From May 26th to June 9th, the VIII. Olympiad were played with great enthusiasm by the most diverse footballers. It seemed that everything had lined up for the matches to be played on beautiful stages, with terrains excellent enough for the teams to demonstrate their football characteristics — except for the Spain-Italy meeting. Some stood out; others perished during the tournament. Following this same route, the most diverse players were tested against different opponents. Of the several players who performed tremendously during the tournament, the ones who stood out the most belong to Uruguay. Of these, it is possible to highlight the following names: José Nasazzi, the full-back and captain of the team, José Leandro Andrade, right half-back, and Héctor Scarone, right inside forward.

As Ferdinand Scheinost had mentioned, due to Uruguay's offensive supremacy, less of the defensive system was seen compared to the offensive actions of the South Americans. In the first three matches, precisely, Uruguay's defence was not tested enough. After all, due to the orientais constant dominance, the ball remained constantly in the opponent's half. When the opponent manage to attack the South Americans, the half-back line neutralised the action before it reached the line of full-backs and Andrés Mazali.

Nevertheless, Nasazzi was a fundamental part of his team, through his dominant game — on the ground and aerial game —, his interceptions, tackles, tactical reading and inimitable leadership. With his upright posture, robust physique and sublime presence on the pitch, Nasazzi dominated his team's defensive actions with exceptional precision. When away from the action, he gestured to his comrades, thus always aiming to adjust the defensive system. With wide preference, the Uruguayan captain was mentioned as the best full-back in the tournament and one of the best players of the Olympic Games.


Héctor Scarone.

The half-back line, more precisely the right side, had Andrade, a genuine ball juggler of singular quality, as the skillful exponent. Through his inherent style, absolute elegance and refined technique, he dominated the centre of action throughout the tournament. Andrade's ability, moreover, to construct attacking moves and nullify opponents' advances was notorious. He constantly entertained the audience with his bag of tricks. Not only he was tremendously admired for his sheer artistry, Andrade was widely considered to be the best player at the VIII. Olympiad, due to his first-class level and consistency throughout the stages.


MATCH REPORT(AUSTRIA): Andrade seems to be some kind of special technical phenomenon. He is, so to speak, the Kalmán Konrád of his team and does many excellent tricks almost exclusively for his own and the audience's edification. But he is also a very unusually skilled tactician, and a half-back like we haven't seen in Austria for a long time, if at all.


Although he had defensive and offensive tasks as a half-back, the tournament showed a much more offensive Andrade. After all, as mentioned previously, Uruguayan dominance was overwhelming in most of the metings. Andrade dominated his wing as he wanted, dribbling several opponents in a row, passing with precision and performing magic in his actions.

Uruguay, in fact, had other exceptional footballers, including Pedro Cea, Pedro Petrone, the top-scorer of the VIII. Olympiad, and Ángel Romano. The forward line, however, did not have — like all the teams in the tournament — a forward as formidable as El Mago Scarone.


LUCIEN GAMBLIN: Scarone is an excellent forward; a skilled dribbler, he knows how to perfectly feint and stand out, plus he has a clear and precise shot that is always dangerous for the opposing goalkeeper. He is undoubtedly one of the best forwards we have ever seen play on the pitch.


Héctor Scarone — Resquetita —, with his sublime, precise, technical and sovereign game against opposing defensive systems, was widely mentioned as one of the best players at the VIII. Olympiad. He demonstrated himself to be an exceptional tactician, too, building advances for his team and positioning scientifically. He stood out in every match, creating and executing actions in front of the public. The oustanding right insie forward was the most formidable forward of the tournament, through his disconcerting dribbles, devilish tricks and precise, powerful shots.