Best Players at 1924 and 1928 Olympics

I think 1948 & 1952 were also interesting OGs with at least 3 top/mid class nations whom sent a team that could be labeled as their full NT.

 

1928 was when Andrade suffered his eye injury and was never the same. His career was extremly short even before that. Missed the two final games.

Nasazzi got sent off & got injured in the QF and missed the SF.

 

Here is an excerpt on Uruguay at the 1924 Olympics from the entry on José Andrade from Karl-Heinz Huba's 1960s tome "Welt Fussballgeschichte":

The Uruguayan play had plenty of invention, artistry and passion. Eleven ball jugglers, eleven individualists playing the way they wanted to, only bound together by an informal team concept. They got rid of the conventional idea of physical, tactically moulded football from the drawing board the way the British taught and practiced it.

In any case the German football expert F. Richter enthused about Andrade in his reports for the magazine “Fussball”: “A born-and-bred negro called Andrade represented the half backs with an exotic touch. But this man is able to do more than just attract attention to himself. A more purposeful, tactically complete game is hardly imaginable. His marvelous skill caused off-hand applause. The tall Andrade also catches one’s eye due to his favored heading."

"After the 7-0 vs. Yugoslavia a 3-0 vs. the United States, and a 5-1 vs. France followed. In that game vs. the French, Andrade wowed the audience with a 75-meter solo in which he dribbled past seven opponents, assisting the 4-0. Then came a 2-1 vs. Holland in the semi final. The final was played on 9 June 1924 at Stade Colombes in Paris against Switzerland. Via Andrade, football had become an attraction on the continent, 50,000 spectators were present and a box office of 130,000 Reichsmark were record numbers for football games outside of Britain."

As all other teams, Switzerland, too, had no chance against Andrade’s Uruguayans. From one of Richter’s reports: “At last Fässler has come through yet only the darned Andrade is of course holding him off. This unique Andrade took the feared Swiss playmaker and goalgetter Abegglen completely out of the game with his marking. Uruguay won 3-0 and thus ended the European hegemony in football."

Andrade was the first of the admired and famous ball artists from South America. The annalists noted that he was the first to perform a bicycle kick. His misfortune was that he was born 40 years too early. He lacked the means of modern communication and global commercialization of football to achieve the fame and fortune of his popular heirs. Today, his name at best is known in the archives and in Uruguay, where his nephew Victor Rodriguez Andrade, himself once a famous footballer, is making an effort to keep the name of his uncle alive.'

http://forums.bigsoccer.com/threads...scussion-thread.1765950/page-14#post-23835179

 

Raimundo Orsi was a big star for Argentina at the 1928 Olympics. His performance their caused Juventus to buy him.

 

Max Abegglen and Paul Fässler formed the swiss left side of the attack.
http://www.rsssf.com/tableso/ol1924f-det.html

 

From the reports of Mundo Deportivo and ABC (May 26 & 27, 1924)

Spain vs Italy.
http://www.rsssf.com/tableso/ol1924f-det.html (line-ups)

Italians started almost all their attack for its left side, which were more greedy and accurate in its passing. For the spaniards, Larraza had a awful game, causing an extra effort by Vallana and Pasarín, because the halfbacks can't covered his centrehalf. At the beginning of the 2nd half, Larraza was sent-off by foul on Magnozzi, then Samitier withdraw to Right Halfback and Gamborena swicht to Centrehalf, as a result, Spain improved its defensive game, but diminishing possibilities in its left side, especially because Carmelo also drop back from forward line.
Both attacking lines played in an imprecise way, Spain is dominating the game, but an italian advance produced a melée in the spanish area, ending in an own goal at 78' by the best player until then, Vallana (is not clear the situation, btw).
The better displays were in both defenses, in attack, italians had more coordinated approach, meanwhile Spain were uncoordinated but playing with Furia. For Spain, great performances by Zamora and Vallana, then good match by Gamborena and Chirri, in a lesser way also the other winger, also decent were Pasarín and Peña, Carmelo good until he got injured, Samitier did many fouls and Monjardín the poorest of the forwards. In the italian side, the best forward was Levratto, arguably the best italian was De Pra, also good matches by two fullbacks.

Source
http://hemeroteca.abc.es/nav/Navigate.exe/hemeroteca/madrid/abc/1924/05/27/013.html
http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1924/05/26/pagina-2/616351/pdf.html#

 

Spanish press quoting French and Italian press:
http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/edition.html?bd=28&bm=05&by=1924&edition=Barcelona

 

Mundo Deportivo writes about other matches (may 26 to 30, 1924)
http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1924/05/28/pagina-1/616356/pdf.html#

Uruguay vs Yugoslavia, 25/05/1924
The uruguayan play was brilliant, as a team truly wonderful. They mastering the dribbling art and their shooting are precise and powerful. Even though, they played with yugoslavians a sort of a cat and mouse game, but the losing side is not worthless, having a technique similar to czechs, but slower.
In the uruguayan side the most formidable is the forward line, being Urdinarán, Scarone and Petrone, really outstanding players. As regards to Andrade, the immeasurable black halfback, he's a phenomenon.
In the losing side, the best was the keeper If it wasn't by him, it would be a 1 in front of the 7 (two digits score).

Hungary vs Poland, 26/05/1924
Poland played great at defense, conceding only one goal in the 1st half. In the 2nd half there was only one team on the ground, Hungary, with a great match by their two inside forwards. One of the best was the right winger.

Holland vs Romania, 27/05/1924
The dutchs were clearly superior, romanians with a latin style had good qualities, very agile but unexperienced, meanwhile the winners shows its refined technique but slower. Very good match by De Natris and Pijl.

 

According the spanish press the favourites entering to the OG 1924 were Spain, Czechoslovakia, Hungary and Belgium.

PRELIMINARY ROUND
Czechoslovakia vs Turkey,
The lion is not fierce after all

USA vs Estonia,
North Americans, a more athletic than a footballing team. Estonia only average.

Hungary vs Poland,
Magyars mastering the short passing, but the forwards play static, they could be easily dominated for an agile and resolute team as Belgium or Spain.

 

More extracts from the Preliminary Round

MD reports that in the first game, Abegglen was the best swiss player and Lithuania the poorest side of all in the tournament.

Also that the yankees are great athletes, and that atribute determined its win over Estonia, whom played with similar style as Czechs but lacked finish. The best was the goalie Douglas.

In the match Czech vs Turkey, the better were Pleticha, Hojer bros. and Novak, for Turkey the goalie Nedim started bad but did many heroic saves at the end, also the halfbacks, Nihad, Ismet and Kadi, and the captain Bekir played well.

In the match Uruguay-Yugoslavia, starred Scarone, Urdinarán, Petrone, Andrade and the yugoslavian keeper.

In the game Hungary-Poland, the best polish was the Right Wing (esp. in the 1st half). For magyars, Orth played very good as halfback, Opata good as ever, Vogl bros. ?? good in defense and the most dangerous forwards were Hirzer and Eissenhofer.

 

FIRST ROUND

Sweden vs Belgium,
Big surprise, due to the older age of the belgians fullbacks whom couldn't resist the vigorous attack of the rivals. Swedes played a beautiful game, scientific, brave and delightful, they are an harmonious team with fast forwards whom dribbled and passed well, excelent is the left side, the inside right is a great player, the centerforward too. The halves line is a very good one, especially the centerhalf who stop the opposing attacks and played well at passing. The Right Half is a bit better than the Left Half. Both fullbacks are comparable to Arrate at his best ( a dominant spanish defender) and excelent the goalie.

Against this team, belgians only did two or three attacks, for the rest of the game it was a desperate defense.
For Mundo Deportivo, the best swedes were Kock, Rydell and Keller in the attack, Carlsson and Friberg in the halves line and also the defensive trio (fullbacks plus keeper). For the Red Devils, Bastin had a more active role than the other forwards, Fierens among the halfbacks had a more continous job, the rest were totally surpassed. The fullbacks composed a strong defense but they are too slow and were constantly overloaded. The goalie had an average and between bad match.


Hungary vs Egypt,
Some odds for this game was 20-1 for magyars. A tight match, hungarians dominated the whole match but egyptians scored in three counters.
The africans were faster than magyars. These as the czechs are in between a traditional scientific style and the new faster and resolute play.

Uruguay vs USA,
South Americans left a great impression again. Its performance could be comparable with the ones displayed for Birmingham and Newcastle when toured Spain, but not better than the uruguayans in the two games viewed, a perfect lesson of scientific and football art.


Czechoslovakia vs Switzerland,

FIRST MATCH
Both sides have tall and well-built players, but two swiss. Since the initial whistle, czechs control the game with good combinations but tiresome, then Kada scored by a penalty kick. The swiss started to play tougher rivaling the foul play by the czechs, then one czech is sent-off. Sooner, the swiss Inside Left, a great dribbler and brave player, surpass the fullbacks and equalise. Both keepers made great saves, especially the swiss. In the extra-time a swiss goal was nuled by offside.

Czechs are good but slow for the high amount of passes they did, given to swiss the chance to recover even "in extremis". The czech forward line is not so good at the center, the wingers are fast and excelent the inside forwards. The centerhalf is the best of the line, and the wing halves not so far from him. Good the fullbacks, especially the right one and very good the goalie.

In the swiss side, the Inside Left is a great player, the others weakening. Another great player is the Right Half, average the Left Half and the Centerhalf did some good with bad plays. Excellent both fullbacks and notable the keeper.

Also Mundo Deportivo said that Kada played not 100% fit, being insufficient against the swiss impetuosity and the czech FW line played discohesioned. For spanish press, the 1st match was bad, but in the last minutes becomes exciting. In the extra-time, czechs played practically with 9 men (Capek sent-off and Cerveny injured), and adopted a tactic with one fullback, with Kada a bit withdrawing and 5 forwards. For MD, the best czechs were Hojer, Kolenaty and Kada (not at his best form, btw) and for swiss, the best was Abegglen, then Schmiedlin, also Reymond and Ramseyer.

The PLAYOFF game was a tight and well played game. Czechs dominated but failed at shooting. In the swiss team, Mengotti was fundamental for the victory achieved remaining three minutes for the end.
After the two matches, the better czechs were Hojer bros., Kolenaty, Kada (esp. in the 2nd game) and Jelinek. Also both keepers.
For the swiss, Mengotti, Ramseyer, Fassler and Abegglen. Pulver had also good performances.


Holland vs Romania,
Romania is worthless, with a latin style of play and uncommon agility, meanwhile Holland plays a beautiful game, with a good technique that controlled the rival's speed.


France vs Latvia,
French side is only average with a couple of good players, Dubly and Nicolás,they had no problem to beat a very poor team.


Italy vs Luxembourg,
A poor display for both sides.


Ireland vs Bulgaria,
Ireland with the classic british style also with continental style moments. Bulgaria is a young team who learned of its frequent matches against central countries.

 

QUARTER FINAL, 1924

Uruguay vs France,
ABC said that in the 1st half France put a good fight due to its courage, even with the help of the referee allow them commit fouls and whistling 24 uruguayan offside in comparison to 3 french offside. ABC also said that Uruguay played its worst match in the 1st half.
At '5 the uruguayan centrehalf pass the ball to his forward line whom did a fine combination, resulting in a goal by Scarone. As usual Andrade is having an awesome game, for his side the french attack was nullified, he also withdrawn to defensive area when needed and goes forward when his teammates failed in create danger. After Cea missed a clear chance, France equalise thanks to a good crossing by the right winger to Nicolas. Then the ball is played mostly in french side, Andrade has been inmeasurable, he stops all and also dribbles 2 or 3 rivals easily. Before the end a fine combination from the uruguayan central trio results in an another goal by Scarone. The french forwards are playing badly, except Nicolas, a great player.
In the 2nd half the Uruguay dominated the game and Petrone scores the third after a great goal dribbling past many rivals.
The 4th goal happened after the play of the day, Andrade takes the ball, dribbles past french halves and fullbacks and inside the french field makes a "killer pass" to Petrone who scores. Romano scores the 5th from a through ball by his halves line.
http://hemeroteca.abc.es/nav/Navigate.exe/hemeroteca/madrid/abc/1924/06/05/018.html

MD Reports
Since the beggining Uruguay stablished its superiority, scoring in the first minutes by a personal play of Scarone, but at 15' France equalise, this partial result encourages the uruguayans and scores the second after a beautiful series of passes, then take its foot off the accelerator allowing to France attacks more often, but Dubly is playing very badly, the uruguayan halfbacks stopped the attacks placed defensively.
In the second half, Uruguay is resolute to secure the win putting the best exhibition of the tournament. Petrone in a personal play scored the third with a formidable shot after dribbling past players from the half line.
Then Uruguay controlled the game, at some moment, they made 12 passes without interventions by french players. Also combinations for all five uruguayan forwards, one after the other, two times consecutively, from right to left and viceversa.
Close to the final, Andrade, the formidable black player dribbles past every french player who challenge him and makes and right assist to Petrone for the 4th goal. In that play Andrade ocuppied the Inside Right role, switching with Scarone whom withdrawn to Wing Half.
Finally Romano scored the 5th.
The better french was Nicolas, then Domergue and Bonnardel. Chayrigues was claimed by the crowd but for the spanish press played average only.
For Uruguay the whole team played excellent. They have a good defensive trio, an excellent halfback line and absolute formidable forward line. The better ones, Scarone, Andrade, Petrone and Romano. Uruguayans are good in dribbling, passing, playing with the foot or the head, dangerous solists even when marked by three or four rivals and able to improvising awesome plays.
http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1924/06/02/pagina-2/616365/pdf.html#


Sweden vs Egypt,
About the match v Belgium, the swedish player Rydell is rated as brilliant as Scarone but more effective. Even considering the the result, the match was equilibrated. The great guilty was the egyptian keeper. Of all teams, the african was the faster, but not the "kick and rush" style, due to the fine combinations of the forwards but lacked precision for the fast moves.
The better africans were the wingers, the centreforward, the half Henein and defender Salem.
Sweden played as a solid team, shined the goalie Lindberg, Kock, the half Kamfeld and Rydell.
http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1924/06/10/pagina-2/616379/pdf.html#&mode=fullScreen


Italy vs Switzerland,
ABC report
Swiss were tired from its games vs Czechs but still dominated the match vs Italy, the game had overall a poor technical displays. The swiss side is not a big thing, just a good defender, an excellent halfback and a quite respectable goalie, the rest were unsteady, graceless and failed in combinations.
"Italians is just foul play, it's amazing that Spain loss against them, Spain is good enough than any of representatives sides, exception of Uruguay and Sweden".
After the SF draw is expected an Uruguay-Sweden match at the final, both having fast and dangerous forwards, good passers and shooters. From halves to backline, ABC rated higher to swedes.
http://hemeroteca.abc.es/nav/Navigate.exe/hemeroteca/madrid/abc/1924/06/06/021.html

MD report
It was a tight match decided by a goal claimed as an offside for italians. Azurris forwards were the best line of all, very fast but lacked of finishing. As opposition, swiss defenders played very solid.
The first goal came due to an overconfident of Rosetta who let the ball fall into the area, but the crossing with too curling allows to Sturzenegger scoring. The italian goal came thanks to a good assist by Conti, after dribbled two defenders, that Dellavalle put into the net.
Then the match turned tougher with the swiss at the offensive leading by Abegglen, until they scored after Caligaris lost the ball in defense.
For swiss, Abegglen was the MotM, also played good Schmiedlin, Reymond, Ramseyer, Fässler and Pulver.
For italians, Conti had a notable game and then Levratto, Burlando, Baloncieri, Rosetta and DePra.
http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1924/06/06/pagina-1/616372/pdf.html#


Holland vs Ireland,
MD report.
The match was decided in extra-time, the dutch team has a much better technique than irish but slower, in contrary the irish faster but poor in technical skills.
Holland missed Hurgronje and Pilj, two of its better forwards. The first goal was by a personal play of Formenoy dribbling the irish defense before scoring. Him and TerBeck missed some chances, especially the first one who played very individualist. The equaliser comes from a corner kick scored by Shent??
The irish dominated the game in the last minutes but didn't scored. In the extra time, Formenoy scored the winner.
The better dutch were the goalie and Denis. In the opposing side, all irish played well, especially Farrell, MacCarthy and Kerr.
http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1924/06/06/pagina-2/616373/pdf.html#&mode=fullScreen

 

Pre-OG'24 odds by bookmakers (17/5/1924):
Czechoslovakia & Hungary 2:1
Belgium & Holland 3:1
Spain 4:1
Ireland, Uruguay & Sweden 7:1
Switzerland, France & Italy 10:1
Yugoeslavia & USA 15:1
Estonia, Turkey, Lithuania, Poland, Luxembourg, Egypt, Romania, Bulgaria & Portugal ?? 23:1
http://hemeroteca.abc.es/nav/Navigate.exe/hemeroteca/madrid/abc/1924/05/17/026.html

 

SEMIFINALS, Olympic Games 1924
http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1924/06/10/pagina-2/616379/pdf.html#

Uruguay vs Netherlands,
ABC Report
It was a tight match, Holland scored the first at 30'. The second half was a total domination by Uruguay scoring two goals, the latter by penalty.
An heroic defending by dutch, especially Anolvade??? and the right back. Allowing the uruguayans shooting only deeper from the box area, that way uruguayans didn't caused too much danger. ABC also praised the dutch marking as a "spanish type" that could caused a lot of trouble in an imaginary match against Uruguay.

MD Report
A surprising game, not for the result itself, but for the tenacious opposition by Holland, in a tournament full of surprises.
Uruguay underperformed in this match, their beautiful combinations were controlled for the tight marking of the dutch halves line "matando en flor sus avances" (destroying the attacks when the flowers are in their blossom), then south americans tried with single attemps, but the dutch overwhelming boost, allow the oranges score the opener, after a good run by De Natris who Pijl netted into goal.
In the second half, Holland looks tired for the physical exertion and the game becomes a one-sided match despite uruguayans were imprecise at times. The forward played as they used to, despite the bad treatment by dutches in the first half. The equalise comes after Van der Meulen controlling badly a cross by Urdinarán, allowing Cea scoring the tie (in another day said it was a Petrone's goal after a wonderful play by Scarone that the goalie saved first in a great action)
The uruguayan forwards misses some chances, even another goal was legally disallowed to Cea. Resting 12' minutes another melée in the dutch area ended in a ball "going to" a defender's hand (another version tells, the ball hit many ankles and hands before the whistle), then Scarone scored the PK.
The last minutes saw many shots for the uruguayans (the central trio, the halfbacks, even Nassazi shot once!!)
One of the worst refereing allowing many fouls and shirt-tuggins to finally whistle a dubious penalty.

The better uruguayans were Andrade, great as ever (similar qualities to Samitier when playing halfback), Nasazzi, Vidal and the whole forward line, especially Scarone (despite the FWs were average at 1st half).
Holland did a great match, Van der Meulen was the heroe with many amazing saves, Denis a great defender, also good Van Linge and Lefevbre, in the FW line, Pijl and the wingers, especially De Natris.
ht.tp://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1924/06/09/pagina-1/616376/pdf.html#


Sweden vs Switzerland,
ABC report
Another tight match, Swiss scored the opener at 15', But 5' later the swedes equalised. But Swiss scored the winner at 75'. The final result is considered as a surprise.

MD report
The favourites were defeated, swedes played beautiful football, meanwhile swiss looked uncohesive, but they're dangerous with its indivuals attempts, especially by Abegglen, a great player. He scores the first goal after a melée in the area, then swedes dominates and scored one goal, but was nulled for a swedish hand, Pulver is having a lot of action.
The swiss tried at counter, especially for the right side, but swedes keeper and defender are playing good. The tie comes from a free-kick taked by Kock, ending the first half with Sweden attacking more often.
The second half is more equilibrated since Swiss played much better, but its forwards are being imprecise. In an advance Dietrich pass to Abegglen, whom shooting a thunderball scoring the winner.
The last minutes were played in swiss side of the pitch, but they are doing a great defensive job.
Could be said it was a poor match for Sweden (excesive passing and lacking shooting) and the best game by Switzerland (more determinated and improving advancing each round), but the result don't admit discussion. Swiss played faster than the apparently fast swedish team (definitively faster than the slow Belgium team)
The best swiss were Abegglen (he value for a complete forward-line), Ramseyer also greatly, and very good Pulver and Oberhauser. Meanwhile Pache and Pollitz were the lowest performers (not the same as they used to being). Schmiedlin (average w/Czechs, better w/Italy) improve this game playing a good match, the same with Reymond, Ehrebolger and Dietrich.
For Sweden, Kock was again the best swede (also responsible for the corner and free kicks), Brommeron also played good. The central trio played badly (also Dahl who flied from Stockholm the day before). The keeper Lindberg played good, the same Carlsson and Alfredsson, the winghalves poorly in the defensive phase but better supporting the attack. Hillen, the Left Fullback was the lowest swede player.
http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1924/06/06/pagina-1/616372/pdf.html#

 

3RD PLACE, Olympic Games 1924

Sweden vs Netherlands,
First Match
With 40,000 spectators, the game ended in a tie, even after extra-time.
In the first attack by Sweden, van der Meulen saves to Holland. Both sided play slow with few dangerous situations, the swedish right winger is being the most incisive forward (better than Bromesson the previous match). Sweden makes good combinations, meanwhile Netherlands play tenaciously, only the wingers are playing good and the other forwards badly. At 43' Kaufelt scored the first when van der Meulen left the ball after a cross.
In the second half, Sweden attacks more often, but their forwards are imprecises and the dutch defenders are playing good.
Lefevre switch to forward line and Holland attack got new dynamism. Resting 12' Lefevre scores the equalizer. In the extratime, the swedish left side is showing more dangerous.
Sweden is close to the victory, but Rydell shot to the crossbar in the last minutes. A second match is needed and scheduled 1 day after.
Denis and Verweij had a lot of work, also Van der Meulen player much better after his mistake in the swedish goal. For Netherlands, Denis was the better defender, Lefevre the best among halfbacks (also playing upfront) and Snouck Hurgronje fine too, the subs for van Linge, Pijl and De Natris played worst than the starters.
For Sweden, average the defense, good Carlsson and Lundberg?, good the forwards but failed at shooting, better the wingers, in the central trio, only Rydell, Dahl the poorest and Lundberg? only average.
http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1924/06/09/pagina-1/616376/pdf.html#
http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1924/06/14/pagina-2/616387/pdf.html#

Replay
The match was played before the main event. At 3pm the stadium looks impressive.
The game has similar characteristics as the first match, but swedes are more accurate. Sweden has been playing good with beautiful combinations almost like uruguayans.
They played very fast and had it not been for Van der Meulen, it would be a trashing result, the swedish halves line was key for the final result cutting the opposing attacks and supporting greatly their attacking line.
http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1924/06/10/pagina-2/616379/pdf.html#

 

FINAL GAME, Olympic Games 1924

Uruguay vs Switzerland,
ABC report
With an attendance of 60,000 people and closing the doors to many thousand people outside, Uruguay gained the gold medal in the Olympics.
Swiss started with determination but crashed against the strong uruguayan side. At 7' Petrone scored the first, most of the time swiss played defensively due to uruguayan superiority.
At 65' Uruguay scored the second by Cea, and the third goal by Romano in the last minutes. The match was played "unscientifically" and decided by individual plays.
Also said that Switzerland was a surprising finalist and Uruguay have had a better fight against some 1920 teams as the Danish (team well assembled with great technique and courage), the very fast Belgium, the strong and tenacious Sweden, the same as Spain.
http://hemeroteca.abc.es/nav/Navigate.exe/hemeroteca/madrid/abc/1924/06/13/019.html

MD report
Uruguay olympic champion! Against the strenght and science of the southamerican side, crashed many teams supposedly better assembled, who would have thought three months ago that that unknow team could have so notable qualities, started with its undefeated tour by Spain.
http://www.xtratime.org/forum/showpost.php?p=16052985&postcount=33
10 games and 10 wins in the spanish tour, and then 5 games and 5 victories in the Olympics with a clear win in the final, certainly demonstrated the uruguayan value.

In the title match, the uruguayan forwards make their beautiful combinations since the beggining of the game, giving a lot of work to Pulver. At 7' Petrone scored thanks to a Scarone's assist.
The uruguayan attacks succeed one another but Ramseyer shows his notable qualities as defender. From time to time, the clearences allow to swiss approach to uruguayan area, but the halves line, especially Andrade (as usual) cut the attacks.
Tireless Petrone, shows his great skills leading the forward line, even a 2nd goal was disallowed to him.
In the second half, swiss attacks more often, but uruguayan defenders are confident and own the opposing forwards.
The second goal comes after a powerful strike by Petrone that Pulver can't handle, then Cea scored a header.
At 80' Romano scored another header from a corner kick.
http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1924/06/10/pagina-1/616378/pdf.html#

Foreign press quoted

http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1924/06/12/pagina-1/616382/pdf.html#

 

According the odds, in the final placing were:
Champion - 4th tier nation
Runner up - 5th tier nation
Third place - 4th tier nation
Fourth place - 2nd tier nation
Fifth place - 5th tier nation.

So, only Netherlands performed according the expectations.

 

A group formed by ABC, the most important Goteborg's newspaper and La Epoca, chosed their dream team after the semifinal matches (7/6/24).

Best XI - OG'1924:
-------------------------------------- Zamora (Spa)
------------------- Vallana (Spa) --------------------- Salem (Egy)
------- Kolenaty (Cze) ----------- Kada (Cze) --------------------- Andrade (Uru)
Piera (Spa) ----- Scarone (Uru) ----- Petrone (Uru) ----- Abegglen (Swi) ----- Kock (Swe)

The better player was Andrade, "what he does nobody can do, each ball that goes for his side is owned for him and don't lose it even when fall to the ground, with long strides goes right to his target, even when charged, tackled or marked, then dribbles past three or four rivals"
http://hemeroteca.abc.es/nav/Navigate.exe/hemeroteca/madrid/abc/1924/06/10/022.html

Note: Some spanish/czechs players it seems were chosed because no other players performed better than the known about them, to dethrone them from the Olympus.


Also Mundo Deportivo write about the goalkeepers.
"The Paris journos agree that Zamora is the best in the world. After him are Lindberg and Pulver, just like van der Meulen, Mazali and De Pra in a remote distance"
http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1924/06/25/pagina-1/616406/pdf.html#

 

rsssf shows Andrade playing the final two games, where did you get that information?

 

I see once the Ideal XI of the 1920 Olympics in IFFHS.
But in this last format is missing. Someone had saved that info?

EDIT: I found this link
http://www.linguasport.com/futbol/internacional/olimpiadas/1920_ANTWERPEN.htm

Ideal XI - OG 1920
Zamora - Hojer, Verbeeck - Kada, Fierens, Sesúmaga - Coppée, Janda, Carlsson, Groosjohan, Vanik
Best player: Zamora
(4 czechs, 3 belgians, 2 spanish, 1 dutch & 1 swede)

 

Thanks to @Dearman for the advice of this nice video about the OG 1924 final game.


Nasazzi has a white cap, Andrade, "the black marvel" on the right, also Scarone, Romano (black cap), X.Abegglen, Ramseyer, among others.

 

Amazing find! Can't believe the quality.

 

So I started going over the newspaper reports again.... honestly I have no idea. You are right that he played.


I found this All Star XI for the 1928 Olympics in the newspaper Sporttagblatt:

 

I want to post it in the History of Táctics thread, because of the Pyramid.

What are your impressions: táctics, players, roles, skills.