The 1948 Olympic Games title was won, impressively, by Sweden, managed by Englishman George Raynor. George S. Raynor (January 13, 1907 (Wombwell?, Yorkshire) - November 24, 1985) was an English professional footballer and one of the most successful international football managers ever. ...

Background

The competition, held at various football grounds throughout South England, came to be seen as a celebration of Olympic ideals. Sweden, whose Football Association forbade professionalism within domestic football, ran out worthy winners but there were exceptional performances put up by Korea and India.

Competition

The Netherlands and Ireland began the tournament on July 26 at Fratton Park, Portsmouth. Faas Wilkes, the famous Dutch international, scoring two goals in a 3-1 win. In the first round, which began five days later, the Dutch would play Great Britain at Highbury. The game only came alive in extra-time; 5 goals coming in the added time; Britain prevailing by the odd goal in eight. In goal Ronnie Simpson, both the youngest League debutant and oldest Scottish international in history; a Lisbon Lion, held firm while the goals flew in. July 26 is the 207th day (208th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 158 days remaining. ... Fratton Park is the home stadium of Portsmouth F.C., and is situated in the English city-port of Portsmouth. ... Portsmouth is a city of about 189,000 people located in the county of Hampshire on the southern coast of Great Britain. ... Servaas Faas Wilkes (born October 13, 1923 in Rotterdam) is a former Dutch football (soccer) player. ... Highbury Clock is located just north of Highbury Fields, near the junction of Highbury Barn and Highbury Hill. ... Ronnie Simpson (1930 - 2004) was a Scottish soccer goalkeeper. ...

Elsewhere the Yugoslavs (victors over Luxembourg) and Sweden (3-0 winners against Austria) were the most impressive. Sweden's play at White Hart Lane attracted much attention even then. Their forward line contained three exceptional players; one of them Gunnar Gren scored a brace in an easy win. There were two goals, as well, for future FIFA World Cup star Zeljko Cajkovski in Yugoslavia's 6-1 rout of Luxembourg, although they were behind at half-time. There were future World Cup stars also on parade in Korea's 5-3 defeat of Mexico and the USA's 9-0 defeat at the hands of Italy. Walter Bahr, Eddie Souza, Charlie Colombo and John 'Clarkie' Souza would, later, find some sort of fame as members of the American team that would humble the English World Cup team in 1950 FIFA World Cup. Yugoslav was an ethnic designation used by some people in former Yugoslavia, which continues to be used in some of its successor countries. ... For the railway station of the same name, see White Hart Lane railway station. ... Gunnar Gren. ... The FIFA World Cup Trophy, which has been awarded to the world champions since 1974. ... Korea (Korean: (조선 or 한국, see below) is a geographic area, civilization, and former state situated on the Korean Peninsula in East Asia. ... Walter Alfred Bahr (born April 1, 1927 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is considered one of the greatest American soccer players ever. ... Qualifying countries The 1950 FIFA World Cup was the only one not decided by a knockout final. ...

In the quarter-finals, Sweden flourished against the Koreans and were similarly dominant against the Danes in the semi-final. In the second semi-final Britain played Yugoslavia at [{Wembley]] going out by 3 goals to 1.

And 3-1 was the score in the final, Gunnar Nordahl and Gunnar Gren's goals proving too much for the Yugoslavians. Gunnar Nordahl (October 19, 1921 - September 15, 1995) was a Swedish football player, best known for his play in AC Milan 1949-1956. ... Gunnar Gren. ...