Calgacus
March 1st, 2007, 05:42 PM
In the FIFA soccer world cup held in Italy in 1934, the Austrian team arrived at the tournament as the favourites. Over the previous three years, the Austrian side had carved out a formidable reputation, playing their slick passing game known as 'the Danubian style' and spearheaded by the genius Matthias Sindelar. From May 1931, when they hammered Scotland 5-0, the results poured in - 6-0 and 5-0 against Germany, 8-1 against Switzerland, 8-2 against Hungary. They were highly unlucky to lose 4-3 to England at Wembley, and the British press waxed lyrical about the Austrians magnificent play. In the qualifiers, they had beaten Bulgaria 6-1, then progressed through to the Semi-final in Milan by beating France and Hungary, both strong sides.
In the semi-final, they met the hosts Italy, who had struggled through a semi-final replay against a weaker Spain side. Despite having the home support (and allegedly the referees) on their side, the Italians struggled to break down Austria. Eventually they sneaked through 1-0. In the process, the Italian defender Lui Monti had fouled Sindelar out of the game, removing the Austrians best player from effective play. Earlier, Monti had commented "when I see Sindelar, I see red!"
The question is, if Austria had beaten Italy (perhaps due to better refereeing or Monti missing the game), what might have happened as a result? While by no means certain, it is likely that the Austrians would have beaten Czechoslovakia in the final, considering their similar styles of play, and the Austrians good run of form.
Now, when Germany won the world cup in 1954, the result (against a superior Hungarian side) was named 'das Wunder von Bern' or the Miracle of Berne, and reinvigorated a nation demoralised and battered by war and occupation. There is no doubt of the effect that sporting success can have on a nation's self-image, especially a nation as football-crazy as Austria was at the time. Therefore, is it possible that the increased sense of national pride and identity (not to mention the possible boost to the economy) could have strengthened Austria sufficiently to resist the Nazi threat in 1937-38? What effect would this have had? Would Austria have won again in France in 1938?
In the semi-final, they met the hosts Italy, who had struggled through a semi-final replay against a weaker Spain side. Despite having the home support (and allegedly the referees) on their side, the Italians struggled to break down Austria. Eventually they sneaked through 1-0. In the process, the Italian defender Lui Monti had fouled Sindelar out of the game, removing the Austrians best player from effective play. Earlier, Monti had commented "when I see Sindelar, I see red!"
The question is, if Austria had beaten Italy (perhaps due to better refereeing or Monti missing the game), what might have happened as a result? While by no means certain, it is likely that the Austrians would have beaten Czechoslovakia in the final, considering their similar styles of play, and the Austrians good run of form.
Now, when Germany won the world cup in 1954, the result (against a superior Hungarian side) was named 'das Wunder von Bern' or the Miracle of Berne, and reinvigorated a nation demoralised and battered by war and occupation. There is no doubt of the effect that sporting success can have on a nation's self-image, especially a nation as football-crazy as Austria was at the time. Therefore, is it possible that the increased sense of national pride and identity (not to mention the possible boost to the economy) could have strengthened Austria sufficiently to resist the Nazi threat in 1937-38? What effect would this have had? Would Austria have won again in France in 1938?