Jews at FIFA World Cup
AS FIFA’s 2014 World Cup kicks off in Brazil on Friday, The AJN looks back at significant Jewish moments on football’s biggest stage.
Of course, Israel’s one-and-only appearance at the World Cup in 1970 leads the list. In a group full of footballing heavyweights, Israel competed honourably, losing 2-0 to Uruguay, drawing 1-1 with Sweden (Mordechai Spiegler still the nation’s only World Cup goal scorer) and managing to eke out a scoreless draw against eventual runners-up Italy. The blue-and-white finished last in the group but were praised for their showing.
Holland’s Johan Neeskens is rated by many as among the most important Jewish sports stars in history. An integral part of the great Holland football sides in the 1970s, the silky midfielder appeared in, but lost, two successive World Cup Finals (1974, ’76). Renowned for his technical ability on the ball, Neeskens also famously scored against West Germany in 1974 and is arguably the greatest ever Jewish footballer.
Although there are questions around Austrian Matthias Sindelar’s Jewishness, one thing is certain. His affinity for Jews and hatred of the Nazi regime, saw a glittering football career cut down in its prime. The Viennese football legend is believed to have been murdered by the Nazis in 1938, following the annexation of Austria by Germany. Hitler demanded elite footballers play under the Nazi banner, but Sindelar refused and soon after, he and his Jewish girlfriend Camilla were found dead, allegedly poisoned by the Gestapo. A prodigious goal scorer and elegant dribbler, Sindelar captained Austria to a semifinal appearance in the 1934 World Cup.
Lastly, we have England’s most capped outfield player, David Beckham. With a Jewish grandfather and memories of involvement in the local Jewish community, it’s enough to claim the football icon. Beckham has appeared in three World Cups, scoring at least a goal in each one (the only English player with this stat), but, much to the chagrin of his nation, could never advance his team past the quarter-finals.
ADAM BLAU
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