[I remember hearing about this in the papers & on the wireless when I was a lad. It was indeed a dark day for the world of football, not just in Italy. It was essentially the equivalent of what the '58 Munich air crash was for Man. Utd. & England IMHO.]
Not only that, most people will say that if Superga didn't occur, Italy would have performed much better at Brazil 50. IMO, I reckon the Azzurri could have won a third consuctive World Cup. In the early 50s, the Milan clubs were becoming a force so one would wonder if Milan's Gre-No-Li attack or Inter with Nacka Skoglund, Faas Wilkes and Benito Lorenzi could have competed against Il Grande Torino or ended their domination. Torino has had some crap presidents over the years and the current one, Cairo, is a stooge. If they had a proper president, they could have built themselves as decent side in the Serie A and not a mediocre one Serie B. I doubt they'll find a president that will make them a power once again. To me, that 1975-76 title win was a one-off and looks set to remain their only scudetto post-Superga.
I didn't see a mention of 1960s Benfica in here. Eusabio, Two European Cups, 3 Other European Cup final appearances, and 8 League Titles. Late 70s Nottingham Forest. A League title, runners up, two League Cups (it meant something back then), Two European Cups, UEFA Super Cup, and the Intercontinental. Early to mid 80s Aberdeen. Remember life without the Old Firm running things? Champions: 1979–80; 1983–84; 1984–85, Scottish Cup Winners: 1982; 1983; 1984; 1986, League Cup 1986-86; European Cup Winners Cup in 1983, European Super Cup 1983. This dude called Alex Ferguson was in charge .... I don't think people realize quite how much Aberdeen won in how short a period.
Benfica in the 60s are highly-regarded by most football historians. I'm unsure on Notts Forest. I think individual players from that team are forgotten by fans and not the team's achievements. Aberdeen is a fair call. Some people overrate Ferguson because of what he has done at Man U and I don't rate him as highly as other great managers because Scotland were shocking at Mexico 86. His stint at Aberdeen shows that he already knew how to put a quality side together without the need of millions that he has had at Man U.
When hasn't Scotland been shocking at a World Cup? Actually, I think it's a bit harsh because Scotland were in what many considered before the tournament to be the 'group of death' and held up okay against Denmark and West Germany. Of course, the bottom line is to win and Scotland couldn't produce against ten-men Uruguay when it was required for advancement.
Millonarios 1949-1953 "El Ballet Azul" *Colombia Titles: Professional Colombian Championship: 1949, 1951, 1952, 1953 - Runner-up: 1950 Colombian Cup: 1952-53 - Runner-up: 1951-52 Campeonato Bodas de Oro del Real Madrid en Marzo de 1952 Pequeña Copa del Mundo: 1953 - Runner-up: 1952 1949 - Millonarios Alcides AGUILERA [URU], Tomás AVES, Pedro CABILLÓN [ARG], Alfredo CASTILLO [ARG], Alfonso CORREA, Oscar CORZO [ARG], Alfredo DI STÉFANO [ARG], Manuel FANDIÑO, Rafael GRANADOS, Alfredo MOSQUERA [PER], Danilo MOURMAN [BRA], Gabriel OCHOA URIBE, Angel OTERO, Adolfo PEDERNERA [ARG], Rubén ROCHA, Néstor Raúl ROSSI [ARG], Ismael SORIA [PER], Rafael VALEK, Francisco ZULUAGA. Coach: Carlos ALDABE [ARG] 1951 - Millonarios Alcides AGUILERA [URU], Tomás AVES, Antonio BAEZ [ARG], Alfredo CASTILLO [ARG], Julio COZZI [ARG], Alfredo DI STÉFANO [ARG], Alfredo MOSQUERA [PER], Reinaldo MOURÍN [ARG], Gabriel OCHOA URIBE, Adolfo PEDERNERA [ARG], Raúl PINI [URU], Julio César RAMÍREZ [PAR], Hugo REYES [ARG], Néstor Raúl ROSSI [ARG], Ismael SORIA [PER], Francisco ZULUAGA. Coach: Adolfo PEDERNERA [ARG] 1952 - Millonarios Alcides AGUILERA [URU], Julio AVILA [ARG], Antonio BAEZ [ARG], Jorge BENEGAS [ARG], Julio COZZI [ARG], Alfredo DI STÉFANO [ARG], Mario FERNANDEZ [ARG], Alfredo MOSQUERA [PER], Reinaldo MOURÍN [ARG], Gabriel OCHOA URIBE, Adolfo PEDERNERA [ARG], Raúl PINI [URU], Julio César RAMÍREZ [PAR], Hugo REYES [ARG], Néstor Raúl ROSSI [ARG], Ismael SORIA [PER], Felipe STEMBERG [ARG], Francisco ZULUAGA. Coach: Adolfo PEDERNERA [ARG] 1953 - Millonarios Julio ARAGÓN, Julio AVILA [ARG], Jorge BENEGAS [ARG], Oscar CONTRERAS [ARG], Julio COZZI [ARG], Narciso DE CASTRO, Alfredo DI STÉFANO [ARG] (before May), Mario FERNÁNDEZ [ARG], Hermel HERNÁNDEZ, Roberto MARTINEZ [ARG], Reinaldo MOURÍN [ARG], Gabriel OCHOA URIBE, Adolfo PEDERNERA [ARG], Raúl PINI [URU], Julio César RAMÍREZ [PAR], Néstor Raúl ROSSI [ARG], Ismael SORIA [PER], Felipe STEMBERG [ARG], Jacinto VILLALBA [PER], Ramón VILLAVERDE [URU], Francisco ZULUAGA. Coach: Adolfo PEDERNERA [ARG] http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ballet_Azul#Millonarios.2C_el_Ballet_Azul spanish link
It would be interesting to check - since Colombia at that time was a country even poorer than today where came from the resources (or the 'millionaire' ) - to buy all those stars since they kept signing great players in the following years: if I'm not wrong, Zizinho, Garrincha, Didi & many others (generally retired or in end of career).
Racing Club de Avellaneda 1949-1951 Titles: Argentine Championship: 1949, 1950 and 1951 Squads: 1949: Antonio Rodriguez; Higinio Garcia, Palma; Fonda, Rastelli , Ernesto Gutierrez; Salvini, Mendez, Bravo, Simes, Sued (or Gagliardo). 1950: Antonio Rodriguez; Higinio Garcia, Garcia Perez; Fonda, Rastelli, Ernesto Gutierrez; Boye, Mendez, Bravo, Simes, Sued. 1951: Antonio Rodriguez; Higinio Garcia, Garcia Perez; J.C.Giménez, Rastelli y Ernesto Gutierrez; Boye, Mendez, Blanco (or Ameal),Simes, Sued.
Do you know how their starting line-up would have looked like? This is what I can think of: -------------------- Cozzi ---------------- ???? ---- ???? ---------- ???? ---- N Rossi ---- ???? ???? ---- Di Stefano ---- Pedernera ---- ???? ---- ???? True on both counts. Scotland has never done well at a World Cup and the other teams in their group were stronger on paper anyway. Ferguson has gained such a huge reputation over he years though so one wonders if he could have made some smarter decisions at the time. Alan Hansen and Kenny Dalglish weren't in the team for some reason.
Yes, i know. Millonarios 1949-1953 "El Ballet Azul" --------------------------- Julio COZZI [ARG] ------------------------- ------- Francisco ZULUAGA [COL] ---- Raúl PINI [URU] ------------------ Julio César RAMÍREZ [PAR] - Néstor Raúl ROSSI [ARG] - Ismael SORIA [PER] ------------ Antonio BAEZ [ARG] -------- Adolfo PEDERNERA [ARG] ----- Hugo REYES [ARG] -- Alfredo DI STÉFANO [ARG] -- Reinaldo MOURÍN [ARG]
Thanks for that. People talk about them because of Di Stefano but there isn't enough information about them, especially in English.
FC Schalke 04 32-42 - Germany Titles: Bundesliga - Division 1: Champion: 1933/34, 1934/35, 1936/37, 1938/39, 1939/40, 1941/42. Vice-champion: 1932/33, 1937/38, 1940/41. Germany Cup - DFB Pokal: Winner: 1936/37. Runner up: 1934/35, 1935/36, 1940/41, 1941/42. 1934 Mellage Bornemann, Zajons Tibulski, Szepan, Valentin Kalwitzki, Gellesch, Pörtgen, Kuzorra, Urban 1935 Mellage Bornemann, Nattkemper Tibulski, Szepan, Valentin Kalwitzki, Gellesch, Pörtgen, Kuzorra, Urban 1937 Klodt Bornemann, Schweißfurt Gellesch, Tibulski, Berg Kalwitzki, Szepan, Pörtgen, Kuzorra, Urban 1939 Klodt Bornemann, Schweißfurt Gellesch, Tibulski, Berg Eppenhoff, Szepan, Kalwitzki, Kuzorra, Urban 1940 Klodt Bornemann, Hinz Füller, Tibulski, Burdenski Eppenhoff, Szepan, Kalwitzki, Kuzorra, Schuh 1942 Flotho Hinz, Schweißfurt Bornemann, Tibulski, Burdenski Kalwitzki, Szepan, Eppenhoff, Kuzorra, Urban The Best: ------------- Klodt ----------- --- Bornemann --- Schweißfurt Gellesch --- Tibulski --- Berg -- ----- Szepan ----- Kuzorra --- Kalwitzki --- Pörtgen --- Urban
They dominated the German League in that era but I think only Szepan was regularly capped. Schalke played a short-passing game based on possession whereas the national team played in a more direct manner and that's why the others weren't really looked at for call-ups. Kuzorra didn't win many caps himself.
Hafia Football Club 71-79 - Conakry, Guinea Titles: African Cup of Champions Clubs Champion: 1972, 1975, 1977 Runner-up: 1976, 1978 Guinea National Championship Champion: 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979 Best Formation: ------------ Abdoulaye "Banks" Keita Sylla --------------- -------- Ali Keita "Kolev"------ Cherif Souleymane -------- Kerfalla Bangoura --------------------------- -Djibril Diarra ----- Soumah Soriba "Edenté"---- Thiam Ousmane Tollo ----- Ali "Petit Sory" Keita ----------------------- Bengally Sylla --- Naby Laye "Papa" Camara -- Mamadou "N’jolea" Keita --- Subs: Goalkeeper: Morciré Sylla (1972-GK; 1975-DH; 1977-CB) Defense: Jacob Bangoura Ibrahim "Calvo" Fofana Saumah Mamadouba Midfield: Ismael "Eusebio" Sylla Attack: Maxime Camara Stars: Cherif Souleymane and Petit Sory
C.A. Paulistano 1925 - "Les Rois du Footbol" = Os Reis do Futebol - Brazil Trip To Europe: 15/03 - Paris - Paulistano 7 x 1 France (Goals: Friedenreich (03), Mário, Netinho, Araken e Filó) 22/03 - Paris - Paulistano 3 x 1 Stade Français (Goals: Freidenreich, Mário e Barthô) 28/03 - Sette - Paulistano 0 x 1 Sette 02/04 - Bordeaux - Paulistano 4 x 0 Bastidienne (Goals: Friedenreich (03) e Araken. 04/04 - Havre - Paulistano 2 x 1 Normandie (Goals: Friedenreich e Netinho) 10/04 - Strasbourg- Paulistano 2 x 1 Strasbourg (Gols: Friedenreich e Seixas) 11/04 - Bern - Paulistano 2 x 0 Auto Tour (Goals: Filó e Mário) 13/04 - Zurique - Paulistano 1 x 0 Switzerland (Goal: Mário) 19/04 - Rouen - Paulistano 3 x 2 Rouen (Goals: Mário (02) e Friedenreich) 28/04 - Lisbon - Paulistano 2 x 0 Portugal (Goals: Filó e Friedenreich) 10 games 9V - 0D - 1L Team: ------------ Nestor ------------ ---- Clodoaldo -- Barthô -------- Sergio ----- Nondas ----- Abatte ------- Mário ---- Araken ------- Filó ---- Friedenreich ---- Netinho Reserves: Goalkeeper: Kaltz Defense: Caetano Guarani Midfield: Juan Maurílio Attack: Seixas Junqueira [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1kXX1nfXTk&feature=player_embedded#"]YouTube- Brésil 7 x 2 France - 1925[/ame]
Lille OSC 45-55 - France French League/ Division 1: Champion (2): 1945/46, 1953/54. Vice-champion (4): 1947/48, 1948/49, 1949/50, 1950/51. French Cup: Champion(5): 1945/46, 1946/47, 1947/48, 1952/53, 1954/55. Runner-up (2): 1944/45, 1948/49. Stars: Jean Baratte, Bolek Tempowski, Marceau Somerlinck and Jean Vincent. Greatest teams 1945/46 Hatz Jadrejak - Prévost - Sommerlinck Bourbotte - Carré Baratte - Tempowski Vandooren - Bihel - Lechantre 1946/47 Germain Jadrejak - Prévost - Sommerlinck Dubreucq - Bigot Tempowski - Carré Vandooren - Baratte - Lechantre 1947/48 Wittkowski Jadrejak - Prévost - Sommerlinck Dubreucq - Bigot Tempowski - Carré Vandooren - Baratte - Lechantre 1952/53 Ruminski Pazur - Van der Hart - Vuye Bieganski - Sommerlinck Strappe - Vincent Jensen - Baratte - Lefèvre 1953/54 Ruminski Pazur - Van der Hart - Lemaître Bieganski - Sommerlinck Douis - Vincent Bourbotte - Strappe - Lefèvre 1954/55 Van Gool Pazur - Bieganski - Lemaître Clauws - Sommerlinck Douis - Vincent Bourbotte - Strappe - Lefèvre
no mention of the mighty west aukland fc? winners of not one but two world cups? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sir_Thomas_Lipton_Trophy
And yet a team from Scotland, Hibernian went to Barcelona and drew 4-4 with them, incidently Hibs were leading 4-2 at one point. Back in Edinburgh at Easter Road Hibs beat them 2-1 and sparked one of the worst player riots in Scottish football history. They may have been a great team but they didn't like it up them. Hibs had two blatant penalty claims denied as well.
its quite tough to get information on the squads of the columbian league during the rebel dimayor league of the 1950s. such a one off and bizaar period of football. huge amount of talent from round the world shipped off to south america to play outside of fifas jurisdiction. what a story, there should be far more material available on the net than there is.
really?, i think they are still widely known and definitely remembered by all football fans across Europe well, i mean, it's the France's 1st title ever in the World cup history after all
There's been a good discussion going on about LA MAQUINA in the beautiful game under 20 greatest clubs of all time.They were candidates to being not only the best team of all but the one who most revolutionized futbol.One of the great influences on La Maquina was Ernesto Hirshel who coached River in the late thirties early forties with Cesarini and Peucelle as players.(they were the River coaches 41-47)Hirshel went on to coach probably the greatest Uruguayan club team of all Penarol in the late forties who formed the basis for the EL MARACANAZO Celeste of 1950.
there was also a Chilean Ballet Azul, for la U de Chile who between 59-69 won 6 national championships, and had 9 starters on he 1962 WC team that finished 3d