Poland v Hungary (1939)

The Last Game, as it is known in Poland, was played on Sunday August 27, 1939, at the Wojska Polskiego Stadium in Warsaw. It was the last game of the interwar Polish football team before the Second World War. The Polish national football team faced and beat one of the best teams of that period - 1938's FIFA World Cup runners-up, Hungary, four goals to two. This match has generally been forgotten by the Hungarians - for them it was just one of many international friendlies, without any significance. In Poland, however, it is still remembered as the last match before World War Two and also because it was a victory over a renowned team - the biggest success in history of Polish soccer up to that time.

Four days before the match, the Germans and the Soviets had secretly signed the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, according to which Poland was to be wiped off the map of Europe. The perception in Warsaw was that something was up in the air, mobilization of the Polish Army was supposed to be announced at any time, but in spite of this people were hoping for the best, enjoying the weather and last days of summer vacation.

In 1939, the Hungarian soccer team was widely regarded as one of the best in the world, and hardly anyone in Poland believed that their players in white and red uniforms, their national colors, were going to win over their opponents. This opinion was echoed by the nation's largest sports daily "Przegląd Sportowy", which in Saturday's issue exclaimed in large print on the front page, "Without chances, but ready to fight". Poland was to face the Hungarians for the ninth time - up to then, the Poles had never won.

The Polish team

The Polish team under manager Józef Kałuża:
* Adolf Krzyk, Brygada Częstochowa - goalkeeper,
* Władysław Szczepaniak, Polonia Warszawa (captain) - defender,
* Edmund Giemsa, Ruch Chorzów - defender,
* Wilhelm Góra, Cracovia Kraków - midfielder,
* Edward Jabłoński, Cracovia Kraków - midfielder,
* Ewald Dytko, Dąb Katowice - midfielder
* Henryk Jaznicki, Polonia Warszawa - forward (replaced in 31. minute by Stanisław Baran, Warszawianka Warszawa),
* Ewald Cebula, Śląsk Świętochłowice - forward,
* Leonard Piątek, AKS Chorzów - forward,
* Ernest Willimowski, Ruch Chorzów - forward,
* Paweł Cyganek, Fablok Chrzanów - forward.

An interesting fact is that a famous Scotsman Alex James, who in the summer of 1939 temporarily helped Józef Kałuża with training of Polish players, had left Warsaw for Britain a few days earlier. It is likely he too felt that war was imminent and wanted to escape the country. James did not believe in Poland's victory, either. Just before the game, he sent three dispatches advising Poles to concentrate on defense and hope for a lucky draw.

The Hungarian team

* Ferenc Sziklai, Újpest FC - goalkeeper,
* Károly Kis, MTK Hungária FC - defender,
* Sándor Bíró, MTK Hungária FC - defender,
* Antal Szalay, Újpest FC - midfielder,
* József Turay, MTK Hungária FC (captain) - midfielder,
* János Dudás, MTK Hungária FC - midfielder,
* Sándor Ádám, Újpest FC - forward,
* György Sárosi, Ferencvárosi TC - forward,
* Gyula Zsengellér, Újpest FC - forward,
* Géza Toldi, Ferencvárosi TC - forward,
* László Gyetvai, Ferencvárosi TC - forward.

Coach - Dénes Ginzery.

The game

At 5 p.m. sharp, Finnish referee Esko K. Pekonen blew his whistle for the first time. For the first half hour, the visitors were the more effective team, ceaselessly attacking Krzyk's goal, who got into difficulties early on. In just fourteen minutes time, Hungary's Gyula Zsengeller scored the first goal from a short distance. The Polish fans, many of them in military uniforms, who overflowed the stands, were suddenly quieted. In the 30th minute, another goal was scored by Hungary - this time by Sándor Ádám. It looked like Poland was going to get a drubbing, but soon the Poles managed to regain control of the game.

Just 180 seconds later, in the 33rd minute, Dytko passed the ball to Piątek who headed it to Wilimowski. The Polish topscorer ran a few meters and then fired high into the net, above the goalie. Poland continued attacking during the remainder of the half.

In second half, the situation continued, with Polish players attacking and the Hungarians unable to defend their score. In the 64th minute, Jablonski passed the ball to Piątek, who then put Wilimowski into action. 'Ezi' dribbled past two defenders and shot from a close range.

In the 75th minute of the game, Hungarian defender Sándor Bíró touched the ball with his hand in penalty area and conceded the foul. Piatek shot with force and precision, making the score 3-2. Just 60 seconds later - another feat by Wilimowski. The Hungarians were unable to take the ball away from him which resulted in another goal: 4-2, settling the game.

During the last minutes, the Polish side, happy with the result, attempted to defend it and although the Hungarians managed to score a goal, one of their players was in an off-side position and so it was disallowed.

After the match

At the final whistle, the Polish fans were overcome with joy. They had just witnessed the biggest success to date in the history of Polish football. Everybody was in good mood, hoping that political situation would - just like events in the game - get better. The visitors, although unhappy, accepted the defeat with honor, stating that the Poles were a better team.

However, there were people who were predicting catastrophe. Ominous were the words of the director of PZPN, Colonel Kazimierz Glabisz, who during the after-game banquet said: "Who knows - maybe this was the last game before another war?"

The games that never took place

Meanwhile Polish officials were planning the next games. On Sunday, September 3, 1939 in Warsaw, Poland was going to face Bulgaria. Coach Kaluza had already selected players for this match. These were:
* Walter Brom, Ruch Chorzów,
* Edmund Giemsa, Ruch Chorzów,
* Michal Dusik, KPW Poznań,
* Kazimierz Lis, Warta Poznań,
* Wilhelm Piec, Naprzód Lipiny,
* Henryk Mikunda, Ruch Chorzów,
* ?? Schreier, Warta Poznań,
* Boleslaw Gendera, Warta Poznań,
* Ewald Cebula, Śląsk Świętochłowice,
* Franciszek Pytel, AKS Chorzów,
* Paweł Cyganek, Fablok Chrzanów.

In reserve stayed: Adolf Krzyk (Brygada Częstochowa), Władysław Szczepaniak and Stanislaw Filipek (both Polonia Warszawa), Edmund Białas (KPW Poznań).

Then, on Wednesday, September 6, 1939, probably in Belgrade, Poland was scheduled to face Yugoslavia. Coach Kaluza decided to send there almost identical team as the one that beat Hungary. There was only one difference - Schreier was going to replace Jaznicki. In reserve were: Brom, Pytel, Bialas and Piec.

On September 24, 1939, two international friendlies were scheduled. Polish first team was going to play Romania in Warsaw, Polish reserve was going to go to Helsinki, to face Finland.

Unfortunately, on Friday, September 1, 1939, Germany invaded, World War II started, and Sunday's game was the last match of interwar Poland.

See also

* History of football in Poland
* Polish soccer (football) in interwar period
*
* Polish Roster in World Cup Soccer France 1938

References

* "Przegląd Sportowy", nr 68 (1533), Thursday, August 24, 1939
* "Przegląd Sportowy", nr 69 (1534), Monday, August 28, 1939
* "Przegląd Sportowy", nr 70 (1535), Thursday, August 31, 1939