This article is part of a series called "The feuilets de mon album" — The sheets of my album —, by Jean Eskenazi, published in 1937 & 1938. These series are a collection of footballers and some quick interesting comments of Eskenazi abut every single one of them. You can see the whole episodes by clicking here.

Football sprinters
Jean Eskenazi | 09/12/1937



Jackson


The only footballer for whom the term runner was not pejorative.

Because on 100 meters would have been champion of France roofs the days.

Had unique speed and penetrating force.

Now the Scotsman has become fat, like a monk and his qualities are only a memory. But what a memory!


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Puč


He has a pain in the neck face.

Perhaps because bad luck rarely spared him.

How many times he has been unavailable! Every year his retirement is announced.

But every year we find him in Slavia and in the Czechoslovakia team. He is always there, and even a little there.

We saw him in England-Czechoslovakia where, placidly, he scored two goals. So that day a faint smile lit up his unhappy face worthy of a character by Eugène Dabit.


*   *   *

Sas


His name means "eagle" in the Magyar language.

And indeed he is a football eagle that has the finesse, the elegance of another eagle: that of Meaux.

Is well in the tradition of Hungarian football.

Fallouts?

Nope! pizzicatti. His effectiveness does not suffer from it until Amsterdam at the meeting of the two Europes and scored his two small goals, without seeming to touch them.


*   *   *

Lehner


Goes quickly.

And shoots very hard.

To this power that pleases so much across the Rhine.

Short goose step, if we dare say!

One of the permanent members of the German team of which he is one of the best goal scorers.

But you shouldn't ask him too much for subtleties.

He would get confused.


*   *   *

Langiller


One of the four or five great men that French football has produced.

Class in all his splendor characterized by ease and speed aristocracy of sport.

A lightning start and a change of gears that left the opponent on the spot.

With that a smile as wide as a house and an unfailing caution.

In life an amazing type, serious and tidy.

It matters too.


*   *   *

Orsi


Violinist by profession.

And balloon artist.

Played a few successful serenades.

Especially in the World Cup final when he got the equalizer which sparked an enthusiasm that we will not forget.

Had the spark.

An extraordinary winger with a quick slender style and an undeniably virtuoso ball handler.


*   *   *

Vogl


Was one of the ornaments of the Wunterteam.

Was also one of the great goal scorers.

When he left picked up on himself, like when Kaers matches in pursuit. It was hot.

Was one of the first continental wingers to have the efficiency of the British wingers and his shot on full stride was formidable.


*   *   *

Brook


If perfection is not of this world, it is nevertheless difficult to play a better winger than did on one day, in Saint-Ouen, a redhead, a little bald, and who was not Mr. Vieubled.

The following year the left winger of Manchester City was in the England team where he scored a few goals and crumpled the hands of a few goalkeepers.

Ceresoli still remembers a certain penalty shot by Brook at England-Italy who, when the mood takes him, goes for a walk on the opposite wing and thus marks out one or two teammates.


*   *   *

Gorostiza


Wiggles on his wing as if dancing flamengo.

Activity does not scare him and retirement will weigh on him.

Constantly in action and constant danger.

But a constant danger full of elegance.

His passes are poison bullets!