Gyula Grosics

Gyula Grosics (Hungarian pronunciation: [ˈɟulɒ ˈɡroʃit͡ʃ]; 4 February 1926 – 13 June 2014) was a Hungarian football goalkeeper who played 86 times for the Hungary national football team and was part of the "Golden Team" of the 1950s. Regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time, he was thought to be the first goalkeeper to play as the sweeper-keeper.[2] Grosics was nicknamed "Black Panther" (Hungarian: Fekete Párduc), because he wore black clothing while playing.[3] He won a gold medal in football at the 1952 Summer Olympics.[4][5]

The native form of this personal name is Grosics Gyula. This article uses Western name order when mentioning individuals.

Gyula Grosics
Grosics in 2005
Personal information
Date of birth 4 February 1926
Place of birth Dorog, Hungary
Date of death 13 June 2014(2014-06-13) (aged 88)
Place of death Budapest, Hungary
Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)[1]
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1945–1947 Dorogi Bányász 61 (0)
1947–1949 MATEOSZ Budapest 55 (0)
1949–1950 Teherfuvar 30 (0)
1950–1957 Budapest Honvéd FC 125 (0)
1957–1962 Tatabánya Bányász SC 123 (0)
2008 Ferencvárosi TC 1 (0)
Total 394 (0)
National team
1947–1962 Hungary 86 (0)
Teams managed
1963 Tatabánya Bányász SC
1964–1965 Salgótarjáni BTC
1966 KSI
1966–1968 Kuwait
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Early life

Gyula Grosics was born 4 February 1926 in Dorog, Hungary. Growing up, his mother encouraged him to be a priest. Instead, Grosics began his professional football career in Dorog, playing for Dorogi Bányász in 1943. During World War II, he briefly fought for the Axis and was captured by American forces.[6]

Career

In 1947, Grosics made his debut with the Hungary national football team. With the rather short[7] Grosics in the goal, the team started an unbeaten streak in 1948 that would last until the 1954 FIFA World Cup.[3] In 1949, he attempted to defect and was caught. He was charged with espionage and treason by the secret service and placed under house arrest. The charges were eventually dropped due to lack of evidence, but Grosics was banned from the national team for two years. However, after a year he returned to the national team.[8] He also joined the Budapest Honvéd FC in 1950.[6]

In 1952, Grosics led the team to Olympic gold. In 1953, Hungary beat England in a game dubbed "The Match of the Century".[3] Hungary won 6–3, becoming the first team outside the British Isles to beat England at home.[8] He was selected as the goalkeeper of the 1954 World Cup's All Star Team.

Hungary entered the 1954 FIFA World Cup on a four-year unbeaten streak and as heavy favorites. However, the team lost in the final 3–2 to West Germany, a team they defeated 8–3 in the group stage.[8] Grosics was selected as the Team of the Tournament goalkeeper.[9] By 1956, Hungary had recorded 42 victories with Grosics in goal, 7 draws, and just that one loss. During the 1956 Hungarian Revolution, Grosics and his family fled the country and attempted to start a new life. However, they were forced to return. Grosics then transferred to Tatabánya Bányász SC.[8]

The national team went into decline, but made the 1958 and 1962 World Cups with Grosics in goal.[3][8] When he was banned from transferring to Ferencvárosi TC after the 1962 season by the Communist Hungarian Sports Ministry, he retired.[8][10] In total, Grosics played 86 games for the national team. He played in 390 Hungary first division games.[3] In 2011, the Tatabánya football stadium was named after him.[8]

Style of play

Grosics is credited with developing the "sweeper-keeper" style of play, whereby the goalkeeper can act as an extra defender when needed.[3] This also allowed his teammates to press deep in their opponents' half, plus Grosics' willingness to come out and challenge opposing attackers caused them to miss shots on net.[11][12]

Later life

After retiring, Grosics went into coaching. During his career, he held positions with several Hungarian teams and the Kuwait national football team.[13] When Hungary became a democracy in 1990, Grosics unsuccessfully ran for parliament under the Hungarian Democratic Forum.[6]

In 2008, Grosics was given the opportunity to play for Ferencvárosi TC,[14] 46 years after being barred from signing with them. The 82-year-old Grosics performed the kick-off in a friendly match against Sheffield United. He was then substituted as the crowd gave a standing ovation.[10][15]

Death

Grosics died on 13 June 2014 after suffering from cardiac and lung problems. He was 88 years old.[3]

Honours

Club

International

Individual

References
  1. "Gyula Grosics". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
  2. "The 50 Greatest Goalkeepers in History". Bleacher Report. 27 September 2013. Retrieved 28 September 2015.
  3. "Hungary's greatest goalkeeper Gyula Grosics dies at 88". BiharPrabha.com. IANS. 13 June 2014. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
  4. Gyula Grosics, Sports-Reference / Olympic Sports. Retrieved 2019-03-03.
  5. FIFA.com. "Welcome to FIFA.com News - Genius Grosics finds late fulfilment - FIFA.com". www.fifa.com. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
  6. "Gyula Grosics, innovative goalkeeper of Hungary's Golden Team of 1950s, dies at 88". Fox News. AP. 13 June 2014. Retrieved 14 June 2014.
  7. Goalkeepers who belied their size - FIFA
  8. Fazekas, Zoltan (13 June 2014). "'Magical Magyars' goalkeeper Gyula Grosics dies aged 88". Reuters. Retrieved 14 June 2014.
  9. "1954 All-Star Team of the Tournament". Soccermond. Retrieved 14 June 2014.
  10. "Blades share Magyar honour". Sheffield United F.C. 31 March 2008. Archived from the original on 28 April 2008.
  11. "Why Manuel Neuer was the best player at the 2014 World Cup". The Score. 14 July 2014. Archived from the original on 28 July 2014. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  12. FIFA.com. "Welcome to FIFA.com News - Goalkeepers who belied their size - FIFA.com". www.fifa.com. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
  13. Elhunyt Grosics Gyula (Obituary) Archived 30 September 2014 at the Wayback Machine - FC Tatabanya (in Hungarian)
  14. http://www.tempofradi.hu/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/grosics-igazolas.jpg
  15. Genius Grosics finds late fulfilment - FIFA
  16. "Hungarian football players of the Year". Retrieved 24 September 2015.
  17. "ERIC BATTY’S WORLD XI – THE SIXTIES" Retrieved on 29 November 2015
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