highest achievement in a non-military field. Its name derives from the use of at least a fraction of gold in form of plating or alloying in its manufacture...

s. Spain

Spain national football team

The Spain national football team represents Spain in international association football and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain. The current head coach is Vicente del Bosque...

won silver

Silver medal

A silver medal is a medal awarded to the second place finisher of contests such as the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, and contests with similar formats....

, while the Netherlands

Netherlands national football team

The Netherlands National Football Team represents the Netherlands in association football and is controlled by the Royal Dutch Football Association , the governing body for football in the Netherlands...

won bronze medal

Bronze medal

A bronze medal is a medal awarded to the third place finisher of contests such as the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, etc. The practice of awarding bronze third place medals began at the 1904 Olympic Games in St...

Tournament

14 teams entered the competition which was organized on a knockout basis. 12 teams entered the first round, with the 6 winners joining the host nation (Belgium) and France

France national football team

The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football. It is fielded by the French Football Federation , the governing body of football in France, and competes as a member of UEFA, which encompasses the countries of Europe...

, in the quarter-finals.

Perhaps the most far-reaching of the results was that which saw Norway

Norway

Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...

defeat Great Britain

Great Britain

Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...

in the first round. The British delegation were concerned with the rise in 'professional' opponents within the international game. As Bernard Joy

Bernard Joy

Bernard Joy was an English footballer and journalist. He is notable for being the last amateur player to play for the England national football team.-Biography:...

in Association Football (1960) was to write: "Out of pocket expenses were paid far in excess of the reimbursement for hotels and travelling. ... [Payments] for time lost from work, were made for playing and training, and teams were taken off for intense preparation together. Whatever the reason or excuse, thinly-veiled professionalism was rampant." Ironically Norway were not a professional side. The complaint was, however, clearly addressed at a growing trend within the game.

Czechoslovakia

Czechoslovakia national football team

The Czechoslovakia national football team was the national association football team of Czechoslovakia from 1922 to 1993. At the dissolution of Czechoslovakia at the end of 1992, the team was participating in UEFA qualifying Group 4 for the 1994 World Cup; it completed this campaign under the name...

, participating in their first international tournament, cruised to the final, inflicting heavy defeats on Yugoslavia

Yugoslavia national football team

The Yugoslavia national football team represented the Kingdom of Yugoslavia and the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in association football. It enjoyed a modicum of success in international competition. In 1992, during the Yugoslav wars, the team was suspended from international...

, Norway

Norway national football team

The Norway national football team represents Norway in association football and is controlled by the Football Association of Norway, the governing body for football in Norway. Norway's home ground is Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo and their head coach is Egil Olsen...

, and France

France national football team

. Belgium beat a talented Spain

Spain national football team

and then the Netherlands

Netherlands national football team

on their way to the final. Belgium won the gold medal by default after
Czechoslovakia

Czechoslovakia national football team

walked off in protest during the final, unhappy with the performance of the English

England

England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...

referee, John Lewis

John Lewis (referee)

John Lewis was an English football player, administrator and referee. He was born at Market Drayton, Shropshire, but lived most of his life in Lancashire and was primarily associated with Blackburn Rovers F.C...

.
The Bergvall System was used to determine second and third places. The beaten quarter-finalists played-off, Spain

Spain national football team

emerged triumphant overcoming Sweden

Sweden national football team

The Swedish national football team represents Sweden in association football and is controlled by the Swedish Football Association, the governing body for Football in Sweden. Sweden's home ground is Råsunda Stadium in Stockholms län and their head coach is Erik Hamrén. Sweden made their first...

2-1 and Italy

Italy national football team

The Italy National Football Team , represents Italy in association football and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation , the governing body for football in Italy. Italy is the second most successful national team in the history of the World Cup having won four titles , just one fewer than...

2-0. Ordinarily, Spain

Spain national football team

would then have played the beaten finalists, but Czechoslovakia

Czechoslovakia national football team

had been disqualified from the tournament. Spain

Spain national football team

thus advanced straight to the silver medal match against Holland, beaten in the semi-finals by gold medallists Belgium. Spain

Spain national football team

won 3-1.

First round

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Quarter-finals

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Semi-finals

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Final

The final was highly controversial and remains the only occasion in which an international final has had to have been abandoned.
Belgium was awarded the gold medal by default after
Czechoslovakia

Czechoslovakia national football team

walked off the field in the 40th minute of the final when Czech left-back Karel Steiner was ejected.

They were unhappy with the performance of the 65 year-old English

England

referee, John Lewis

John Lewis (referee)

, as well as the English linesmen, Charles Wreford-Brown and A. Knight, who had allowed a contentious second Belgian goal in the 28th minute that Henri Larnoe

Henri Larnoe

A. Henri Larnoe was a Belgian football player who competed in the 1920 Summer Olympics.He was a member of the Belgium team, which won the gold medal in the football tournament.- External links :*...

had converted.

Lewis had already refereed the Belgian semi-final victory over the Netherlands, a match observed by the Czechs (it had taken place on the same day and in the same stadium as their own victory against France).

The Czechs protested the result of the final. Their protests, translated from the original French, were as follows:

1. We were allocated an English linesman, which is in contradiction with the rules which state that each participating nation has the right to one of both linesman. This violation of the rules was prejudicial to us during the game, because the English linesman was not impartial and this is why we seek the cancellation of the match. Immediately after the game we brought this notice to the attention of M. Rodolphe Seeldrayers

Rodolphe Seeldrayers

Rodolphe William Seeldrayers was the 4th President of FIFA, serving from 1954 to 1955. He was actively involved in the official associations of Belgian sports.-Body:...

.

2. The majority of the decisions of the referee Mr. Lewis were wrong and it was obvious that it gave the public the wrong impression about our game. Also both Belgian goals were the result of incorrect decisions of the referee and we seek a rigorous investigation on that point.

3. During the match, Belgian soldiers were introduced to the crowd until they circled the pitch and because of their provocative presence our players were unable to play their normal game. As a result of the very regrettable incident at the end of the match when there was a pitch invasion lead by the soldiers and our national flag was insulted we will not participate until we have received an apology from the (Belgian) soldiers.

Czechoslovakia's protests were dismissed, and they were disqualified from the tournament.

Second place tournament first round

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Second place tournament second round

Second place final

Eighth Place Match

Medalists

Gold	Silver	Bronze
Félix Balyu Félix Balyu Félix Balyu was a Belgian football player who competed in the 1920 Summer Olympics.He was a member of the Belgium team, which won the gold medal in the football tournament.-External links:... Désiré Bastin Désiré Bastin Désiré Bastin was a Belgian football player who competed in the 1920 Summer Olympics.He was a member of the Belgium team, which won the gold medal in the football tournament.-External links:... Mathieu Bragard Mathieu Bragard Mathieu Bragard was a Belgian football player who competed in the 1920 Summer Olympics.He was a member of the Belgium team, which won the gold medal in the football tournament.-External links:... Robert Coppée Robert Coppée Robert Coppée was a Belgian football player who competed in the 1920 Summer Olympics.He was a member of the Belgium team, which won the gold medal in the football tournament.-External links:... Jean De Bie Jean De Bie Jean De Bie was a Belgian football player. He played as a goalkeeper.During his career he played mostly for Royal Racing Club de Bruxelles... André Fierens André Fierens André J. Fierens was a Belgian football player who competed in the 1920 Summer Olympics.He was a member of the Belgium team, which won the gold medal in the football tournament.-External links:... Emile Hanse Emile Hanse Émile J. Hanse was a Belgian football player who competed in the 1920 Summer Olympics.He was a member of the Belgium team, which won the gold medal in the football tournament.-External links:... Georges Hebdin Georges Hebdin Georges Hebdin was a Belgian football player who competed in the 1920 Summer Olympics.He was a member of the Belgium team, which won the gold medal in the football tournament.-External links:... Louis van Hege Louis Van Hege Louis Van Hege was a Belgian football Inside-Forward who played for AC Milan from 1910 to 1915, scoring 97 goals during five Italian Football Championship seasons. In terms of goals scored, he's the tenth best striker in the rossoneri 's history... Henri Larnoe Henri Larnoe A. Henri Larnoe was a Belgian football player who competed in the 1920 Summer Olympics.He was a member of the Belgium team, which won the gold medal in the football tournament.- External links :... Joseph Musch Joseph Musch Joseph B. "Prince" Musch was a Belgian football player who competed in the 1920 Summer Olympics.He was a member of the Belgium team, which won the gold medal in the football tournament.... Fernand Nisot Fernand Nisot Fernand Nisot was a Belgian football player who competed in the 1920 Summer Olympics. When he was selected the first time for the national soccer team, he was the youngest player ever: just 16 years old. He was a member of the Belgian team, which won the gold medal in the football... Armand Swartenbroeks Armand Swartenbroeks Armand J. Swartenbroeks was a Belgian football player who competed in the 1920 Summer Olympics.He was a member of the Belgium team, which won the gold medal in the football tournament.-External links:... Oscar Verbeeck Oscar Verbeeck Oscar Verbeeck was a Belgian football player who competed in the 1920 Summer Olympics.He was a member of the Belgium team, which won the gold medal in the football tournament.-External links:... ---- Coach: Raoul Daufresne Raoul Daufresne de la Chevalerie Raoul Daufresne de la Chevalerie was a Belgian sportsman.He was born in Bruges and died in Ukkel....	Patricio Arabolaza Patricio Arabolaza Patricio Arabolaza Aranburu , also known as simply Patricio, was a Spanish football player who competed in the 1920 Summer Olympics.... Mariano Arrate Mariano Arrate Mariano Arrate Esnaola was a Spanish football player who competed in the 1920 Summer Olympics.He was born and died in San Sebastián.... Juan Artola Juan Artola Juan Artola Letamendía was a Spanish football player who competed in the 1920 Summer Olympics.He was born in San Sebastián.... José María Belauste José María Belauste José María de Belausteguigoitia Landaluce was a Spanish footballer born in Bilbao, Vizcaya who played as a midfielder and captain for Athletic Bilbao and Spain. His brothers, Francisco and Ramón, also played for Athletic Bilbao. Belauste, along with Pichichi, was member of the successful Athletic... Sabino Bilbao Sabino Bilbao Sabino Bilbao Libano , also known as simply Sabino, was a Spanish football player who competed in the 1920 Summer Olympics.He was born in Lejona.... Ramón Eguiazábal Agustín Eizaguirre Agustín Eizaguirre Agustín Eizaguirre Ostolaza was a Spanish football player who competed in the 1920 Summer Olympics.He was born in Zarauz.He was a member of the Spanish team, which won the silver medal in the football tournament.... Ramón Gil Ramón Gil Ramón "Moncho" Gil Sequeiros was a Spanish football player who competed in the 1920 Summer Olympics.He was born in Vigo.... Domingo Gómez-Acedo Domingo Gómez-Acedo Domingo Gómez-Acedo Villanueva was a Spanish football player who competed in the 1920 Summer Olympics.He was born in Bilbao.... Silverio Izaguirre Silverio Izaguirre Silverio Izaguirre Sorzabalbere was a Spanish football player who competed in the 1920 Summer Olympics.He was born in San Sebastián.... Rafael Moreno Luis Otero Luis Otero (footballer) Luis Otero Sánchez-Encinas was a Spanish football player who competed in the 1920 Summer Olympics.He was born in Pontevedra.... Francisco Pagazaurtundúa Francisco Pagazaurtundúa Francisco "Pagaza" Pagazaurtundúa González-Murrieta was a Spanish football player who competed in the 1920 Summer Olympics.He was born in Santurtzi.... José Samitier Josep Samitier Josep Samitier Vilalta , also known as José Samitier , was a Spanish footballer, manager and scout who played for FC Barcelona, Madrid CF, OGC Nice, the Catalan XI and Spain... Agustín Sancho Agustín Sancho Agustín Sancho Agustina was a Spanish football player who competed in the 1920 Summer Olympics.He was born in Benlloch.... Félix Sesúmaga Félix Sesúmaga Félix Sesúmaga Ugarte was a Spanish Basque footballer during the 1910s and the 1920s. Born in Lejona, Vizcaya, he played as a forward for Arenas Club de Getxo, FC Barcelona, Racing de Sama de Langreo, Athletic Bilbao and Spain... Pedro Vallana Pedro Vallana Pedro Vallana Jeanguenat was a Spanish footballer. He competed in the 1920 Summer Olympics.He was born in Algorta.He was a member of the Spanish team, which won the silver medal in the football tournament.... Joaquín Vázquez Joaquín Vázquez Joaquín Vázquez Fernández was a Spanish footballer. He competed in the 1920 Summer Olympics.Fernández was born in Badajoz. He was a member of the Spanish team, which won the silver medal in the football tournament.-External links:... Ricardo Zamora Ricardo Zamora Ricard Zamora i Martínez was a Spanish footballer and manager. He played as a goalkeeper for, among others, RCD Espanyol, FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. As an international he played for both the Catalan XI and Spain... ---- Coach:* Francisco Bru	Arie Bieshaar Arie Bieshaar Adrianus Gerardus Bieshaar was a football player from the Netherlands, who represented his native country at the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp, Belgium. There he won the bronze medal with the Netherlands national football team.-External links:... Leo Bosschart Leo Bosschart Leonard François Gerard Bosschart was a football player from the Netherlands, who represented his home country at the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp, Belgium. There he won the bronze medal with the Netherlands national football team.-External links:... Evert Bulder Evert Bulder Evert Jan Bulder was a football player from the Netherlands, who represented his native country at the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp, Belgium. There he won the bronze medal with the Netherlands national football team. His younger brother Jaap was a member of the same squad.-References:... Jaap Bulder Jaap Bulder Jacob Eisse Bulder was a football player from the Netherlands, who represented his home country at the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp, Belgium. There he won the bronze medal with the Netherlands national football team... Harry Dénis Harry Dénis Henri Léonard Barthélémi Dénis was a football defender from the Netherlands, who represented his home country at three consecutive Summer Olympics, starting in 1920.... Jan van Dort Jan van Dort Jan Leendert van Dort was a football player from the Netherlands, who represented his home country at the 1920 Summer Olympics. There he won the bronze medal with the Netherlands national football team... Ber Groosjohan Ber Groosjohan Bernardus Groosjohan was a football player from the Netherlands, who represented his native country at the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp and the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris. In Antwerp Groosjohan won the bronze medal with the Netherlands national football team.-References:... Felix von Heijden Felix von Heijden Herman Carel Felix Clotilde von Heijden was a football player from the Netherlands, who represented his home country at the 1920 Summer Olympics. There he won the bronze medal with the Netherlands national football team. Later he became the mayor of Rosmalen, Noord-Brabant -References:... Frits Kuipers Frits Kuipers Frederik Carel Kuipers was a football player from the Netherlands, who represented his home country at the 1920 Summer Olympics. There he won the bronze medal with the Netherlands national football team.-References:... Dick MacNeill Dick MacNeill Richard MacNeill was a football goalkeeper from the Netherlands, who represented his home country at the 1920 Summer Olympics. There he won the bronze medal with the Netherlands national football team.MacNeill was also known as Robert MacNeill.-References:... Jan de Natris Jan de Natris Johannes Daniel de Natris was a football player from the Netherlands, who represented his home country at both the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp, Belgium and the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris, France.In 1920, he won the bronze medal with the Netherlands national football team... Oscar van Rappard Oscar van Rappard Oscar Emile, Knight van Rappard was an track and field athlete and football player from the Netherlands, who represented his native country at two consecutive Summer Olympics, starting in 1920.At his Olympic debut he won the bronze medal with the Netherlands national football team, while at the... Henk Steeman Henk Steeman Hermanus Hendrikus Steeman was a football player from the Netherlands, who represented his home country at the 1920 Summer Olympics. There he won the bronze medal with the Netherlands national football team... Ben Verweij Ben Verweij Bernard Willem Jan Verweij was a football player from the Netherlands, who represented his home country at two consecutive Summer Olympics, starting in 1920...

External links

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