Breslau Elf

[prymetyme]

Ive been reading up on some history of the national team from way back and Ive come across a team that was reffered too as the "Breslau Elf" I know they won a game against Denmark 8-0 in Breslau, Poland. Is this the same team that could have beat the Italians if they were invited to the World Cup in 1938? I've been trying to research this more, but there isnt much imformation on it. Thanks :)

[herewego]

The "Breslau Elf" was called after the game you mentioned. Germany had a bad olympic tournament on homesoil Berlin 1936 and this 8:0 was regarded as a big comeback with a new formation. This team won 10 of the next 11 internationals. But that wasn´t what made this team famous, it got unforgotten by the tragedy, that this team, that the fans thought to be nearly unbeatable, was not allowed to play at the 1938 World Cup.
As meanwhile Austria was annexed, the Nazis ordered, that a team that should represent the now Greater German Reich, had to be lined-up by a mix of german and austrian players. This team did not adjust in time and failt horribly at the World Cup - which made the "Breslau Elf" just more legendary in the eyes of the fans.

There was a political aspect too, because that was surely not the Nazis intention, a manifestation that a combination of Germany and Austria must not be a favour in any case.

[Alex_K]

Ive been reading up on some history of the national team from way back and Ive come across a team that was reffered too as the "Breslau Elf" I know they won a game against Denmark 8-0 in Breslau, Poland.

It was actually in Breslau, Germany :D.

[Hendrik]

Sepp Herberger, as "Reichstrainer", had the unpleasant job, to make one team out of two national teams, which played very different. On the one hand the "Breslau-Eleven" and on the other hand the technical perfectionalists, the "Wiener Scheiberspiel-Eleven"- a new German united team. It was no surprise at all that Germany played 1:1 against Switzerland in the very first game in Paris and after the 2:4 defeat in the repetition game against the Switzerland, the German team was separated from the tournament.
fussballportal.de

[herewego]

Yepp, he was not only ordered to field a mix of austrians and germans, he had to do it in a fixed number of 5 austrians and 6 germans or the other way around.

To take the core of one of the teams and add the best striker and maybe the keeper of the other could have strengthen the team, but to be ordered in March to do the mix in a 5 to 6 relation for a tournament in June, simply couldn´t work.

The tragedy was, that both Austria and Germany were qualified for that WC and both were internationaly rated as challengers for the title.

[prymetyme]

thanks everyone, I understand it now. It's a shame the team didnt get to stick togather, but like it was said above that does add to its legend although I would have loved to see the Italians with one less star... :D

[Gregoriak]

Some names:

Breslau, 16 May 1937
Germany 8
Denmark 0
Referee: Krist (Czechoslovakia)
Attendance: 40,000
Germany: Jakob (Regensburg) - Janes (Düsseldorf), Münzenberg (Aachen) - Kupfer (Schweinfurt), Goldbrunner (Bayern), Kitzinger (Schweinfurt) - Lehner (Augsburg), Gellesch (Schalke 04), Siffling (Waldhof), Szepan (Schalke 04), Urban (Schalke 04)
Captain: Szepan.
Denmark: S.Jensen - P.Hansen, O.Jörgensen - Larsen, H.Nielsen, T.Jensen - Söbirk, Kleven, P.Jörgensen, Uldaler, Thielsen.
Goals: 1-0 Lehner 7, 2-0 Siffling 33, 3-0 Siffling 40, 4-0 Siffling 44., 5-0 Siffling 48, 6-0 Siffling 65, 7-0 Urban 70, 8-0 Szepan 78
Best Players: Siffling, Janes, Lehner, Urban, Kupfer - P.Jörgensen

Denmark had been unbeaten for over a year before that game!

[Gregoriak]

http://www.weihenstephan.de/itw/persons/becker/gifs/Breslau_Elf_mit_Namen.jpg

[F96]

It was actually in Breslau, Germany :D.


Seems like you're may favourite rep 'victim', can't rep you anymore.

[The Old Lady Hertha]

Dun worry, i got him ;)

[Alex_K]

Thanks everyone :D.

[Gregoriak]

THE BRESLAU XI


Hans JAKOB (1908-1994)
Goalkeeper, 38 Caps/0 goals (1930-1939)
Hans ‘Jakl’ Jakob was an all-round athlete who managed considerable results in track-and-field, winning the Bavarian hurdles race championships repedeatedly and a decathlon promoter almost persuaded him to pursue a decathlon career. Jakob became Germany’s number goal keeper after the 1934 World Cup, replacing Willibald Kress who had fallen out of favour with Reich coach Otto Nerz after a momentuous blunder by Kress in the semi final had arguably cost Germany the final. In his 38 international games, Jakob collected eleven clean-sheets and while he was guarding the goal, Germany only was defeated eight times.


http://www.altstars.de/pics/autogram/a_janes.jpg

Paul JANES (1912-1987)
Right back, 71/7 (1932-1942)
One of the best full backs of his era, Paul Janes established a record for most German caps which wasn’t broken until 1970. Janes started out as a right half back, but during the 1934 World Cup he debuted as right back and stayed at that position for the rest of his career. He was injured during the 1936 Olympics and thus was spared of the embarrassing defeat of Germany by Norway. During the latter half of the 1930s, Germany possessed one of the strongest full back pairings in European football with Paul Janes and Reinhold Münzenberg. Vittorio Pozzo, the coach of World Champions Italy, nominated Janes for a 1937 continental selection, but Janes could not participate due to an injury. One of Janes’ best assets was his powerful yet accurate shooting ability, which gave him the neat nickname “World Champion of Precision”. His trademark were hard shots from all possible angles, his seven goals for Germany all came from either freekicks (4) or penalties (3). He was also a very calm player that kept his cool even in nerve-wrecking situations. Sepp Herberger said the following about Janes’ characteristics: “He rarely was caught off-guard on the pitch, as he had the ability to anticipate what the opponent was planning and he interpreted defensive play always as the first step in building up the next attack.” Despite his calmness and overall cleverness, Janes was renowned for an extravaganza that he had imported from South America: He was the first German footballer to specialize in the acrobatic ‘bicycle kick’! During World War II, Janes served in the Reichsmarine. He captained Germany 31 times. Despite his age of 38, Janes almost would have had a comeback for Germany in the first international game after WWII in 1950, but he broke his foot shortly before and thus had to finish his career. Janes was known to be a silent man who didn’t divulge in too much talking. In 1934, he was asked about how it was like playing in the World Cup in Italy, his response was: “Warm”.


http://sport.freepage.de/cgi-bin/feets/freepage_ext/339483x434877d/rewrite/schaff/alemannia/geschichte/spieler/images/Muenz1.jpg
(Münzenberg on the left)


Reinhold MÜNZENBERG (1908-1986)
Left back, 41/0 (1930-1939)
Reinhold Münzenberg was one of the best and most powerful defensive players of the 1930s. He started his career as a center half, a role in which the physically strong Münzenberg excelled, being one of the best headers of the ball of his time. After Germany had played at Wembley against England in 1935 (England won 3-0), the English press praised ‘Steely’ Münzenberg for his combination of toughness and technical ability, claiming that he played more 'English' than the English themselves. His reputation was one of athleticism and tremendous commitment. The first time Münzenberg made international football headlines was after the 1934 World Cup third place game, when he condemned the Czech super goalgetter Josef Bican to insignificance. By 1936, Münzenberg had been converted from center half to full back, another role in which excelled. The full back pairing of Janes-Münzenberg developed into one of the best of the late-1930s in Europe. Münzenberg became an architect after he retired from football and died in 1986 only hours after he had watched the World Cup semi final in which West Germany beat France 2-0.


http://www.zdf.de/ZDFde/img/99/0,1886,2656739,00.jpg

Andreas KUPFER (1914-2001)
Right half back, 44/1 (1937-1950)
One of two Schweinfurt players featured in the Breslau XI. Andreas ‘Anderl’ Kupfer was one of the best half backs in the history of German football and is the only player that was part of Germany’s last international game before the end of WWII (1942) as well as the first one after the war (1950)! Kupfer made himself a name as the “right half with the left foot” and together with his Schweinfurt colleague Albin Kitzinger formed the best half back duo in German football. Between the two halves was center half Ludwig Goldbrunner and this trio was considered the best assembly of halves during the time Germany played the 2-3-5 system (1930s to 1950s). Kupfer was a player that fascinated the crowds with his elegant ways of playing and he was a master of kicking the ball with just moving his ankle joint. In 1938 he was called up to play for the World XI against England at Wembley. He finished his active career in 1954 after having played in over 650 games for Schweinfurt 05.

[Gregoriak]

http://futbolfactory.futbolweb.net/historicos/images/godi.jpg

Ludwig GOLDBRUNNER (1908-1981)
Center half, 39/0 (1933-1940)
Ludwig ‘Lutte’ Goldbrunner was one of the superstars of German football in the time before WWII. Goldbrunner was center half of Bayern Munich’s first really great side, the 1932 German champions. A year later, Goldbrunner debuted for Germany against Switzerland. In the following years Goldbrunner took turns with Reinhold Münzenberg at the center half position, but by 1936 Münzenberg had moved to full back which allowed Goldbrunner to settle in at the center half position permanently. During his international career, Goldbrunner played against the best center forwards in European football, namely England’s George Camsell, Portugal’s Fernando Peyroteo, Belgium’s Raymond Braine, France’s Paul Nicholas, Italy’s Silvio Piola, Scotland’s Armstrong and Spain’s Isidro Langara. Out of these, only Camsell managed to score against Goldbrunner!


Albin KITZINGER (1912-1970)
Left half back, 44/2 (1935-1942)
Albin Kitzinger distinguished himself with assuredness on the ball and the calmness in which he distributed the ball. Together with Kupfer and Goldbrunner he formed one of the best halves trio of the late-1930s. Of these three, Kitzinger was the driving force. In 1937 he was called up to represent Western Europe in Amsterdam against Central Europe and a year later he was selected to play in the World XI against England in Wembley. Altogether he starred in 826 games for his club Schweinfurt 05! He died at the age of 58 after a long and severe illness.


http://www.besteauktion.de/item_img/1/9/8/3/19830561

Ernst LEHNER (1912-1986)
Outside right, 65/30 (1933-1942)
Ernst Lehner was one of the paciest and most skilled outside rights of the mid-/late-1930s. His specialty were corner kicks, he gained a reputation for often trying (and succeeding) to convert them directly! In a 1937 World Cup qualifier against Estonia, Germany trailed 0-1 at half-time. But after the break Germany collected 18 corner kicks, two of them Lehner converted directly and two other corners of his were headed into the Estonian goal by Jupp Gauchel – Germany won 4-1! Not few experts considered Lehner the best outside right of the 1934 World Cup in Italy, others touted him “the best amateur player in Europe” (as professionalism was not allowed in Germany in the 1930s). He was one of the players selected to represent Western Europe against Central Europe in 1937.


Rudolf GELLESCH (1914-1990)
Inside right, 20/1 (1935-1941)
One of the many talents emanating from FC Schalke 04 during the 1930s, young Rudolf Gellesch replaced Fritz Szepan as inside forward after the Schalke legend had moved to the center half position. Gellesch appeared to be a double of Szepan. He was a talented threader of moves on the pitch.

[Gregoriak]

http://www.waldhof-online.de/images/history/siffling3.jpg

Otto SIFFLING (1912-1939)
Center forward, 31/17 (1934-1938)
Otto Siffling was one of the most talented center forwards of the 1930s who died of a pleurisy in October 1939 aged 27. An opinionated and exceptionally gifted player, Siffling was a virtuoso on the pitch that impressed with his ingenuity and imagination when on the ball. He was not a traditional center forward, not a fan of overly physical play, he preferred to create more than to score himself. Taciturn in nature, he did not like to be in the spotlight and ovations at times made him feel uncomfortable. His performance for the Breslau XI in 1937 was the pinnacle of his career. In 1938 his level suddenly dropped inexplicably, so that he was not starting in the 1938 World Cup. A year later he was dead.


http://www.wernerfrueh.de/szepan.jpg

Fritz SZEPAN (1907-1974)
Inside left, 34/8 (1929-1939)
To some, Fritz Szepan was the “Beckenbauer” of the pre-WWII years, to others simply one of the great legends of German football. His name is synonymous with the great Schalke era of the 1930s and early-1940s. He already played for Schalke at the age of 15 in 1924, when he replaced Ernst Kuzorra, the other great Schalke legend. He started out at inside right but gained international recognition in his interpretation of the center half role. Szepan made the play of Schalke and the German national side (in the 1934 World Cup) at a time other center halves were largely committed to covering the opposing center forward. He however was not an easy-going player and declared his retirement from international play more than once. Szepan had a comeback in late-1936, playing at inside left. His displays again reached the high level of his 1934 World Cup performance and by 1937 Szepan was the outstanding playmaker of the Breslau XI.


http://www.fussballtelefonkarten-2006.de/Produktgrafiken/Artikel/9904-g.gif

Adolf URBAN (1913-1943)
Outside left, 21/11 (1935-1942)
Urban was sultry and self-confident player who never was afraid to speak his opinion. Member of the famous 1930s Schalke side, he started out as inside left and later moved to outside left, becoming one of the best players of his club. Kicker described Urban’s characteristics as follows: “Irrepressible temperament and urge towards the goal are his nature. He finds his way both as inside and outside forward. What we like best about him is his remarkable versatility. There are no riddles for him in a game.” He died on the Eastern Front.

[prymetyme]

lol Gregoriak, you always amaze me.

[Borussia]

I wonder where he gets all this information...

[Gregoriak]

My source:

http://ec2.images-amazon.com/images/P/3328007490.03._SS500_SCLZZZZZZZ_V1056567351_.jpg

[Borussia]

Wow, I have to buy that book too. ;)

[Gregoriak]

If you're on a book-buying spree, you must absolutely consider this book:

http://ec2.images-amazon.com/images/P/389533474X.01._SS500_SCLZZZZZZZ_V1111054741_.jpg

It's by Ulrich Hesse-Lichtenberger and I think it is his second book and his first written in German. I've read quite a few books on the history of the European Cup but this is the real deal. Excellent read and filled with many little-known facts.

http://www.amazon.de/Flutlicht-Schatten-Ulrich-Hesse-Lichtenberger/dp/389533474X/sr=8-1/qid=1168197735/ref=sr_1_1/303-5847206-0735428?ie=UTF8&s=books

[Borussia]

Thanx for the tip.