The legendary feat of the young Lazio boys in Vienna
- Dag Jenkins
- Jun 11, 2024
- 3 min read
U14 Friendly
Sunday, June 11, 1933
Praterstadion, Vienna
Wacker Vienna-Lazio 1-1
This is a story which has never been forgotten at Lazio.
Lazio had only recently started an under 14s youth team. In 1932 it was the Austrian manager Karl Stürmer who decided it was time Lazio should try and groom some talent of their own. Stürmer was also the manager who had beaten Roma for the first time ever (mind you the Giallorossi were only founded in 1927).
The "microbi" (microbes) as the young lads were called trained twice a week, learning tactics and sportsmanship. They started to do well with positive results around Italy.
It was a great honour when only a year later in 1933 Lazio's U14s were invited to Vienna by the great Hugo Meisl (the man behind the Austrian "wunderteam" of the 1930's, one of the best sides in the world at the time) to play a friendly against the Wacker boys team. The event would take place before an international match between Austria and Belgium.
The Wacker boys were older and physically a lot stronger. They were an excellent team and accustomed to winning with margins of several goals. Nobody gave the Lazio boys much chance today.
The Lazio party left by train and were seen off by a small crowd.
There were 50,000 spectators present at the Prater. The first event had been an athletics meeting between Austria and Czechoslovakia, now it was the Lazio boys' turn, a daunting atmosphere for them.
The game consisted of two halves of twenty-five minutes. Physically it looked like a mismatch as the Lazio boys were all between 11 and 13 but the big crowd soon realised they could play football.
In the 7th minute Lazio surprisingly took the lead. Armando Longhi had a shot parried by Stümbod and Alessandro Capponi was the quickest on the rebound and put Lazio ahead.
The "Knirpse" (little kids) were under shock but piled forward using their extra height and weight to force Lazio on the defensive. Their biggest chance came on a free kick when midfielder Jarolim hit the crossbar.
Lazio however held their own and were quicker but also looked more skilful than the hosts. Halftime came with Lazio unexpectedly 1-0 up.
In the second half the Viennese equalised in the 5th minute when Jarolim poked the ball in a crowded area and beat Corrado Giubilo.
Those who now expected an onslaught would be disappointed as Lazio, despite defending more, put on a fine performance and held on for a 1-1 draw.
The crowd took these little Italian kids to heart and they were applauded enthusiastically off the field. They had made up for the difference in age and strength by being more agile and playing with good technique, keeping the ball on the ground with accurate passes. The Viennese were surprised and impressed.
The Italian minister in Vienna was also impressed and proud and he went down to the changing rooms to compliment the Lazio boys on their positive and brave performance.
The international game then ended with a 4-1 Austrian win but the general consensus was that the boys' game had been more entertaining
On their return to Rome they were welcomed as heroes by a big crowd at Termini station, with the first team present too. The following day the local newspapers gave ample space to the Lazio boys' feat. They became forever known as the "pulcini" (chicks) of the Prater.
It is a story which has never been forgotten at Lazio.
Who played for Wacker Vienna
Stumböd (Reichsbund), Luttig, Lindner, Günther, Marschall, Buchberger, Wintler, Bollatfchel, Reitermaner, Jarolim, Aucharstn
Who played for Lazio
Giubilo, Giovanardi (26' Bartoli), Palombini, Di Santo, Cobelli, Palma, Mancini, A. Longhi I, Vettraino, O. Longhi II, Capponi
Referee: Sigmund
Goals: 7' Capponi, 30' Jarolim
Some of the boys went on to play for Lazio:
Corrado Giubilo - 47 games
Italo Cobelli - 1 league game (died prematurely at 21)
Armando Palma - 1 league game
Giuseppe Mancini - 48 games (10 goals)
Armando Longhi - 23 games (9 goals)
Luigi Vettraino - 64 league games (14 goals), 9 Coppa Italia games (4 goals)
Alessandro Capponi - 27 games (10 goals)
Also in today' squad:
Renato Ferrarese - 35 games
Alessandro Ferri - 140 games (1 goal)
Vittorio Dagianti - 28 games (5 goals)
Elvezio D'Orazi - 9 league games (2 goals)
Vettraino, Ferrarese, Ferri, Dagianti and D'Orazi would then also play in the winning derby of 1940 when on May 26 Lazio defeated Roma with an Enrique Flamini goal.
Sources
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