THE AUSTRIAN SIDE
— John Langenus | 30/11/1933 —

"Austria's great fight" and other laudatory headlines were plastered on newspapers all over Scotland and England yesterday evening. It was not difficult for the sporting Brits to admit that Austria had played a tremendous game, magnificent to look at and magnificent to execute.

The Viennese distinguished themselves in every respect: in the accuracy of the flat combination, in the positional play, in the heading and dribbling, in all parts their game was equal to the brilliant Scottish playing technique.

And through it all, Scotland fielded their best team, reinforced by three Scots who play for English clubs.

Scotland can offer no excuse. It played with full force and that only increases Austria's merit.

Austria certainly didn't have its best team. It must be said that the young Wagner had a difficult task. Opposite him was Duncan, Derby County's left-winger, Scotland's best man, a boy of great speed and ball control rarely seen. The leather remained on his foot as if fascinated. Viertl also had a tough opponent, Meiklejohn, the most popular player in Scotland. All of the remaining nine Austrians were major stars who would play an outstanding role in any British team.

Whether the defense or the attack was the team's best line remains to be discussed, because both parts of the team played in such a way that it was a pleasure to watch.

The difficult work Platzer did cannot be written down because he was not deterred by the amount of jostling from the Scots — and that means something for a goalie who is not used to that.

Both backs have peculiarities. Sesta is an attacking man, but he has such a keen eye and sense of where he belongs that makes it noticeable. Janda, on the other hand, is finer, more elegant, but he also likes the right charge and his ball handling is perhaps even better than Sesta.

Nausch was Austria's best half-back in London a year ago. He was also the best in Glasgow. Nausch is a sturdy guy who can take a lot of punishment, a consummate ball artist who knows how to help himself in all situations. Smistik was initially thrown off balance by the Scots' surprising passing balls, but later he got better and ended up doing quite well. Wagner certainly had the most difficult task of the three.

In the attacking line, in which Sindelar was always the Deus ex machina — and because he showed himself to be such a great ball artist in London, this time he didn't have the leading role. One must not assume this incorrectly.

Sindelar was also in Glasgow a centre-forward that every country could wish for, but he was no longer the football wonder that he was a year before. Back then he had ideas and tricks that are missing now.

This time, most of the attack combinations came from Schall.

He set up most of the good combinations and found most of his shots deue to the right winger Zischek, more than on his close winger Viertl. Schall worked hard and well. He took advantage of the chance that came his way after the break, whereas he missed two of the same in London.

The right winger Zischek is a pure miracle. This boy who has been trant for so long, and who was restored through a lot of care and torment, is back on top. Scotland's best half-back, Brown, was working against him. It was often a pleasure to watch him. Zischek certainly played a great game at Hampden Park. Finally, we have to mention Bican, the Rapid centre-forward, who Meisl had positioned on the inside right.

This Bican knows best what to do with a ball. He was Zischek's constant helper.

All in all a splendid team, just as good in all areas as the strongest team in Scotland.