The Magical Magyars Win Olympic Gold

OTD E0275 — 02 Aug 1952: Hungary beat Yugoslavia 2–0 in Helsinki to win Olympic football gold, with goals from Ferenc Puskás and Zoltán Czibor. This episode traces the Danubian school, Hugo Meisl, Jimmy Hogan, MTK, Honvéd, Gusztáv Sebes, “socialist football,” state amateurism, the Communist Bloc’s Olympic advantage, Hungary’s route through Romania, Italy, Turkey and Sweden, Yugoslavia’s political importance, and how Helsinki opened the road to Wembley 6–3, Budapest 7–1, Bern 1954, the 1956 rupture, and the lasting tactical influence of the Magical Magyars.Ideas: [email protected]