Ladislao Kubala Stecz (born June 10, 1927, Budapest; died May 17, 2002, Barcelona), also referred to as Kubala László or Ladislav Kubala, is a former footballer and manager who played as a forward with various European clubs including Ferencváros TC, ŠK Slovan Bratislava, Vasas SC, CF Barcelona and RCD Español. He also played for three different national teams, Czechoslovakia, Hungary and Spain, as well as a Europe XI and the Catalan XI. During the 1950s he was a leading member of the successful CF Barcelona team. During his playing career with that club he scored 256 goals in 329 appearances. In 1999, during the club's centenary celebrations, a fans' poll declared him the best player ever to play for the club. After retiring as a player he began a career as coach. He had two spells as coach of FC Barcelona and he also coached both the senior Spain national team and the Spain Olympic Team. June 10 is the 161st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (162nd in leap years), with 204 days remaining. ... 1927 (MCMXXVII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar). ... Nickname: Paris of the East, Pearl of the Danubeor Queen of the Danube Location of Budapest in Hungary Country Hungary County Pest Mayor Gábor Demszky (SZDSZ) Area    - City 525,16 km²  - Land n/a km²  - Water n/a km² Population    - City (2006) 1,695,000  - Density 3570/km... May 17 is the 137th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (138th in leap years). ... For album titles with the same name, see 2002 (album). ... Location Coordinates : Time Zone : CET (GMT +1) - summer: CEST (GMT +2) General information Native name Barcelona (Catalan) Spanish name Barcelona Postal code 08001-08080 Area code 34 (Spain) + 93 (Barcelona) Website http://www. ... European redirects here. ... Ferencvárosi Torna Club (FTC), perhaps better known as Ferencváros, nicknamed as Fradi, is the most popular Hungarian sports club, founded in 1899. ... Club Crest SK Slovan Bratislava is a Slovak football team, based in Bratislava. ... Vasas SC is a Hungarian football club from Budapest. ... Futbol Club Barcelona, popularly known as Barça, is a sports club based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. ... RCD Espanyol de Barcelona (Spanish: Real Club Deportivo Español is a Spanish football club based in Barcelona, Spain. ... Catalonia and Basque Country teams playing in Camp Nou Catalonia national football team represents the Autonomous Community of Catalonia, Spain, and is managed by the Catalan Football Federation. ... The 1950s was the decade spanning the years 1950 to 1959. ... Futbol Club Barcelona, popularly known as Barça, is a sports club based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. ... Futbol Club Barcelona, popularly known as Barça, is a sports club based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. ... First international Spain 1 - 0 Denmark (Brussels, Belgium; 28 August 1920) Largest win Spain 13 - 0 Bulgaria (Madrid, Spain; 21 May 1933) Worst defeat Italy 7 - 1 Spain (Amsterdam, Netherlands; 4 June 1928) England 7 - 1 Spain (London, England; 9 December 1931) World Cup Appearances 12 (First in 1934) Best... First International U-23: Yugoslavia 3-0 Spain Novi Sad, June 18, 1969 U-21:Yugoslavia 4-1 Spain Zagreb, October 9, 1976 Largest win Spain 14-0 San Marino El Ejido, February 8, 2005 Worst defeat Netherlands 5-0 Spain Utrecht, February 16, 1983 Records for competitive matches only. ...

Early life and career

Kubala was born in Budapest, into a Slovakian family. His mother, a factory worker, was of Hungarian and Slovak descent while his father who was a bricklayer was of Polish and Slovak origin. He began his career as a junior player with Ganz TE, a factory that played in the Hungarian third division. At the age of 11 he was playing in teams with other players who were three to five years older. At the age of 18 he signed for Ferencváros TC where he was a teammate of Sándor Kocsis. In 1946 he moved to Czechoslovakia, allegedly to avoid military service, and joined ŠK Slovan Bratislava. In 1947 Kubala married Anna Viola Daucik, the daughter of the ŠK coach, Ferdinand Daučík. In 1948 he returned to Hungary, again to allegedly avoid military service, and joined Vasas SC. Nickname: Paris of the East, Pearl of the Danubeor Queen of the Danube Location of Budapest in Hungary Country Hungary County Pest Mayor Gábor Demszky (SZDSZ) Area    - City 525,16 km²  - Land n/a km²  - Water n/a km² Population    - City (2006) 1,695,000  - Density 3570/km... Motto: none Anthem: Nad Tatrou sa blýska (Lightning Over the Tatras) Capital Bratislava Largest city Bratislava Official language(s) Slovak Government Parliamentary democracy  - President Ivan GaÅ¡parovič  - Prime Minister Robert Fico Independence From Czechoslovakia   - Date January 1, 1993[1]  Accession to EU May 1, 2004 Area    - Total 49,036... Ferencvárosi Torna Club (FTC), perhaps better known as Ferencváros, nicknamed as Fradi, is the most popular Hungarian sports club, founded in 1899. ... Sándor Kocsis (born September 21, 1929 in Budapest; died July 22, 1979) was a Hungarian football striker, who ranks fourth all-time with seventy five international goals (in only sixty eight caps). ... Club Crest SK Slovan Bratislava is a Slovak football team, based in Bratislava. ... Fernando Daucik ( born 1910, Czechoslovakia), also known as Ferdinand Daucik, was a professional football player and manager. ... Vasas SC is a Hungarian football club from Budapest. ...

Refugee

In January 1949, as Hungary became a communist state, Kubala fled the country in the back of a truck. Initially he arrived in the US zone in Austria and then moved onto Italy. While their he played briefly for Pro Patria. In May 1949 he also agreed to play for Torino in a testimonial against SL Benfica but pulled out after his son became ill. On the way back from Lisbon the plane carrying the Torino team crashed into the Superga hills, killing all 31 people on board. The Peoples Republic of Hungary was the name used by Hungary from 1949 to 1989 during its Communist period. ... Pro Patria Calcio is an Italian football club, based in Busto Arsizio, Lombardy. ... Torino Calcio is one of the most popular Italian football clubs, based in Turin. ... Benfica redirects here. ... Location    - Country Portugal    - Region Lisbon  - Subregion Grande Lisboa  - District or A.R. Lisbon Mayor Carmona Rodrigues  - Party PSD Area 84. ... The Superga air disaster happened on Wednesday, May 4, 1949, when a plane carrying almost the entire Grande Torino squad (18 players), plus management, journalists and crew, crashed into the Superga hills near Turin, killing everyone on board. ...

Meanwhile the Hungarian Football Federation accused him of breach of contract, leaving the country without permission and failure to do military service. FIFA backed them and imposed a one-year international ban. In January 1950 Kubala, with Ferdinand Daučík as coach, formed his own team Hungaria. The team was made up of fellow refugees fleeing Eastern Europe. In the summer of 1950 the team arrived in Spain to play a series of friendlies against a Madrid Select XI, a Spain XI and RCD Español. Categories: Football (soccer) stubs | Football (soccer) governing bodies | Hungarian football ... The Fédération Internationale de Football Association, known worldwide by its acronym FIFA, is the international governing body of Football (soccer) and the largest sporting organization in the world. ... Fernando Daucik ( born 1910, Czechoslovakia), also known as Ferdinand Daucik, was a professional football player and manager. ... Eastern Europe is the eastern region of Europe variably defined. ... First international Spain 1 - 0 Denmark (Brussels, Belgium; 28 August 1920) Largest win Spain 13 - 0 Bulgaria (Madrid, Spain; 21 May 1933) Worst defeat Italy 7 - 1 Spain (Amsterdam, Netherlands; 4 June 1928) England 7 - 1 Spain (London, England; 9 December 1931) World Cup Appearances 12 (First in 1934) Best... RCD Espanyol de Barcelona (Spanish: Real Club Deportivo Español is a Spanish football club based in Barcelona, Spain. ...

During these games, Kubala was spotted by both Real Madrid and Josep Samitier, then chief scout at CF Barcelona. Kubala was offered a contract by Real but was persuaded by Samitier to sign for CF Barcelona. It has been suggested that Samitier used his connections within the Franco regime to help arrange the transfer. In the midst of the Cold War, Kubala’s escape to the West was used as propaganda by the Franco regime and was made into a film The Stars Search for Peace which saw Kubala and Samitier playing themselves. Real Madrid Club de Fútbol is a Spanish sports club best known for its football team which was ranked as The 20th Centurys Best Club by FIFA. The club, which went in place of the Spanish FA, was also one of the founding members of FIFA. They play... El Sami, Josep Samitier Josep Samitier Vilalta, also known as José Samitier (b. ... Futbol Club Barcelona, popularly known as Barça, is a sports club based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. ... Francisco El Caudillo Franco. ... For other uses, please see Cold War (disambiguation). ...

CF Barcelona

Kubala signed for CF Barcelona on June 15 1950 and as part of the deal Ferdinand Daučík also became the CF Barcelona coach. However the ban imposed on Kubala was still in place and he did not make his La Liga debut until 1951. However he was permitted to play friendlies and in two consecutive games against Franfurter S.V., which CF Barcelona won 4-1 and 10-4, he scored six goals and set-up another five. He also played in the Copa del Generalísimo and helped the club win the trophy in 1951. Futbol Club Barcelona, popularly known as Barça, is a sports club based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. ... Fernando Daucik ( born 1910, Czechoslovakia), also known as Ferdinand Daucik, was a professional football player and manager. ... Liga de Fútbol Profesional, commonly known as La Liga or Primera Liga, is the professional football league in Spain and is widely regarded as one of the best leagues in the world. ... The Copa del Rey is an annual cup competition for Spanish football teams. ...

In his first season in Primera División, 1951-52, Kubala scored 26 goals in 19 games. This included 7 goals in a 9-0 win over Sporting de Gijón, 5 against Celta de Vigo and hat-tricks against Sevilla CF and Racing de Santander. He also scored in the Copa final as CF Barcelona beat Valencia CF 4-2. This season proved to be one of the clubs most successful. Coach Daucik and Kubala, together with players like Emilio Aldecoa, Velasco, Joan Segarra and Ramallets, inspired the team to win five different trophies including La Liga, the Copa del Generalisimo, the Copa Latina and the Copa Eva Duarte. Kubala missed much of the 1952/53 season after contracting tuberculosis, which threatened to end his playing career. However he made a miraculous recovery and returned to help CF Barcelona retain both La Liga and the Copa del Generalísimo. He also scored again in the Copa final win, a 2-1 win over Atlético Bilbao. Liga de Fútbol Profesional, commonly known as La Liga or Primera Liga, is the professional football league in Spain and is widely regarded as one of the best leagues in the world. ... Real Sporting de Gijón is a Spanish football team from Gijón (Asturias, Spain) formed on June 1, 1905. ... Real Club Celta de Vigo is a Spanish football team from Vigo in Galicia. ... Sevilla Fútbol Club is a Spanish professional football club who play in the top-flight Spanish La Liga championship. ... Real Racing Club de Santander, sometimes abbreviated to Racing, is a Spanish Primera División football club based in Santander which was founded in 1909 by Eduardo Pineda e. ... Valencia Club de Fútbol is a football team in the Spanish La Liga (Premier League). ... Emilio Aldecoa Gómez (November 30, 1922 - September 1999) was a Basque/Spanish professional footballer who played, mainly on the left-wing, in the English and Spanish football leagues and later managed in Spain and coached in England. ... Velasco, full name Juan Zambudio Velasco, (born 1921 in La Alquería, Murcia and dead 21 January of 2004 in Barcelona) was a Spanish football (soccer) goalkeeper, who played for Mollet and FC Barcelona. ... Joan Segarra Iracheta (born in Barcelona,November 15, 1927) was a Spanish footballer, captain of the Barça of the Five Trophies, one of the best teams that FC Barcelona have had in their history. ... Toni Ramallets Antoni Ramallets Simón, (born 04 June 1924 in Barcelona) was a Catalan/Spanish football (soccer) goalkeeper, who played for CE Europa, San Fernando, RCD Mallorca, Real Valladolid and, most important, FC Barcelona. ... Liga de Fútbol Profesional, commonly known as La Liga or Primera Liga, is the professional football league in Spain and is widely regarded as one of the best leagues in the world. ... The Copa del Rey is an annual cup competition for Spanish football teams. ... The Latin Cup was an international football tournament for club sides from France, Italy, Spain and Portugal. ... The Supercopa de España is a Spanish football championship contested by the winners of the La Liga and the Copa del Rey. ... Tuberculosis (abbreviated as TB for Tubercle Bacillus) is a common and deadly infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which most commonly affects the lungs (pulmonary TB) but can also affect the central nervous system, lymphatic system, circulatory system, genitourinary system, bones and joints. ... Liga de Fútbol Profesional, commonly known as La Liga or Primera Liga, is the professional football league in Spain and is widely regarded as one of the best leagues in the world. ... The Copa del Rey is an annual cup competition for Spanish football teams. ... Athletic Club is a Basque football club from Bilbao in Vizcaya (in Basque, Bizkaia). ...

In 1958 Kubala persuaded two fellow Hungarian refugees, Sándor Kocsis and Zoltán Czibor to join him at CF Barcelona and together with a young Luis Suárez and Evaristo, they formed the nucleus of the team that won a La Liga/Copa del Generalísimo double in 1959 and a Spanish League/Fairs Cup double in 1960. However Kubala found himself out of favour with coach Helenio Herrera and lost his place in the team. As a result he missed the 1960 European Cup semi-final against Real Madrid which CF Barcelona lost 6-2 on aggregate. The result saw Herrera lose his job and Kubala restored to the team. In the 1961 European Cup, CF Barcelona became the first club to beat Real Madrid in the competition. Inspired by Kubala they won 4-3 on aggregate and subsequently reached the final were they lost to SL Benfica 3-2. Kubala briefly retired as a player in 1961 and initially became a youth coach at CF Barcelona before becoming coach of the senior team for the 1962/63 season. However after losing a Fairs Cup game to Red Star Belgrade he was dismissed. Sándor Kocsis (born September 21, 1929 in Budapest; died July 22, 1979) was a Hungarian football striker, who ranks fourth all-time with seventy five international goals (in only sixty eight caps). ... Zoltán Czibor (23 August 1929 - 1 September 1997) was a Hungarian footballer from the Magic Magyars era. ... Luis Suárez Miramontes (born May 2nd , 1935 in A Coruña, Galicia, Spain) is a Spanish football player and manager. ... Evaristo de Macedo Filho (born June 22, 1933 in Rio de Janeiro) is a former Brazilian footballer currently working as a coach. ... Liga de Fútbol Profesional, commonly known as La Liga or Primera Liga, is the professional football league in Spain and is widely regarded as one of the best leagues in the world. ... The Copa del Rey is an annual cup competition for Spanish football teams. ... Liga de Fútbol Profesional, commonly known as La Liga or Primera Liga, is the professional football league in Spain and is widely regarded as one of the best leagues in the world. ... The second Inter-Cities Fairs Cup took place between 1958 and 1960 and was won by FC Barcelona for the second consecutive time in a two-legged final against Birmingham City. ... Helenio Herrera, (born April 17, 1916 in Buenos Aires; died November 9, 1997 in Venice) was a football defender and after ending his playing carrer became one of the most influencial managers in the history of the game. ... The season 1959-60 of the European Cup football club tournament was won by Real Madrid for the fifth consecutive time in a memorable final in Glasgow against Eintracht Frankfurt. ... Real Madrid Club de Fútbol is a Spanish sports club best known for its football team which was ranked as The 20th Centurys Best Club by FIFA. The club, which went in place of the Spanish FA, was also one of the founding members of FIFA. They play... The season 1960-61 of the European Cup football club tournament was won by SL Benfica for the first time in a tight final against FC Barcelona. ... Real Madrid Club de Fútbol is a Spanish sports club best known for its football team which was ranked as The 20th Centurys Best Club by FIFA. The club, which went in place of the Spanish FA, was also one of the founding members of FIFA. They play... Benfica redirects here. ... The third Inter-Cities Fairs Cup was played over the 1962-63 season. ... (Serbian Cyrillic: Фудбалски клуб Црвена звезда, English: Red Star Football Club) is a football club from Belgrade, the capital city of Serbia. ...

International career

Kubala played for three different international teams - Czechoslovakia, Hungary and Spain. While playing with ŠK Slovan Bratislava, he also played 6 times and scored 4 goals for Czechoslovakia between 1946 and 1947. After returning to Budapest in 1948, he played 3 games for Hungary but failed to score. After adopting Spanish nationality he played 19 times and scored 11 goals for Spain between 1953 and 1961. The highlight of his international career was a hat-trick for Spain against Turkey in 3-0 win in November 1957. Despite playing for three different countries, Kubala never played in the finals of a major international tournament. He was included in the Spain squad for the 1962 World Cup but, along with Alfredo Di Stéfano, he did not play due to injury. Club Crest SK Slovan Bratislava is a Slovak football team, based in Bratislava. ... // Group A USSR Head coach: Gavril Kačalin Yugoslavia Head coach: Prvoslav Mihajlovič Uruguay Head coach: Juan Carlos Corazzo Colombia Head coach: Adolfo Pedernera Group B West Germany Head coach: Josef Herberger Chile Head coach: Fernando Riera Italy Head coach: Paolo Mazza/Giovanni Ferrari Switzerland Head coach: Karl Rappan Group... Alfredo Di Stéfano (born July 4, 1926 in Barracas, Buenos Aires) is an Argentine-born former footballer and coach, acknowledged as one of the greatest players in the history of the game. ...

As well as playing for three different international teams, Kubala also played for both a Europe XI and the Catalan XI. On October 21 1953, England played a Europe XI at Wembley Stadium to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the FA and Kubala scored twice in the 4-4 draw. He also played 4 games and scored 4 times for the Catalan XI. On January 26 1955 in a game against Bologna at Les Corts, he was joined by guest player Alfredo Di Stéfano. The Catalan XI won 6-2 with two goals from Kubala and one from Di Stéfano. His last game for the Catalan XI was his own testimonial on March 4 1993 at the Montjuic against an International XI. He played the opening ten minutes of the game. Catalonia and Basque Country teams playing in Camp Nou Catalonia national football team represents the Autonomous Community of Catalonia, Spain, and is managed by the Catalan Football Federation. ... First international Scotland 0 - 0 England (Partick, Scotland; 30 November 1872) Largest win Ireland 0 - 13 England (Belfast, Ireland; 18 February 1882) Worst defeat Hungary 7 - 1 England (Budapest, Hungary; 23 May 1954) World Cup Appearances 12 (First in 1950) Best result Winners, 1966 European Championship Appearances 7 (First in... Wembley Stadium is a football stadium located in Wembley, London. ... The Football Association (The FA) is the governing body of football in England (and the Crown dependencies of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man). ... Bologna Football Club 1909 is an Italian football club based in Bologna, Emilia-Romagna, nicknamed the rossoblù. They play in red and blue striped shirts with blue shorts and socks. ... Camp de Les Corts, commonly referred to as Les Corts was a multi-use stadium in Barcelona, Spain. ... Alfredo Di Stéfano (born July 4, 1926 in Barracas, Buenos Aires) is an Argentine-born former footballer and coach, acknowledged as one of the greatest players in the history of the game. ... Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys The Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys (also known as the Estadi Olimpic de Montjuïc) is a stadium in Barcelona. ...

Coaching career

After leaving CF Barcelona, Kubala accepted a contract as a player/coach with RCD Español and teamed up with Alfredo Di Stéfano. During his time at RCD Español he gave a La Liga debut to his son, Branko. In 1966 he joined FC Zürich, again as player/coach, and made his last appearance in a European Cup game against the competitions eventual winners, Celtic. In 1967 Kubala went to Canada, where at Toronto Falcons he enjoyed something of family reunion with his father-in-law, Ferdinand Daučík, his brother-in-law, Yanko Daucik and his son Branko. In 1968 he joined Toronto City where he finally retired as a player. Futbol Club Barcelona, popularly known as Barça, is a sports club based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. ... RCD Espanyol de Barcelona (Spanish: Real Club Deportivo Español is a Spanish football club based in Barcelona, Spain. ... Alfredo Di Stéfano (born July 4, 1926 in Barracas, Buenos Aires) is an Argentine-born former footballer and coach, acknowledged as one of the greatest players in the history of the game. ... Liga de Fútbol Profesional, commonly known as La Liga or Primera Liga, is the professional football league in Spain and is widely regarded as one of the best leagues in the world. ... Fussballclub Zürich (or FCZ) is a football club from Zurich, Switzerland, founded 1896. ... The season 1966-67 of the European Cup football club tournament was won by Celtic F.C. in a tremendous final victory against Internazionale. ... Celtic Football Club (pronounced seltik, in IPA) AIM: CCP is a Scottish football club, competing in the Scottish Premier League, the highest form of competition in Scotland. ... The Toronto Falcons were a soccer team based out of Toronto that played in the NASL. They played only one year, 1967. ... Fernando Daucik ( born 1910, Czechoslovakia), also known as Ferdinand Daucik, was a professional football player and manager. ... Yanko Daucik Ciboch (born Prague, Czechoslovakia, March 22, 1941) was a professional football player during the 1960s and 1970s. ... Toronto City was a soccer team based out of Toronto, Ontario that played in the United Soccer Association. ...

By the end of 1968 he had returned to La Liga, and after a brief spell at Cordoba CF, he became coach of Spain. Kubala ended the team's 12-year absence from the World Cup in when he guided the team to the 1978 World Cup, but he could not steer them through the first-round group stage. He also managed them at Euro 80, where they again went out in the first round. Liga de Fútbol Profesional, commonly known as La Liga or Primera Liga, is the professional football league in Spain and is widely regarded as one of the best leagues in the world. ... Córdoba Club de Fútbol is a football team based in Córdoba in the autonomous community of Andalusia. ... Below are the rosters for the 1978 FIFA World Cup tournament in Argentina. ... The 1980 European Football Championship (Euro 80) final tournament was held in Italy. ...

In 1980 he returned to FC Barcelona as a manager for a second short spell before moving to Saudi Arabia where he managed Al-Hilal. He subsequently managed three other La Liga clubs before coaching the Spain Olympic Team at the 1992 Olympic Games. His last coaching position was with Paraguay in 1995. Futbol Club Barcelona, popularly known as Barça, is a sports club based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. ... Al-Hilal (Arabic: الهلال) is a Saudi Arabian professional football club based in the countrys capital of Riyadh. ... Liga de Fútbol Profesional, commonly known as La Liga or Primera Liga, is the professional football league in Spain and is widely regarded as one of the best leagues in the world. ... First International U-23: Yugoslavia 3-0 Spain Novi Sad, June 18, 1969 U-21:Yugoslavia 4-1 Spain Zagreb, October 9, 1976 Largest win Spain 14-0 San Marino El Ejido, February 8, 2005 Worst defeat Netherlands 5-0 Spain Utrecht, February 16, 1983 Records for competitive matches only. ... Final results for the Football competition at the 1992 Summer Olympics. ...

Honours

CF Barcelona

• Inter-Cities Fairs Cup: 2
  • 1958, 1960

• Copa Latina: 1
  • 1952

• Spanish Champions: 4
  • 1952, 1953, 1959, 1960

• Copa del Generalísimo: 5
  • 1951, 1952, 1953, 1957, 1959

• Copa Eva Duarte: 2
  • 1952, 1953

The Inter-Cities Fairs Cup was a European football competition played between 1955 and 1970. ... The Latin Cup was an international football tournament for club sides from France, Italy, Spain and Portugal. ... Liga de Fútbol Profesional, commonly known as La Liga or Primera Liga, is the professional football league in Spain and is widely regarded as one of the best leagues in the world. ... The Copa del Rey is an annual cup competition for Spanish football teams. ... The Supercopa de España is a Spanish football championship contested by the winners of the La Liga and the Copa del Rey. ...

External links

• Hungarian Bio with stats and pics
• International Stats
• Spain player stats
• Spain manager stats
• La Liga manager stats
• Kubala at www.fcbarcelona.com
• Discussion at Rsssf
• UEFA Award
• UEFA Obituary