Match Day one: Against Italy, Sweden has confidence as the Swedish FA allows its professional players to rejoin our national team(Sweden beat Italy 3-2 with their amateur players at the real WC Finals). For this game, Italy will have players from Torino. We also add with 5 additional professional players, but we do have team chemistry as the lineup was based upon Sweden's Gold Medal winning team at the 1948 Olympic Games. Only Skoglund and Sune Andersson were not on the Olympic team. Both were our amateurs! Skoglund is our upcoming star. He is being eyed by big-time Serie A clubs(in real life, he would join Inter Milan after the WC Finals and spent 9 seasons there). The famous "Gre-No-Li" in their prime lined up with Gunnar Nordahk's two brothers. Bertil Nordahl came from Atalanta in Serie A and Knut is looking for a move to Italy(in real life, he also joined AS Roma after the WC Finals). Henry Carlsson who just won La Liga with Atletico Madrid under coach Helenio Herrera is a star in Spain(in real life, Atletico Madrid was the powerhouse in early 1950's and Carlsson was a key player). Erik Nilsson is our captain(he is on my al-time greatest Sweden team).
Argentina confirms lineup for its debut match The few doubts ended resolved. Argentina presents its classic 2-3-2-3 with Di Stéfano back in the centre-forward position as 2 and a half years ago he played in the Campeonato Sudamericano in Ecuador, this time already transformed in a great South American figure and having scored 38 goals in 45 matches since he arrived in Colombia. Behind him and as then "El Charro" Moreno will again be his attacking partner. For many the best player of all-time has already begun a slight decline, but his creativity and polyfunctionality remain intact and, as he has just shown in Chile and with Boca Juniors this last couple of years, is able to create authentic pieces of art on the field. Particularly motivated to crown his huge career, the connection with "La Saeta Rubia" is expected to be devastating by our side. Arguably at his peak, "Tucho" Méndez is another Argentine superstar at this moment (maybe the best one) and is the driving force of an overwhelming Racing Club in Argentina. This season he has formed and extraordinary right-sided attack with "El Atómico" Boyé, so we expect another great partnership developing on the field. Meanwhile by left Loustau is another celebrated in the attack, but the main reasons why this time he'll start instead of Sued it's because his understanding with Moreno and Di Stéfano and the defensive sacrifice he has developed to support in the mark of Ploger to Pescia. To support that florid offensive line I bet on a midfield of enormous sacrifice with "El Leoncito" Pescia, "Pipo" Rossi and Yácono. I expect that my wing-halves strike hard at Ploger and Praest to limit offensive actions by the sides of my rival (especially avoid the air crossings) while "Pipo" seeks to seize the middle sector (with the probable help of Moreno). García Pérez and "El Comisario" Colman form a strong pair at the back. Both fast, hard and tenacious, they will have to rival to tall attackers and I've to trust them the aerial game. There is also Cozzi, at this moment perhaps the best South American goalkeeper, to command and anticipate by his agility in the air.
I think, an additional score for Day-1 matches it will be needed, since one of those is having a tight score, I hope will not delay long. Day 1: A: BRA – SPA C: ARG – DEN
Please, if you can PM me or post your results, will be great. For managers who can do so, something like scorers or MotM, will be nice. Note: After I'll post the results for Day-1, I'll field the Denmark XI for the game vs Austria (day 3), I think the reserve keeper and Bronée could enter.
I think, it's enough time since the last team, from Day-1, put his XI. Day 1 - Results. A: Brazil wins (4:1, 3:0, 4:2) BRA 4 : 1 SPA C: Argentina wins (4:2, 2:1, 2:1) ARG 3 : 1 DEN
Group A: BRAZIL - 4 (Ademir 2g, Zizinho, Jair) SPAIN--- 1 (Zarra) MotM: Zizinho Group C: ARGENTINA - 3 (Di Stéfano 2g, Moreno) DENMARK---- 1 (J.Hansen) MotM: Di Stéfano Report: In the opening game, the brazilian central trio was too much for the Furia Roja, Zizinho lead a fluid, fast, dangerous and artistic attacking line, where Ademir and Jair show their great skills and powerful shots. Also the brazilian halves line, leading by Danilo, overshadowed the spanish mids. The spanish side could create some danger through their wingers, in the right side, Basora vs Nilton Santos offering a great duel, to the repertoire of feints by the spanish winger, the brazilian show a great composure and foresight. In the left side, the duel was interesting too, where the greater experience of Gainza allowed to make the crossing for the Zarra's goal. In the second match, leading by legendary charro Moreno, Argentina get a easy advantage in the scoring, where its Nº9 was a constant threat with his lightning speed. Him with Loustau's workrate helped to the argentine halves to own the midfield zone. With 3 goals up, Argentina became overconfident and Danes could create danger with physical power, until a good combination of the Juventus teammates finish with a John Hansen's header. Note 1: A Big Soccer supporter reports that at the end, the match turned into a war, after Pipo Rossi tackled badly to Hansen, being sent off, two players by side, argentinian keeper Julio Cozzi, Rossi, Hansen and Bastrup-Birk, the latter remembering his boxing days, put KO an argentine sub. The Commitee have ruled them all with a one-match ban. No additional player, could make the squad just the 16 men-list. Note 2: A massive exchange of telegrams with different sources, made it possible to discover that Big Soccer supporter drank a lot of beers and caipirinhas before the match and attended totally intoxicated to the stadium, being the cause to the fail report of the last minutes of the game .
Six Grande Torino players form the spine of Italy's starting XI. We employ the Sistema 3-2-2-3 formation. We play attacking football, with players who can fulfil many roles on the pitch. With Ezio Loik on the bench, Valentino Mazzola forms the dream mezzapunta partnership alongside the young technical genius Giampiero Boniperti of Juventus (21 goals in Serie A 1949-50 season). My other forwards come into this tournament in great scoring form too: Amadei 21 goals for Inter and Burini 22 goals for Milan. Valentino Mazzola is the all-round inside forward and inspirational captain, who will contribute both in attack and defensively. Mazzola-Boniperti-Castigliano-Annovazzi will form a magic square in midfield. Their fluid movement, interchanging of positions and skill will help us dominate in the middle. The defensive tenacity and simple passing of halfback pair Castigliano-Annovazzi help to win the ball back quick and glue the defence and attack together. Our team is built upon the solid defence of Ballarin-Rigamonti-Maroso. Rigamonti is my tough-tackling stopper (centrehalf). Maroso will help to widen the pitch by proving to be another attacking outlet on the left flank, overlapping Renzo Burini on occasions. The technical level of every player will help us to execute total football. FORZA ITALIA!
Denmark vs Austria - Day 3 After its lost against Argentina, the danish side will made two changes in its formation for the next match. They also play a classic Pyramid formation. ----------------------- O.Jensen ------------- Petersen --------- Bastrup-Birk ------- Pilmark ------- V.Jensen ----------- I.Jensen Pløger --- Lundberg --- Bronée --- J.Hansen --- Præst As goalkeeper, will play Ove Jensen, whom a few years ago was called to play for Europe XI (as reserve for french keeper Darui). In the forwards-line will play the experienced Helge Bronée (remembering his good understanding with Praest), allowing to Knud Lundberg play in his usual inside forward role, connecting the halves line with the forwards. In the early 1950s, Denmark faced Austria two times, but lining-up a local side without their stars playing abroad.
Sweden vs Italy is still open for votes. In the England vs Uruguay, you can't vote for being uruguayan manager. For the Day-3 matches, we're waiting for Austria & Spain XI to start voting.
Days 1 & 2. A: BRA 3 – 1 SPA Goals: Zizinho, Ademir x2 - Zarra MotM: Zizinho C: ARG 4 – 1 DEN Goals: Di Stéfano x2, Moreno, Loustau - Jansen MotM: Loustau B: ENG - URU My match, I can't vote D: ITA 2 - 3 SWE Goals: Mazzola x2 - Nordahl, Liedholm, Gren MotM: Mazzola
All managers agrees about who wins on Match Day 1, even with this last vote, the final score, scorers and MotM remains the same.
Austria v Denmark When reports of the Argentina-Denmark brawl first came in, the Austrians believed they would be facing a weakened Denmark and an Argentine team lacking a specialist goalkeeper. A more attacking line-up was being considered. Now the Danes are at full strength, Austria will field the eleven listed earlier in the thread. GK: Walter Zeman (Rapid Vienna) RB: Rudolph Rockl (Wiener Sport-Club) LB: Ernst Happel (Rapid Vienna) RH: Gerhardt Hanappi (S.C. Wacker) CH: Ernst Ocwirk (F.K. Austria) LH: Leopold Gernhardt (Rapid Vienna) OR: Ernst Melchior (F.K. Austria) IR: Karl Decker (First Vienna) CF: Turl Wagner (S.C. Wacker) IL: Ernst Stojaspal (F.K. Austria) OL: Lukas Aurednik (F.K. Austria)
Day 2 - My match, my first and glorious victory B: England - Uruguay Formation: 2-3-2-3 I think this match will be the key and one of the hardest matches that my team can face through the tournament but we are very confident. We will show the pure talent and the amazing skills of the Southamerican football ... Juan Alberto Schaffino told me: Mister, we have to play football champagne, keep the ball and create amazing plays and I have to believe him ... he is the commander and the heart of my team. So ... the main objective of my tactics is winning the midfield and that's require winning the ball, keep it and control it. For that reason I decided to put Schiaffino and Gómez together. Taking into account the players of England, I'm pretty sure we will win the ball in the midfield being supported for Obdulio Varela as well. The Negro Jefe will be the player from the depth for destroying the opponent plays and starts our plays as well. Víctor Andrade and Gambetta, being two of the greatest lateral defenders from Southamerica and of the world as well, will be a complete full-backs with the authority to attack too. They will be in charge to stop the skillful opponent wingers. On the other hand ... Ghiggia and Morán have the enough skills to beat the defenders, assist or attack directly to the goal, meanwhile Óscar Míguez is the prolific goalscorer. When my team is attacking: Formation: 3-4-3 When my team is defending: Formation: 4-1-4-1/4-5-1
What a tight matches in the Day 2! The final result for the Italy vs Sweden is ready with the votes of all 5 remaining managers. My vote for the other match in the Day-2 ENG 2 - 2 URU Goals: Finney, Mortensen, Ghiggia, Varela MotM: Ghiggia Just to see the Matthews vs Rodriguez Andrade duel, I'll paid my ticket
Day 2 - Result Group D: ITA-SWE draw (1:2, 2:2, 2:2, 2:3, 0:0) ITALY ----- 2 (Mazzola, Boniperti) SWEDEN 2 (G.Nordhal, Gren) MotM: V.Mazzola Report: The match that started actions in group D, has been the greatest played until now, many of the players involved knew each others very well due to being part of the Serie-A last season. Swedes take an early lead after a good combination between Skoglund and Gren, then Italy recovered with an omnipresent Mazzola with the support of a young talent as Boniperti, just both creative players scores the italian goals. Amadei missed a good chances. Italy looks very harmonious in its lines. For the second half, swedish manager decided to withdraw Liedholm to equilibrate the midfield, also Sune Andersson helped to launch his teammates to attack, with a hard opposition from Mazzola. The italian back-line defends vigorously commanding by Rigamonti. Remaining 10' after a melée in the italian box due to a good cross by Skoglund, the ball was netted by Gunnar Nordhal, whom also hit the crossbar with a header. After the final whistle, both teams were much applauded.
Just players who were active players in any year of the period 1949-1951. btw, the WC squads were announced already.
Day 2 - Result Group B: ENG-URU draw (votes after 1.5 days - 2:1, 2:2, 0:0) ENGLAND 1 (Mortensen) URUGUAY 1 (Schiaffino) MotM: Ghiggia Report: England's debut in this World Cup was settled with a draw. In the "match of the wingers", Matthews show sparks of his class due to a good game of a new talent that Uruguay brings to the WC, as Rodríguez Andrade, in a very closed duel. Two others wingers shined in this match, first Ghiggia, whom tormented his marker throughout the game with lots of tricks and speedy plays. Uruguay opened the score when a very good rookie at international stage, Schiaffino, angled a super shot, after a Ghiggia's cross. Then, England took control of the game, also Uruguay prefered this game playing with quickly counter attacks. The other winger, Finney created many chances too, crossing to his teammates and with dangerous shots. England equaliser was put by Mortensen, who play very well, in a good combination with Milburn. Uruguay keep the result thanks to a great performance by Maspoli and Obdulio Varela.
Days 1 & 2: A: BRA 4 – 1 SPA C: ARG 3 – 1 DEN B: ENG 1 - 1 URU D: ITA 2 - 2 SWE Day 3: A: HUN – SPA (ask for Spain XI) C: AUS – DEN (open for votes) Day 4: B: URU - YUG (ask for both XI) D: SWE - SCO (ask for both XI)