1950 Atlético Mineiro European tour
Atlético Mineiro's delegation was welcomed by a large crowd in Belo Horizonte upon its return from the tour
In West Germany
Game one1860 Munich 3–4 Atlético Mineiro
Game twoHamburg 0–4 Atlético Mineiro
Game threeWerder Bremen 3–1 Atlético Mineiro
Game fourSchalke 04 1–3 Atlético Mineiro
Game fiveEintracht Braunschweig 3–3 Atlético Mineiro
In Austria
Game sixRapid Wien 3–0 Atlético Mineiro
In Belgium
Game sevenAnderlecht 1–2 Atlético Mineiro
In Luxembourg
Game eightUnion Luxembourg 3–3 Atlético Mineiro
In France (including Sarre)
Game nine1.FC Saarbrücken 0–2 Atlético Mineiro
Game tenStade Français 1–2 Atlético Mineiro

The 1950 Atlético Mineiro European tour was an episode in the history of Clube Atlético Mineiro, an association football club based in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, in which it played a series of friendly football matches against clubs in Europe, becoming the first club of Minas Gerais and also the first Brazilian at professional level to compete in that continent.[1]

Atlético Mineiro played ten matches on European soil from 1 November to 7 December 1950, touring through West Germany (where it took part in a Winter Tournament), Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg and France (including the Saar Protectorate). The Brazilian team won six matches, lost two and tied the remaining, scoring 24 goals and conceding 18.[2]

Having occurred at a time when neither national competitions in Brazil nor continental in South America exist, and in the wake of the traumatic Maracanazo, the tour and Atlético's results, many of which achieved under adverse weather conditions and snow, were seen by national sports media at the time as a historic achievement for Brazilian football.[3][4]

Background

In 1950, a commission formed by the German Football Association traveled to Brazil to choose a football club to a series of friendly matches in Germany against some of the country's club sides.[5] The recency of both the Maracanazo, a traumatic event for Brazilian football, and World War II, in which Germany and Brazil were at opposite sides, may have made clubs from Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, then the footballing centres of the country, refuse participation in the friendly tour.[6] Eventually Atlético Mineiro, then state league champion of Minas Gerais, was selected. Canor Simões, a journalist and sports director of the time, was credited as influential in the choice.[4][7]

Grünwalder Stadion (pictured) was the first ground where Atlético Mineiro played on European soil

Tour

Atlético Mineiro's delegation arrived in Frankfurt on 27 October, where it was welcomed by German sports media, as it was the first time a Brazilian club played in the country.[8] From there, the team traveled to Munich, where it played its first match against 1860 München, from Oberliga Süd, on 1 November. The match was played at the Grünwalder Stadion, with 35,000 spectators, under a misty and cool weather, and Atlético won 4–3. Hamburg was the team's second stop, where it defeated Oberliga Nord winner Hamburger SV 4–0 in front of 20,000 people at the Rothenbaum, on 4 November. Only 24 hours later, Atlético Mineiro travelled to Bremen, and suffered the tour's first defeat: 1–3 to Werder (that also played in the Oberliga Nord) at the Weserstadion, with an attendance of 26,000.[8] A one-week rest followed, after which the team traveled to Gelsenkirchen. Schalke 04, which went on to win that season's Oberliga West, was defeated 3–1. The encounter was a farewell match for Schalke legends Ernst Kuzorra and Fritz Szepan, and was attended by 30,000 at the Glückauf-Kampfbahn on 12 November.[9]

From Germany, Atlético followed to Vienna, where 60,000 people saw the Brazilians lose 0–3 to a strong Rapid Wien side, which would form the backbone of the Austria national football team in the 1954 FIFA World Cup, the tour's worst result. Viennese press reported that Atlético Mineiro's players complained about refereeing (a supposed offside goal and a non-existent penalty to Rapid), as well as about the crowd's behaviour, which they saw as menacing (even though the home team's supporters were only raising their arms to applaud the visitors).[10] On 20 November, the team played 1.FC Saarbrücken, then out of the German Football Association and playing in the French football league system because of Saarlands's French protectorate status; Atlético won the match by 2–0.

Uruguayan Ricardo Diéz (pictured) coached the team during the tour

A trip to Belgium followed, where 40,000 watched the team beat Belgian First Division champions Anderlecht, led by forward Joseph Mermans, by a 2–1 score, on 22 November.[11] On 26 November the club returned to Germany, where it tied with Oberliga Nord's Eintracht Braunschweig 3–3 at Eintracht-Stadion in front of 30,000 people.[12] Another 3–3 tie followed, this time in Luxembourg against Union, increased by players from some other Luxembourger sides, on 5 December.[13][14] The tour ended in Paris with a match against Stade Français on 7 December at Parc des Princes with a 4,000 attendance.[15][16] Atlético won 2–1 under an extremely low temperature, which forced goalkeeper Kafunga to put his hands in a hot water bottle during the match, and caused midfielder Barbatana to suffer from hypothermia.[1]

The tour ended in turmoil at European soil, however, as a disagreement between the club's board members and the German tour manager Eden Kaltenecker resulted in the disappearance of the latter and a shortage of money for the return trip to Brazil, which had to be ultimately funded by Minas Gerais State Government.[3][17] A planned match against French champion Lille, to be played on 10 December, was also cancelled because of intense cold.[18]

Aftermath

Brazilian press anticipated the return of the club's delegation, which was honored by the Brazilian Sports Confederation and received a standing ovation at the Maracanã before a Campeonato Carioca match.[19][20] The team was welcomed by over 50,000 people upon its return to Belo Horizonte, in what was described as an "apotheotic" celebration in the city streets.[17][21] Despite not having an unbeaten run, sports media lauded Atlético Mineiro's tour as a historical success for the country's football,[3] which had suffered a major setback with the Maracanazo in the same year. The results achieved under adverse conditions and snowy grounds led to the dubbing of the team as Campeões do Gelo (Portuguese for "Ice Champions"), a feat remembered in the club's official anthem.[22]

Matches

1 November 1950 1860 München West Germany 3–4 Brazil Atlético Mineiro Grünwalder Stadion, Munich
Thanner 13'
Sommer 71', 80'		 Report Lucas Miranda 7', 35'
Lauro 27'
Vaguinho 68'		 Attendance: 35,000
Referee: Hechert (Germany)
4 November 1950 Hamburger SV West Germany 0–4 Brazil Atlético Mineiro Rothenbaum, Hamburg
Report Nívio 13'
Alvinho 20'
Lucas Miranda 27', 74'		 Attendance: 20,000
Referee: Rexhauser (Germany)
5 November 1950 Werder Bremen West Germany 3–1 Brazil Atlético Mineiro Weserstadion, Bremen
Preuße 35'
Burdenski 69'
Pöschl 81'		 Report Lucas Miranda 55' Attendance: 26,000
Referee: Fritz de Zelle (Germany)[23]
12 November 1950 Schalke 04 West Germany 1–3 Brazil Atlético Mineiro Glückauf-Kampfbahn, Gelsenkirchen
Malinowski 77' Report Lucas Miranda 4'
Vaguinho 17', 61'		 Attendance: 30,000
Referee: Guzzetti (Italy)[24]
16 November 1950 Rapid Wien Austria 3–0 Brazil Atlético Mineiro Pfarrwiese, Vienna
Dienst 14'
Körner 35'
Probst 69'		 Report Attendance: 60,000
Referee: Alois Beranek (Austria)[10]
20 November 1950 Saarbrücken Saar Protectorate 0–2 Brazil Atlético Mineiro Kieselhumes, Saarbrücken
Report Nívio 82', 87' Attendance: 16,000
22 November 1950 Anderlecht Belgium 1–2 Brazil Atlético Mineiro Émile Versé, Anderlecht, Brussels
Mermans 38' Report Vaguinho 29'
Alvinho 83'		 Attendance: 40,000
Referee: Albert Alsteen (Belgium)
26 November 1950 Eintracht Braunschweig West Germany 3–3 Brazil Atlético Mineiro Eintracht-Stadion, Braunschweig
Schroder 37'
Thamm 67', 89'		 Report Vaguinho 18'
Alvinho 53'
Murilinho 79'		 Attendance: 35,000
5 December 1950 Union Luxembourg Luxembourg 3–3 Brazil Atlético Mineiro Achille Hammerel, Luxembourg
Juca (o.g.)
Müller
Hermann 		Report Vaguinho
Lauro
Nívio 		Attendance: 1,800
7 December 1950 Stade Français France 1–2 Brazil Atlético Mineiro Parc des Princes, Paris
Drouet 72' Report Nívio 24'
Lucas Miranda 43'		 Attendance: 4,000
Referee: Gaby Tordjman (France)

Club delegation

Players

PositionName
GoalkeeperBrazil Kafunga
Brazil Mão-de-Onça
DefenderBrazil Afonso
Brazil Oswaldo
Brazil Juca
Brazil Márcio
Midfielder Brazil Moreno
Brazil Vicente
Brazil Zé do Monte
Brazil Haroldo
Brazil Barbatana
Brazil Vicente Pérez
Forward Brazil Lucas Miranda
Brazil Lauro
Brazil Zezinho
Brazil Alvinho
Brazil Nívio Gabrich
Brazil Vavá
Brazil Murilinho
Brazil Vaguinho

Staff

PositionName
Delegation chief Brazil Domingos Dângelo
Head coachUruguay Ricardo Diéz
DoctorBrazil Abdo Arges
InterpreterGermany Teodora Breickport
JournalistBrazil Francisco Américo

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Pela estrada afora - "Campeões do Gelo" 1950" [Down the road - "Ice Champions" 1950]. Futebola RJ (in Portuguese). 2 December 2010. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  2. ↑ "European Trip of Atlético Mineiro 1950". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. 28 November 2013. Retrieved 19 August 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 "De passagem o Atlético" [Atlético passing by]. Jornal dos Sports (in Portuguese). 14 December 1950. Retrieved 14 September 2015 – via National Library of Brazil.
  4. 1 2 Lacerda, Bernardo (17 December 2013). "Mundial resgata feito histórico do Atlético nos gramados gelados da Europa" [Club World Cup brings up Atlético's historic feat at icy fields of Europe]. UOL Esporte (in Portuguese). Retrieved 15 September 2015.
  5. ↑ O primeiro Vavá, o único que pode contar as histórias vividas pelo Atlético-MG 'campeão do gelo' [The first Vavá, the only one who can tell the stories of "ice champion" Atlético Mineiro]. ESPN Brasil (in Portuguese). 26 November 2014. Retrieved 14 September 2015.
  6. ↑ Costa, Thiago (27 July 2015). "Os Campeões do Gelo: memória, esquecimento, silêncio" [The Ice Champions: memory, oblivion, silence]. Arquibancada (in Portuguese). Ludopédio (73). ISSN 2446-6174. Retrieved 14 September 2015.
  7. ↑ Madureira, Thiago (31 March 2015). "Único remanescente do time "Campeão do Gelo", Vavá revela frustração e cobra reconhecimento" [The only one left of the ice champion squad, Vavá reveals frustration and demands recognition]. Superesportes (in Portuguese). Retrieved 15 September 2015.
  8. 1 2 Braun, Jutta (10 July 2014). "»So kalt!« – Als der brasilianische Fußball nach Deutschland kam – Die Eismeister" [»So cold!« – How Brazilian Football came to Germany – The Ice Master] (in German). 11 Freunde. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
  9. ↑ "12. November 1950: Zwei Legenden hören auf" [12 November 1950: Listen to two legends]. FC Schalke 04 official website (in German). 12 November 2014. Archived from the original on 2015-09-23. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
  10. 1 2 "Die Brasilianer wurden klar geschlagen" [The Brazilians were clearly beaten]. Arbeiter-Zeitung (in German). 16 November 1950. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
  11. ↑ Américo, Francisco (23 November 1950). "Triunfou o Atlético na Bélgica" [Atlético triumphs in Belgium]. O Globo (in Portuguese). Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  12. ↑ "Empatou o Atlético Mineiro na Alemanha" [Atlético Mineiro ties in Germany]. O Globo (in Portuguese). 27 November 1950. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  13. ↑ "Bello Horizonte und Union spielen 3-3 bei einem Halbzeitstand von 1-1". Tageblatt (in German). 6 December 1950. Archived from the original on 9 October 2020. Retrieved 15 September 2015 – via National Library of Luxembourg.
  14. ↑ "Union Luxbg. - Bello Horizonte 3-3 (Halbzeit 1-1)". Luxemburger Wort (in German). 6 December 1950. Archived from the original on 9 October 2020. Retrieved 15 September 2015 – via National Library of Luxembourg.
  15. ↑ "Le Stade Français contre le champion du Brésil" [Stade Français against the Brazilian champions]. Le Monde (in French). 6 December 1950. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
  16. ↑ "Vencedor o Atlético em Paris sob chuva e tremendo frio" [Atlético winner in Paris under rain and extreme cold]. O Globo (in Portuguese). 8 December 1950. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  17. 1 2 "Campeão do Gelo". Galo Digital (in Portuguese). 28 July 2015. Retrieved 14 September 2015.
  18. ↑ "Encerrada a excursão do quadro brasileiro" [Ended the tour of the Brazilian side]. O Estado de S. Paulo (in Portuguese). 10 December 1950. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  19. ↑ Leal, Ubiratan (5 May 2008). "Campeão informal, e daí?" [Informal champion, so what?]. Balípodo (in Portuguese). Retrieved 15 September 2015.
  20. ↑ "Recebe o Atlético as homenagens da torcida carioca". Jornal dos Sports (in Portuguese). 17 December 1950. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
  21. ↑ "Confirmou na Europa o prestígio do futebol brasileiro" [Confirmed in Europe the prestige of Brazilian football]. Diário de Minas (in Portuguese). 19 December 1950. Archived from the original on 27 September 2015. Retrieved 15 September 2015 – via Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais.
  22. ↑ "História - Atlético". Clube Atlético Mineiro official website (in Portuguese). Retrieved 14 September 2015.
  23. ↑ Américo, Francisco (6 November 1950). "Venceu sábado e foi derrotado ontem" [Won on saturday and was defeated yesterday]. O Globo (in Portuguese). Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  24. ↑ Américo, Francisco (13 November 1950). "Terceira vitória do Atlético Mineiro na Alemanha" [Third victory for Atlético Mineiro in Germany]. O Globo (in Portuguese). Retrieved 26 September 2015.
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