Matthias Sindelar (1903-1939) was an Austrian footballer, the best of his generation, perhaps of all time. He was captain of the Wunderteam, and voted both Austrian Footballer of the Century and Austrian Sportsman of the Century. On 3 April, 1938, Austria played Germany for what was intended to be the final time. After the Anschluss, when Nazi Germany rolled into Austria, the two national teams were combined into a greater German team. Austria were the better team, had already qualified for the World Cup, but the tanks in Vienna said otherwise. The idea was that the game would end with a “diplomatic 0-0 draw.” Sindelar had other plans.
Behind the Words: Matthias Sindelar
Behind the Words: Matthias Sindelar
Behind the Words: Matthias Sindelar
Matthias Sindelar (1903-1939) was an Austrian footballer, the best of his generation, perhaps of all time. He was captain of the Wunderteam, and voted both Austrian Footballer of the Century and Austrian Sportsman of the Century. On 3 April, 1938, Austria played Germany for what was intended to be the final time. After the Anschluss, when Nazi Germany rolled into Austria, the two national teams were combined into a greater German team. Austria were the better team, had already qualified for the World Cup, but the tanks in Vienna said otherwise. The idea was that the game would end with a “diplomatic 0-0 draw.” Sindelar had other plans.