I’m sure that this subject has been touched on in previous threads, but I didn’t see one which deals exclusively with the subject. So as it’s the 75th anniversary of Italy’s WC triumph in 1934, perhaps it’s an appropriate time to ask the theoretical question: would Italy have won the tournament outside of their own country?
It was June 10th 1934 when Italy became World Champions by defeating Czechoslovakia 2-1 in the final. But details like this tend to be lost amidst the Fascist propaganda fest that doubled up as a football competition, and it’s been well documented that Mussolini used the tournament in an effort to bolster his regime.
From fascist salutes to Il Duce at the matches, ineligible oriundi, and alleged corruption of referees, it’s difficult to be open minded about the 1934 tournament and believe that the best team won it fair and square on the pitch. On the other hand , perhaps we should take the view that the Italian manager Vittorio Pozzo
“used the inflated spirit of the times to promote an atmosphere, a discipline, which subsequent Italian managers have envied, and which would never have been possible without it” (Brian Glanville - ‘Story of the World Cup’)
Here’s some film footage of the tournament that has survived.
I’ve got to go to work, so I’ll have to leave it at that for now. What do others think about this?
It was June 10th 1934 when Italy became World Champions by defeating Czechoslovakia 2-1 in the final. But details like this tend to be lost amidst the Fascist propaganda fest that doubled up as a football competition, and it’s been well documented that Mussolini used the tournament in an effort to bolster his regime.
From fascist salutes to Il Duce at the matches, ineligible oriundi, and alleged corruption of referees, it’s difficult to be open minded about the 1934 tournament and believe that the best team won it fair and square on the pitch. On the other hand , perhaps we should take the view that the Italian manager Vittorio Pozzo
“used the inflated spirit of the times to promote an atmosphere, a discipline, which subsequent Italian managers have envied, and which would never have been possible without it” (Brian Glanville - ‘Story of the World Cup’)
Here’s some film footage of the tournament that has survived.
I’ve got to go to work, so I’ll have to leave it at that for now. What do others think about this?
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