The Last Game (August 27, 1939)
Encyclopedia
The Last Game, as it is known in Poland
, was played on Sunday August 27, 1939, at the 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 teams of that period - 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 II and also because it was a victory over a renowned team - the biggest success in history of Polish soccer up to that time.
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 off the map of Europe. The perception in Warsaw was that something was up in the air, mobilization of the Polish Army was supposed to be announced at any time, but in spite of this people were hoping for the best, enjoying the weather and last days of summer vacation.
In 1939, the Hungarian soccer team was widely regarded as one of the best in the world, and hardly anyone in Poland believed that their players in white and red uniforms, their national colors, were going to win over their opponents. This opinion was echoed by the nation's largest sports daily Przegląd Sportowy
, which in Saturday's issue exclaimed in large print on the front page, "Without chances, but ready to fight". Poland was to face the Hungarians for the ninth time - up to then, the Poles had never won.
An interesting fact is that a famous Scotsman Alex James
, who in the summer of 1939 temporarily helped Józef Kałuża 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.
Coach - Dénes Ginzery.
Just 180 seconds later, in the 33rd minute, Dytko passed the ball to Piątek 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 Piątek, who then put Wilimowski into action. 'Ezi' dribbled past two defenders and shot from a close range.
In the 75th minute of the game, Hungarian defender Sándor Bíró 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.
However, there were people who were predicting catastrophe. Ominous were the words of the director of PZPN, Colonel Kazimierz Glabisz, who during the after-game banquet said: "Who knows - maybe this was the last game before another war?"
. Coach Kaluza had already selected players for this match. These were:
In reserve stayed: Adolf Krzyk
(Brygada Częstochowa), Władysław Szczepaniak and Stanislaw Filipek (both Polonia Warszawa
), Edmund Białas (KPW Poznań).
Then, on Wednesday, September 6, 1939, probably in Belgrade
, Poland was scheduled to face Yugoslavia
. Coach Kaluza decided to send there almost identical team as the one that beat Hungary. There was only one difference - Schreier was going to replace Jaznicki. In reserve were: Brom, Pytel, Bialas and Piec.
On September 24, 1939, two international friendlies were scheduled. Polish first team was going to play Romania
in Warsaw, Polish reserve was going to go to Helsinki
, to face Finland
.
Unfortunately, on Friday, September 1, 1939, Germany invaded
, World War II started, and Sunday's game was the last match of interwar Poland.
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
, was played on Sunday August 27, 1939, at the Wojska Polskiego Stadium in Warsaw
Warsaw
Warsaw is the capital and largest city of Poland. It is located on the Vistula River, roughly from the Baltic Sea and from the Carpathian Mountains. Its population in 2010 was estimated at 1,716,855 residents with a greater metropolitan area of 2,631,902 residents, making Warsaw the 10th most...
. It was the last game of the interwar Polish football team
Poland national football team
The Poland national football team represents Poland in association football and is controlled by the Polish Football Association, the governing body for football in Poland...
before the Second World War. The Polish national football team faced and beat one of the best teams of that period - 1938's FIFA World Cup
1938 FIFA World Cup
The 1938 FIFA World Cup was the third staging of the World Cup, and was held in France from 4 June to 19 June. Italy retained the championship, beating Hungary 4–2 in the final.-Host selection:...
runners-up, Hungary
Hungary national football team
The Hungary national football team represents Hungary in international football and is controlled by the Hungarian Football Federation....
, 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 II and also because it was a victory over a renowned team - the biggest success in history of Polish soccer up to that time.
Four days before the match, the Germans
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
and the Soviets had secretly signed the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact
Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact
The Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact, named after the Soviet foreign minister Vyacheslav Molotov and the German foreign minister Joachim von Ribbentrop, was an agreement officially titled the Treaty of Non-Aggression between Germany and the Soviet Union and signed in Moscow in the late hours of 23 August 1939...
, according to which Poland was to be wiped off the map of Europe. The perception in Warsaw was that something was up in the air, mobilization of the Polish Army was supposed to be announced at any time, but in spite of this people were hoping for the best, enjoying the weather and last days of summer vacation.
In 1939, the Hungarian soccer team was widely regarded as one of the best in the world, and hardly anyone in Poland believed that their players in white and red uniforms, their national colors, were going to win over their opponents. This opinion was echoed by the nation's largest sports daily Przegląd Sportowy
Przeglad Sportowy
Przeglad Sportowy is the oldest and largest Polish sports daily, founded in 1921 in Kraków. In 1926 it initiated an annual, popular plebiscite for the Polish Sportspersonality of the Year...
, which in Saturday's issue exclaimed in large print on the front page, "Without chances, but ready to fight". Poland was to face the Hungarians for the ninth time - up to then, the Poles had never won.
The Polish team
The Polish team under manager Józef Kałuża:- Adolf KrzykAdolf KrzykAdolf Krzyk was a Polish soccer goalkeeper.Krzyk represented both Brygada Częstochowa and Polish National Team . Altogether, played 6 games in Polish jersey, allowing 11 goals. His debut took place September 12, 1937 in Warsaw...
, Brygada CzęstochowaBrygada CzestochowaBrygada Częstochowa was a soccer team from Częstochowa, Poland. The team was supported by Częstochowa's garrison of the Polish Army and in the 1930s it played in regional soccer A-Class tournament of the Kielce region. Brygada unsuccessfully tried to get promoted to the Polish Soccer League. Its...
- goalkeeper, - Władysław Szczepaniak, Polonia WarszawaPolonia WarszawaPolonia Warsaw is a Polish sports club with football and basketball teams, founded in 1911, and is the oldest such club in Warsaw, where it is based.- History :...
(captain) - defender, - Edmund GiemsaEdmund GiemsaEdmund Giemza was a Polish interwar soccer player, started career as a forward, then moved to midfield, regarded as an expert on free kicks. Born on October 16, 1912 in Upper Silesian city of Ruda Śląska, died on September 30, 1994 in Chinnor, England.Giemsa played for Ruch Chorzów as well as...
, Ruch ChorzówRuch ChorzówRuch Chorzów is a Polish association football club based in Chorzów, Upper Silesia. It is one of the most successful football teams in Poland: 14 time national champion, and 3 time winner of the Polish Cup. Currently the team plays in the top Polish league, the Ekstraklasa. Their stadium capacity...
- defender, - Wilhelm GóraWilhelm GóraWilhelm Antoni Góra was a Polish midfield soccer player.His career started in...
, Cracovia - midfielder, - Edward Jabłoński, Cracovia Kraków - midfielder,
- Ewald DytkoEwald DytkoEdward Jan Dytko was a German-born Upper Silesian soccer player, who, when his home country became Poland by Treaty of Versailles represented the no longer existing team of Dąb Katowice, also in 1935-39 he played in the Polish National Team.He was born in Zalenze and since early childhood played...
, Dąb KatowiceDab KatowiceDąb Katowice was a former Polish sports club from Upper Silesian capital of Katowice. Founded in 1911 as SV Eiche , the club existed until September 9, 1968, when a merger with GKS Katowice took place and a new organization took over the name GKS.Dąb had numerous sports sections, including...
- midfielder - Henryk JaznickiHenryk JaznickiHenryk Jaźnicki was a Polish football player, forward representing Polonia Warsaw and Polish National Team. Jaźnicki played in only one international friendly, without scoring a goal. His lone match occurred on August 27, 1939 in Warsaw, versus Hungary...
, Polonia Warszawa - forward (replaced in 31. minute by Stanisław Baran, Warszawianka WarszawaWarszawianka WarszawaKlub Sportowy Warszawianka is a former Polish multi-sport club from Warsaw. Founded in 1921 by the famous Warsaw families of Luxemburgs and Loths . Hues - black-white, the logo consisted of a black capital letter W.-History:At first, the club's main effort was concentrated on football...
), - Ewald CebulaEwald CebulaEdward Cebula was a Polish football player and defender...
, Śląsk Świętochłowice - forward, - Leonard PiątekLeonard PiatekLeonard Franciszek Piątek was a Polish football player of Upper Silesian origin who played in the interwar period....
, AKS ChorzówAKS ChorzówAKS Chorzów is a sports club in based in Chorzów, Poland. It is one of the earliest sports organizations in Upper Silesia and is still well-known nationally for its football and handball teams...
- forward, - Ernest Willimowski, Ruch Chorzów - forward,
- Paweł Cyganek, Fablok ChrzanówFablok ChrzanówFablok Chrzanów is a Polish sports club, founded in 1926 in Chrzanów. Its name reflects the name of club’s sponsor - Fablok, the biggest and most important company of the town....
- forward.
An interesting fact is that a famous Scotsman Alex James
Alex James (footballer)
Alexander Wilson James was a Scottish footballer, and is most noted for his success with Arsenal, where he is regarded as one of the club's greatest players of all time. James played as an inside forward, as a supporting player for the main strikers...
, who in the summer of 1939 temporarily helped Józef Kałuża 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.
The Hungarian team
- Ferenc Sziklai, Újpest FCÚjpest FCÚjpest Football Club , earlier known as Újpesti TE and Újpesti Dózsa, is a Hungarian football club, based in Újpest, Budapest. The club's colours are purple and white...
- goalkeeper, - Károly Kis, MTK Hungária FCMTK Hungária FCMTK Budapest FC or just MTK is a football club from Budapest, Hungary. The team plays in the second division of the Hungarian League. The club's colours are blue and white. As one of the most successful Hungarian football clubs, MTK has won the Hungarian League 23 times and the Hungarian Cup 12...
- defender, - Sándor BíróSándor BíróSándor Bíró was a former Hungarian footballer who played as a defender. He played for the Hungarian national team 54 times between 1932 and 1946, and he played in all four Hungarian matches in the 1938 FIFA World Cup, including the final against Italy.Between July 1933 and June 1938 he played his...
, MTK Hungária FC - defender, - Antal SzalayAntal SzalayAntal Szalay was a Hungarian footballer who played for Újpest FC, as well as representing the Hungarian national football team at the 1934 and the 1938 FIFA World Cup. He went on to coach UTA Arad, FC Craiova, Carrarese Calcio, Pro Patria and St. George-Budapest.-References:...
, Újpest FC - midfielder, - József TurayJózsef TurayJózsef Turay is an Hungarian football forward who played for Hungary in the 1938 FIFA World Cup. He also played for MTK Hungária FC.- Fifa World Cup Career :-External links:*...
, MTK Hungária FC (captain) - midfielder, - János DudásJános DudásJános Dudás was a Hungarian football midfielder who played for Hungary in the 1934 and 1938 FIFA World Cups. He also played for MTK Budapest FC.-External links:*...
, MTK Hungária FC - midfielder, - Sándor Ádám, Újpest FC - forward,
- György Sárosi, Ferencvárosi TC - forward,
- Gyula ZsengellérGyula ZsengellérGyula Zsengellér was a Hungarian footballer and a legend of Újpest FC, most famous for his part in taking the Hungarian national team to the 1938 World Cup Final. He was that tournament's second-highest scorer, behind Leonidas of Brazil.His first international cap came on 2 December 1936, when...
, Újpest FC - forward, - Géza ToldiGéza ToldiGéza Toldi was a Hungarian footballer. He played for Ferencvárosi TC, and from 1934 to 1938 for the Hungarian national team, serving as captain in 1936. He scored a goal in the 1938 FIFA World Cup....
, Ferencvárosi TC - forward, - László Gyetvai, Ferencvárosi TC - forward.
Coach - Dénes Ginzery.
The game
At 5 p.m. sharp, Finnish referee Esko K. Pekonen blew his whistle for the first time. For the first half hour, the visitors were the more effective team, ceaselessly attacking Krzyk's goal, who got into difficulties early on. In just fourteen minutes time, Hungary's Gyula Zsengeller scored the first goal from a short distance. The Polish fans, many of them in military uniforms, who overflowed the stands, were suddenly quieted. In the 30th minute, another goal was scored by Hungary - this time by Sándor Ádám. It looked like Poland was going to get a drubbing, but soon the Poles managed to regain control of the game.Just 180 seconds later, in the 33rd minute, Dytko passed the ball to Piątek 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 Piątek, who then put Wilimowski into action. 'Ezi' dribbled past two defenders and shot from a close range.
In the 75th minute of the game, Hungarian defender Sándor Bíró 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.
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.However, there were people who were predicting catastrophe. Ominous were the words of the director of PZPN, Colonel Kazimierz Glabisz, who during the after-game banquet said: "Who knows - maybe this was the last game before another war?"
The games that never took place
Meanwhile Polish officials were planning the next games. On Sunday, September 3, 1939 in Warsaw, Poland was going to face BulgariaBulgaria
Bulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
. Coach Kaluza had already selected players for this match. These were:
- Walter BromWalter BromWalter Henryk Brom was a Polish soccer goalkeeper. Brom, who played for Ruch Chorzów, was a reserve player of Polish team in FIFA World Cup 1938. He was the youngest goalie who has ever been listed in any World Cup finals...
, Ruch ChorzówRuch ChorzówRuch Chorzów is a Polish association football club based in Chorzów, Upper Silesia. It is one of the most successful football teams in Poland: 14 time national champion, and 3 time winner of the Polish Cup. Currently the team plays in the top Polish league, the Ekstraklasa. Their stadium capacity...
, - Edmund GiemsaEdmund GiemsaEdmund Giemza was a Polish interwar soccer player, started career as a forward, then moved to midfield, regarded as an expert on free kicks. Born on October 16, 1912 in Upper Silesian city of Ruda Śląska, died on September 30, 1994 in Chinnor, England.Giemsa played for Ruch Chorzów as well as...
, Ruch Chorzów, - Michal Dusik, KPW Poznań,
- Kazimierz LisKazimierz LisKazimierz Lis was a football player of the Polish team Warta Poznań as well as Polish International Team. He played in the 1930s and late 1940s, back then Warta was one of top teams of Poland...
, Warta PoznańWarta PoznanWarta Poznań is a football club based in Poznań, Poland. Founded in 1912, the club are two-time winners of the Polish Football Championship, in 1929 and 1947, but currently reside in the Polish First League. The name means the Guard in Polish and also a name of river Warta on which Poznań is...
, - Wilhelm PiecWilhelm PiecWilhelm Piec - Polish soccer forward player.Wilhelm was one of best players of interwar Poland...
, Naprzód LipinyNaprzód LipinyGKS Naprzód Świętochłowice Lipiny - a sports club from Swietochlowice’s district of Lipiny , founded in 1920 by Alfons Maniura, who became Naprzód first chairman. Throughout the years, the club for many times changed name. In 1920-1939 and then in 1945-1965 it was Naprzód Lipiny, in 1939-1945 -...
, - Henryk Mikunda, Ruch Chorzów,
- ?? Schreier, Warta Poznań,
- Boleslaw Gendera, Warta Poznań,
- Ewald CebulaEwald CebulaEdward Cebula was a Polish football player and defender...
, Śląsk Świętochłowice, - Franciszek Pytel, AKS ChorzówAKS ChorzówAKS Chorzów is a sports club in based in Chorzów, Poland. It is one of the earliest sports organizations in Upper Silesia and is still well-known nationally for its football and handball teams...
, - Paweł Cyganek, Fablok ChrzanówFablok ChrzanówFablok Chrzanów is a Polish sports club, founded in 1926 in Chrzanów. Its name reflects the name of club’s sponsor - Fablok, the biggest and most important company of the town....
.
In reserve stayed: Adolf Krzyk
Adolf Krzyk
Adolf Krzyk was a Polish soccer goalkeeper.Krzyk represented both Brygada Częstochowa and Polish National Team . Altogether, played 6 games in Polish jersey, allowing 11 goals. His debut took place September 12, 1937 in Warsaw...
(Brygada Częstochowa), Władysław Szczepaniak and Stanislaw Filipek (both Polonia Warszawa
Polonia Warszawa
Polonia Warsaw is a Polish sports club with football and basketball teams, founded in 1911, and is the oldest such club in Warsaw, where it is based.- History :...
), Edmund Białas (KPW Poznań).
Then, on Wednesday, September 6, 1939, probably in Belgrade
Belgrade
Belgrade is the capital and largest city of Serbia. It is located at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, where the Pannonian Plain meets the Balkans. According to official results of Census 2011, the city has a population of 1,639,121. It is one of the 15 largest cities in Europe...
, Poland was scheduled to face Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia refers to three political entities that existed successively on the western part of the Balkans during most of the 20th century....
. Coach Kaluza decided to send there almost identical team as the one that beat Hungary. There was only one difference - Schreier was going to replace Jaznicki. In reserve were: Brom, Pytel, Bialas and Piec.
On September 24, 1939, two international friendlies were scheduled. Polish first team was going to play Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
in Warsaw, Polish reserve was going to go to Helsinki
Helsinki
Helsinki is the capital and largest city in Finland. It is in the region of Uusimaa, located in southern Finland, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, an arm of the Baltic Sea. The population of the city of Helsinki is , making it by far the most populous municipality in Finland. Helsinki is...
, to face Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
.
Unfortunately, on Friday, September 1, 1939, Germany invaded
Invasion of Poland (1939)
The Invasion of Poland, also known as the September Campaign or 1939 Defensive War in Poland and the Poland Campaign in Germany, was an invasion of Poland by Germany, the Soviet Union, and a small Slovak contingent that marked the start of World War II in Europe...
, World War II started, and Sunday's game was the last match of interwar Poland.
See also
- History of football in Poland
- Polish soccer (football) in interwar periodPolish soccer (football) in interwar periodThe interwar period of Polish football began in the late fall of 1918 after First World War, when Poland regained independence, which had been lost at the end of 18th century . The newly created country soon started to organize its administration and several national organizations...
- The first game: December 18, 1921. Hungary - Poland 1-0
- Polish Roster in World Cup Soccer France 1938