Karl Koller (footballer)

Karl Koller ( born February 9, 1929 in Hölles, now Matze -Hölles, Lower Austria, † 24 January 2009 in Baden bei Wien ) was an Austrian football player. He is considered by Ernst Ocwirk as one of the best Austrian midfielder and has been awarded, among others, the IFFHS as one of the 100 best European footballer of the 20th century. The national team completed 86 games for the team and participated in two World Cups and European Championships. The highlight of the career of the Vienna legend is true the 3rd place at the 1954 World Cup in Switzerland. On January 24, 2009 Koller died of complications from Alzheimer's disease.

Career

World Championships in 1954 and 1958

Karl Koller started his football career in Dobling in Vienna, where he made his debut in the championship in 1949. Already in 1952 succeeded Karl Koller jump into the national team, where he was able to convince in his first operations against Belgium ( 2-0) and Ireland ( 6-0 ). So he went as one of the regulars to the World Cup ( World Cup ) 1954 in Switzerland and formed together with the Austrianer Ernst Ocwirk the Austrian midfield. In Switzerland, the Austrian team achieved a sensational third place, with Karl Koller by playing in all matches.

The following season, the combative midfielder was able to achieve with the Vienna his first national title. With the Vienna he triumphed in the championship points equal before the WSC. With the national team, Karl Koller made ​​after successful World Cup qualifying in 1958 on the way to Sweden. However, Austria caught with England, Brazil and the then Soviet Union strong in a tough group. So the end for the Austrians came already in the group stage, but you could sell well. When hard-fought 2-2 draw against England, where Austria was allowed to lead twice, Karl Koller also scored one of his rare Team Goals.

End of career within the team and with the Vienna

With the Vienna it no longer wanted to work with a title: 1961 Karl Koller was with the team, both second in the championship and in the Cup. With the Austrian national team, he could not convince at the European Championships in 1960. The team failed in the quarterfinals at the French hosts. At Euro 1964, the blow came already in the second round by a defeat against Ireland. Karl Koller's career ended with the team missed the World Cup qualifier in 1966, the Austrian Association, unthinkable today, yet participation in the 1962 World Cup was canceled due to the high cost of travel to Chile. In the championship Koller played with the Blue - Yellow to 1965 and finished his career after 836 games and 101 goals for Vienna.

Karl Koller lived in Blumau- Neurißhof, where he owned an inn until 2000 and was also buried there in the local cemetery in a grave of honor in the community.

Stations

  • First Vienna FC (1949-1966)

Achievements

  • Participation World Cup 1954: 3rd place
  • Participation World Cup 1958: Group stage ( top 16 )
  • Participation Championship 1960: quarter-finals
  • Participation Championship 1964: Eighth
  • 86 (88 ) caps and 5 goals for the Austrian national football team from 1952 to 1965
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