England expects
Jimmy Hogan | 05/05/1930

In football circles on the Continent, excitement is at fever heat. I have never known anything like it for twenty years. Everyone in sporting circles is asking: "Can Germany and Austria beat England?” And the general opinion is: "Yes!". This Is only natural after the shocking displays of English League teams during recent years. 

Surely the prestige of English Football has never been so much at stake! Can England succeed in their task? Certainly! But they will have to play a similar game to the one against Scotland, and every man will have to give of his very best. I know Continental football only too well, and have observed its development from that of a weak child to very a strong man.

Hofmann a star.

The German team to oppose England at Berlin on Saturday will be an amateur side, as we have no professional football in the Fatherland. The players have been well coached by experienced trainers and various trial games have taken place. 

The side selected is a fairly young one, and there are several new caps. I consider R. Hofmann (Dresden Sport Club) to be the best inside forward abroad. 

The type of game we are playing in Germany is a productive one, with good hefty charging, and we have good scoring forwards. In general, the low combination game is in vogue, but we have players who are strong and clever enough to hold the ball either for an individual scoring effort or to provide openings.

Austria's style.

It is 20 years since English International side appeared in Austria, and the captain of this Association is Hugo Meisl, who is the best friend of British football abroad. He has always upheld English sporting principles. 

Austria was one of the first countries abroad to introduce football. British coaches and teams were engaged, and to cleanse the game the so-called "whitewashed amateur player”, introduced professionalism shortly after the war. 

When hostilities ceased, and until 1924, the best football abroad was played Hungary and Czecho-Slovakia, but during recent years, for purely scientific and constructive football, I must award the palm to Austria. 

The first class teams are all confined to Vienna; the Austrian provincial teams are mostly second and third class. Austrian football is a type of the Scottish game — dribbling, short passing, and all kinds of tricks (though sometimes overdone). I regard the Vienna men as astute players. 

Austria’s match with England will be played on Wednesday, May 14, Hohe Warte, in Vienna, and 50.000 people will be there to give the English International side a hearty welcome.

A warning.

The best judges of football abroad refuse to believe that Continental football is already equal to or better than the standard of English play, and duly take into consideration the various difficulties one has to contend with when League teams make their tours. 

But surely on this occasion, when an English International eleven is coming on tour, travelling under the best possible conditions and playing only two games, we shall he able to prove that English football is still the best in the world. 

The only drawback the possibility of staleness after the severe English season. 

May I remind the English team that Germany drew with Scotland last year and that the visitors only equalised late in the game? May I also tell them that their display affects British prestige and the standing abroad of every British coach? 

Would they like to know how we feel about these two games? “England expects..." Yes, it’s as important as all that; more important than the International with Scotland at Wembley.