The footballer who defied Nazi Germany — beragampengetahuan – Beragampengetahuan

Anschluss, Annexation of Austria, and the Wunderteam Wrap-Up

European success and a decent showing at the World Cup and Olympics were to be the peak of this team of talented players and their creative manager. Meisl had created an attractive style of play for his squad and they acquired many admirers for the passing and attacking style of play, in which their superstar Sindelar thrived.

The sad end to their team began in tragic circumstances, Meisl suffered a heart attack aged 55 in 1937 during the build-up to the 1938 World Cup. The Austria squad has shown no signs of slowing down in the lead-up to the event and had qualified for the tournament in which they hoped they could get the better of Italy for the first time since the Central European International Cup.

However, the political climate and Meisl’s untimely death put a stop to this plan. In March 1938 Austria was annexed to Adolf Hitler’s Third Reich, known as Anschluss.

The Austrian born leader of the Nazi Party wanted to ‘reclaim’ Austria to make a greater German nation. The intricacies of this period of history are far too broad to be summarized so shortly here. One thing that was clear was the impact this had on Austria as a nation and as a national football team.

The 1938 World Cup began four months after the annexation of Austria to Germany. The German football selectors were keen to poach some of the greatest members of this Austrian Wunderteam for their faltering German national side. Austria was removed from the list of teams to compete in the World Cup and so the Austrian players had a choice to make, represent a German side or miss out on the World Cup and any future international tournaments.

Defying the Nazis and Sindelar’s Suspicious Death

Matthias Sindelar was not just an Austrian footballer of the time; he was the Austrian footballer. The national sweetheart was instrumental on the pitch but remained humble and loyal despite his fame.

He was a celebrity appearing in advertising campaigns and he rebuked several attempts from other European clubs out of loyalty to Austria Vienna and his home country.

Not only did the Nazi regime challenge his profession, it challenged his way of life and political beliefs. Being a proud socialist, he did not agree with Hitler and the Nazi Party.

As well as this, although not being Jewish himself, lots of his friends and teammates were Jews and he did not enjoy seeing their lives being negatively affected by the Germans.

The annexation of Austria brought with it the banning of all Jews from playing football, this wiped out the majority of the Austria Vienna squad. Again, the impact on Sindelar’s personal and professional life was massive. Despite the sanctions against it, he remained in contact with the Jewish members of the club so he could help them as much as possible during the annexation. 

As part of the poaching of Austrian players and a show of solidarity between the nations, Germany hosted an exhibition match between the two countries in April 1938. The plan was for the game to end in a draw and the Austrian players were warned not to score against the Germans.

This was all going to plan, and the dominant Austrian side missed several easy chances. However, Sindelar knew this was an opportunity to represent his Jewish friends and his socialist beliefs, in front of the Nazi representatives at the ground.

He did not miss his chance and scored in the game that Austria went on to win. Following his goal, he celebrated which further mocked the Nazis in attendance and illustrated his love for Austria.

Despite the anger and embarrassment, such was Sindelar’s talents, the German selectors wanted him to play for Germany in the build-up to and in the 1938 World Cup. Every time, he refused.

Being 35 years old, he was of the age to retire but his ability was still abundantly clear but Sindelar did not want to play.

This fateful goal and repeated rejections made him a famous Nazi adversary and certainly belittled the power of Hitler and his party. So, in January 1939, nine months after his goal against Germany and seven months after Germany were eliminated in the First Round of the 1938 World Cup, Sindelar was found dead.

He and his girlfriend were discovered in their bedroom, the cause of death was carbon monoxide poisoning. However, many people did not believe this to be the real reason they died, and an investigation was opened. This was quickly shut down by the Nazis and suspicion has surrounded the end of his life ever since.

Whether it was a tragic accident, suicide to ensure that he would not be imprisoned and punished for his beliefs or whether the Nazis had to ensure that he could not embarrass them again, this death was a sorry way for the great man to go.

Remembering Matthias Sindelar: 1903 -1939

Sindelar was a monumental figure in Austrian football and is often afforded the title of the best his country has ever produced. Rarely can a man have equal levels of talent, loyalty, and morality, and have them all in such large amounts.

He was fiercely loyal to his club, his country, and his friends but he was also the greatest player his nation had ever seen. His domestic and international successes display this best and he will forever be remembered for his footballing ability.

The fact his life ended in such sad circumstances is tragic yet makes him an even greater man and a bigger influence on football as a whole.

Football is not fighting in the trenches or leading a government, but it provides normal people with an opportunity to express their emotions and beliefs in front of thousands of people.

Sindelar realised this and was aware of the potential consequences of his actions, but he used his fame and ability to stand up for what was right and what he believed in and because of this, he should always be remembered and respected, the world over.