Italy 1934
Overview: Europe and Italy hosted their first World Cup in 1934. Under the reign of Italy’s fascist leader Benito Mussolini who wanted to display Italy’s might, the host country provided eight venues together with live radio broadcasts to 12 competing countries. The World Cup saw another series of firsts as Uruguay rejected to travel to Italy and thus became the first champions not to defend their trophy. 32 countries took part in the first ever qualifier to decide the 16 finalists. The 16 finalists then played in a knock-out round where the match between Italy and Spain was replayed after they drew 1-1 in the first match which went into extra-time. Italy and Czechoslovakia played each other in the final and in a literal “do or die” situation fashioned by Mussolini; the hosts pipped the Czechs 2-1 to glory after the impressive Angelo Schiavio scored the winner.
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Winners: Italy
Runners-Up: Czechoslovakia
Golden Boot: Oldrich Nejedly (Tch)