Similar to the thread of the 2000s. a) I listed 6 NTs that I'm guessing are fixed in the top-10. b) I listed in the Poll 10 candidates for the remaining 4 spots to make the top-10. Vote for 4 NTs or mention another team that isn't listed.
First Tier NTs - 1950s Argentina Brazil England Hungary Uruguay West Germany Listed alphabetically. The tiers is only for the purpose of the thread. The second tier is for the candidates. If you think that some 1st tier NT doesn't belong to Top-10, your reasons will be welcome.
First Tier NTs achievements ARGENTINA - (CA55 win, CA56 final, CA57 win, CA59 win) BRAZIL --- (WC50 fin, CA53 fin, WC54 QF, CA56 SF, CA57 fin, WC58 win, CA59 fin) ENGLAND -- (WC50 QF, WC54 QF, BC x9) HUNGARY -- (5thGC final, OG52 win, WC54 final, 6thGC final) URUGUAY -- (WC50 win, CA53 SF, WC54 SF, CA55 SF, CA56 win, CA57 SF) W.GERMANY - (OG52 SF, WC54 win, WC58 SF) Second Tier NTs achievements AUSTRIA --- (5thGC SF, WC54 SF, 6thGC SF) CZECHOSLOVAKIA - (5thGC SF, 6thGC win) FRANCE ---- (WC58 SF) ITALY ---- (WC50 QF, 5thGC win) PARAGUAY - (CA53 win, CA59 SF) SCOTLAND -- (BC x4) SPAIN ---- (WC50 SF) SWEDEN -- (WC50 SF, OG52 SF, WC58 final) U.S.S.R. --- (OG56 win, WC58 QF) YUGOSLAVIA -- (WC50 QF, OG52 final, WC54 QF, OG56 final, WC58 QF, 6thGC SF) WC= world cup; CA= copa américa; GC= Gerö Cup; OG= olympics games, BC= british home championship win= winner; final= runner up; SF= 3rd and 4th place; QF= quarterfinalist at WC; BC only 1st places (shared)
Top 10 NTs in the 1950s by ELO average Argentina ----- 2036 Hungary ------- 2015 Brazil ---------- 1996 England ------- 1915 W.Germany -- 1874 Yugoslavia ---- 1856 Uruguay ------- 1852 Austria -------- 1829 Italy ----------- 1828 Spain ---------- 1808 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Football_Elo_Ratings#Averages_by_decade (checked 16/10/2016)
First tier NTs Head-to-Head records against: (W-D-L) Argentina vs first tier: 10-7-7 vs second tier: 11-1-3 Brazil vs first tier: 9-5-9 vs second tier: 19-6-4 England vs first tier: 4-2-6 vs second tier: 12-12-7 Hungary vs first tier: 6-0-2 vs second tier: 29-11-7 Uruguay vs first tier: 9-4-13 vs second tier: 8-5-5 W.Germany vs first tier: 3-0-4 vs second tier: 8-7-12 Games defined by PK shoot-out are considered as draw. http://www.11v11.com/internationals/
Second tier NTs Head-to-Head records against: (W-D-L) Austria vs first tier: 2-6-12 vs second tier: 9-6-12 Czechoslovakia vs first tier: 4-2-10 vs second tier: 5-2-5 France vs first tier: 4-2-4 vs second tier: 11-5-10 Italy vs first tier: 4-3-4 vs second tier: 6-6-7 Paraguay vs first tier: 7-9-20 vs second tier: 1-2-2 Scotland vs first tier: 3-3-10 vs second tier: 5-3-8 Spain vs first tier: 1-3-5 vs second tier: 2-4-4 Sweden vs first tier: 3-4-9 vs second tier: 8-5-6 U.S.S.R. vs first tier: 7-5-3 vs second tier: 7-2-3 YUGOSLAVIA vs first tier: 3-5-10 vs second tier: 10-9-7 Games defined by PK shoot-out are considered as draw.
Again (as in the 2000s thread): Going strictly by the record...... ......giving 3 points for a championship win, 2 points for a finalist and 1 point for a semi final appearance..... ......one gets a top 10 of: 1 - Brazil 5 points (WC 1950 finalist, won 1958 WC) = 1 title won 2 - W. Germany 5 points (won 1954 WC, 1958 WC semi finalist, 1952 Olympic semi finalist) = 1 title won 3 - Hungary 5 points (1954 WC finalist, won Olympics 1952) = 1 title won 4 - Uruguay 4 points (won 1950 WC, 1954 WC semi finalist) = 1 title won 5 - Sweden 4 points (1950 WC semi finalist, 1950 WC finalist, 1952 Olympics semi finalist) = 0 titles won 6 - Yugoslavia 4 points (952 Olympics finalist, 1956 Olympic finalist) = 0 titles won 7 - USSR 3 points (won 1956 Olympics) = 1 title won 8 - France 1 points (1958 WC semi finalist) = 0 titles won 9 - Austria 1 point (1954 WC semi finalist) = 0 titles won 10 - Spain 1 point (1950 WC semi finalist) = 0 titles won The only tournaments worth considering are the WC and the Olympics (of the 1950s). The Gero Cup, British Home are irrelevant= minor and too local in nature. The Copa America did not start until 1975. The old South American Championship (1916-67) was an irregular affair.
I think that CAs in the 50s were very competitive at least with 5/6 strong NTs. I also rate the Gerö Cup (Hun, Cze, Yug, Aus, Ita, Swi) and BH (4 full NT) as harder competition than Olympics with only 3 good NTs.
In the 1950s, I assume your top-10 is 1) Brazil 2) W.Germany 3) Hungary 4) Uruguay 5) Sweden 6) Yugoslavia 7) USSR 8) France 9) Austria 10) Spain Over the likes of Argentina, England, Czechoslovakia, Italy, Paraguay and Scotland
I started with numbers and hard facts. Now, to better complement I'll try to draw a big picture of the main teams. Why they're remembered, their style of football, peak years, main star players, etc. I hope you'll find interesting topics for debate.
HUNGARY Aranycsapat (Golden Team) or The Magycal Magyars was the most impressive NT of the decade, a star studded team with all time greats such as Puskas, Kocsis, Czibor, Bozsik, Hidegkuti and Grosics. They also had advanced tactics for the era, mainly the creation of the deep lying-CF role, not only a “false-9” but an attacking midfielder with the #9 shirt and the attacking line with a fluid and constant movement as a predecessor of Total Football. Hungary had the world record of unbeaten series with an impressive run of 30 matches between 1950-54, ended in the WC final. Straight followed by another run of 18 unbeaten series between 1954-56. In the process they won the Olympic Gold and the the Gerö Cup (predecessor of the EC), also beating the european top guns, remaining the expectation to facing South American top sides, which happened at WC. They took part in many of the most important matches of the decade as the “Match of the Century” vs England, the “Battle of Bern” vs Brazil, another “Match of the Century” vs Uruguay and the “Miracle of Bern” vs W.Germany. To the aforementioned ATG core of players, Hungary add other stars such as Déak, Szusza, Sándor, Tichy, Palotás, Buzansky, Lorant, Lantos. Also “expatriated” such as Kubala and Nyers. The Golden Team remained as the NT’s highest ELO ever until 2014.
ARGENTINA Arguably the SA greatest NT of the decade, after the international exile in the first half of the 1950s, they won 3 out of 5 Copas America, extending the SA dominance of the previous decade. They also beat some european forces as England, Italy or Spain before the WC’58 disaster. All in all, they have the second best Head-to-Head record. In this era they changed the old 2-3-5 system to the WM then leave out at the end of the decade. In the absence of NT continuing presence after the end of their golden generation and the exodus of their most important players, Argentina still gave important clubs in this decade such as "La maquinita" (2nd machine) of River Plate and the Independiente "Red Devils" whom have successul tours around the world. The peak moments were the demolition of Brazil and Uruguay at CA'57 with a team called "Los Carasucias", the meetings with England and the CA championship over the current World Champion (Brazil with Pele, Garrincha, Didi and co.) Among the All time greats, they have Labruna, Lostau, Méndez, Rossi, Carrizo, Sivori and Corbatta. Also, other stars as Dellacha, Grillo, Maschio, Angelillo and Mouriño. Also expatriated such as Di Stefano, Rial and Lojacono.
BRAZIL The leading NT at the beggining at the end of the decade, with two of their stronger teams ever: WC 1950 and WC 1958. The generation in between had a great talent too and played the usual “Jogo bonito” style. They transitioned from a Diagonal to WM and finally the 4-2-4, first and last ones were innovation systems created by them. When entering a big tournament, they reached the final stage at 5/7 times. Brazil has the 3rd best HtH record vs top sides in the 1950s. The most notable matches were vs Sweden, Spain and Uruguay at WC’50, the battle of Bern at WC’54 and WC’58 matches (USSR, France & Sweden). Among the All time greats: Zizinho, Ademir, Jair, Bauer, Julinho, Didí, D.Santos, N.Santos, Garrincha, and younger Pelé. Also stars such as: Baltazar, Canhoteiro, Quarentinha, Zito, Bellini, Zagalo, Evaristo.
ENGLAND After the retirement of some iconic stars of the late 1940s, the NT goes to the great scenario at WC 1950 as favourite but instead having a great fiasco followed to another big strike at the hands of Magycal Magyars. After that, a great generation comes “The Busby Babes” but the tragedy didn’t allowed to show worldwide. Anymore the big gun, they were still a top side, being the powerhouse at UK and having some fine moments beating very good sides in Argentina and Brazil (Sir Stanley owning N.Santos at 1956), beating West Germany as current champion at 1954 and thrashing USSR and France at late 1950s. Among the All Time Greats: Mathews, Finney, Wright, Edwards, Haynes. Also stars such as: Mortensen, Robson, Taylor, Byrne, Milburn, Lofthouse.
URUGUAY Until the “Match of The Century” Uruguay was unbeaten at WC and also facing any European side. One of the last teams to adopt the WM formation at mid 50s, they combined well a beautiful football with the Garra Charrúa. Their most glorious match was the Maracanazo at WC’50 but overall excellent performances at World Cup (vs Hungary, England, Scotland) Among the All Time Greats: Varela, W.Gómez, Schiaffino, R.Andrade, Ghiggia, Santamaría. Also stars such as: Máspoli, Ambrois, Míguez, Abaddie, Sasía, W.Martínez.
WEST GERMANY An unknown force until the WC 1954, after the first round, they made an impressive run to the title, culminating in the amazing “Miracle of Bern” match. Germans also played a solid WC at 1958 beating a good Yugoslavian team for the second time at QF. Another good moment was the thrashing of a very good austrian side at WC’54. Among the All Time Greats: F.Walter, Rahn, Szymaniak, Seeler. Also stars such as: Morlock, Schäffer, Eckel, Trautmann, Posipal, Erhardt.
Initially, I don't have the idea to list the best players or the best team, but if needed to make a better picture, it will be welcome any input. My thought is that in the 1950s Hungary, Brazil and Argentina are the clearest top countries, and even more being part of the better 10 NTs, no matter the position. Regarding the other "pre first tier" NTs, I think the gap between them and the "second tier" is narrow than respect the top three.
I'd also mention centre forward Ottmar Walter, Fritz's brother: he didn't have a great National Team career but at club level was (and still is) Kaiserslautern's top goalscorer in their glory years. And he did score 4 goals in the 1954 World Cup. Very good thread, by the way.
Now, let's check the 2nd tier countries. Austria had in the 1950s a second version of the Wunderteam. At that time, there was only the World Cup as major tournament and they qualified both editions they competed. Austria was the first team to beat Scotland at home in 1950. Also finished just two points behind Hungary in the Gerö Cup (1948-53), being the last NT who beat them before the born of Magycal Magyars. In the WC 1954, austrian NT reached its best performance finished at third place. Among the All-Time Greats, they had: Ernst Ocwirk, Ernst Happel & Gerald Hanappi. Also other great players in Walter Zeman, Karl Koller, Theodor Wagner, Erich Hof, Erich Probst, Alfred Körner, Robert Dienst, Ernst Stojaspal, Hans Buzek, Karl Decker, Karl Stotz, & Ernst Melchior.
Czechoslovakia had a decline after the war and had to wait to a new generation at the end of the decade to get world status again after win the last edition of the Gerö Cup. In the previous edition they were second behind Hungary and ahead of top sides such as Italy, Austria and Yugoslavia (in the last edition). The finest moment came at WC 1958, when Argentina was trashed 6-1 by Czechs. Another fine moment was when beaten Brazil at home in 1956. Czechs had a truly All-Time Great in Josef Masopust, maybe could be considered Kubala too. Other very good players in this decade were: Ladislav Novák, Ján Popluhár, Svatopluk Pluskal. Viliam Schrojf. Theodor Reimann, Jiří Hledík, Tomáš Pospíchal, Titus Buberník, Anton Moravčík, Jiří Trnka
France had in the 1950s its first Golden Generation who starred in the WC 1958, a very complete team who competed with Brazil as the best team in the tournament, but having a demolishing attacking line who recorded one of the higher gpg ratio ever. Before the third place in Sweden, "les Bleus" had the honor to beat West Germany as recent world champion, also were unlucky to not being the first foreign side to defeat England at home at 1951. Is curious the rivalry France had against Yugoslavia at WCs (eliminated by balcans in the WCQ 1950, also beaten at group phase in the WCs 54 & 58). Among the All-Time Greats, they had: Raymond Kopa & Just Fontaine. Some other stars in the 1950s were: Jean Baratte, Roger Marche, Robert Jonquet, Armand Penverne, Roger Piantoni, Jean-Jacques Marcel, Jean Vincent, Raymond Kaelbel & Maryan Wisnieski.
Italy since they gained worldclass status, this decade was the only one they were outside the top NT level, clearly affected by the Superga air disaster, losing more than half of the initial line-up just months before the World Cup 1950. Being eliminated at first round at WCs 50 & 54, they failed to qualified to next WC for only time. They also failed to make impress in the Gerö Cup, even when the Serie-A was one the stronger leagues in the 1950s. Even then, the azurris were able to beat top sides such as Brazil, Argentina, W.Germany & France this decade. The main italian players in the 1950s were: Giampiero Boniperti, Sergio Cervato, Egisto Pandolfini, Ardico Magnini, Armando Segato, Carlo Annovazzi, Riccardo Carapellese, Lorenzo Buffon, Miguel Montuori, Benito Lorenzi, Omero Tognon, Amedeo Amadei.
Paraguay had its first great era in the 1950s, with a great conquests in the Copa America 1953, this achievement is even more impressive, since Paraguay only repeat 5 players from the previous vice-champion roster, CA 1949 which is repeated the playoff between Brazil and Paraguay, just that in 1953 Paraguay was able to beat Brazil two times in a row. After the CA 1949 and the WC 1950, many of the paraguayan stars were signed by El Dorado, many of them being part of Boca Jrs from Cali, a paraguayan based team that was the main competition of the mighty Millonarios. The other great feat was the qualifying at WC 1958 leaving out double champion Uruguay for the first time. This time the roster was an entirely new team in relation to the CA champion side. In the WC, they were drawn in a very contested group with France, Yugoslavia and Scotland, even then they were able to score 9 goals in three matches, missing the KO stage by only one point. The main paraguayan players in this decade were: Eulogio Martínez & Heriberto Herrera (both also spanish capped), Adolfo Riquelme, Sinforiano García (a legend in Brazil) those two arguably the best SA keepers at mid 50s, Alberto González, Manuel Gavilán, Victoriano Leguizamón, Ángel Berni (topscorer in Argentina), Atilio López, Francisco Solano Patiño, Dionisio Arce, Alejandrino Genés, Juan Bautista Agüero, Juan Ángel Romero (considered the best left foot in La Liga behind Puskas).
The 1950s saw Scotland entering at World Cup for the first time, after being runner-up in the Home Championship (two places were awarded by FIFA), the same occured for WC 1950, but Scots declined the offer that time. For the 1958 WCQ, Scotland amazingly eliminated Di Stefano's Spain. Another thing to remember is Scotland winning 4 times the British Home Championship. Some notable players in the 1950s: Bobby Evans, George Young, Eric Caldow, Lawrie Reilly, Bobby Collins, Billy Steel, Willie Ormond, Gordon Smith, Bobby Johnstone, Ronnie Simpson, Dave Mackay, Billy Liddell
Spain had in Brazil 1950 its best WC performance, until 2010, reaching the 4th place. After that, most people thought that "Furia Roja" will be present for WC 1954, but failed to qualified against Turkey, after an extra game ended 2-2, which caused that qualification will be decided in a drawing of lots. There's also the story of a fake FIFA telegram preventing Spain to lineup Kubala in the rematch. For the WCQ 1958, even Spain scored most goals in its group, they failed to qualify by one point behind Scotland. That was an shocking elimination, since the team was based in the Di Stefano's Real Madrid and Kubala's Barcelona. Spain had in the 1950s some All Time Greats in dual internationals: Alfredo di Stefano and Ladislao Kubala, also spanish Francisco Gento and Luis Suárez. Other great footballers were: Antonio Ramallets, Agustín Gaínza, Jesús Garay, Joan Segarra, Antonio Puchades, Estanislao Basora, Ferran Olivella, Enrique Collar, Gonzalvo III and Luis Molowny. Also the argentinian-born Héctor Rial.