Eventful WC of 1954
West Germany beat Hungary 3-2 to lift their first world title and fifth edition of the World Cup Football 1954. The result was amazing as Hungary outclassed the eventual champions 8-3 in the round robin league few days ago of the title match.
Germany’s win surprised the world of football. Every one inside and outside the stadium questioned one another, how could it be? The answer was, any thing can happen in sports.
After four quarterfinals, West Germany, Hungary, Austria and Uruguay entered semifinals. Of the four quarterfinal matches, the clash between Hungary and Brazil was a match which history will never forget. It was not a match of dexterity and skill, but of fist, punch and flying kicks from pitch to gallery to dressing room. The referee of the day expelled seven players from both the sides. The tournament started on June 16 at Berne, capital of Switzerland and concluded on July 4. There are some matches that can instantly be identified as era defining, as classics that make their entrance straight into the annals of the game. The FIFA World Cup™ quarterfinal tie that Hungary and Brazil contested at the Wankdorf Stadium in Berne, Switzerland, on 27 June 1954 was not one of those contests. Yet as time would reveals, it proved to be a significant event in the history of football. In history it is recognized as Battle of Berne.
Forty-two yellow cards and three red-cards were showed, as the fight continued into the dressing room. However, the final results of the tournament were champions West Germany, Runners-up Hungary, third Austria and 4th Uruguay.
Khurshida Haque
Dhaka
