This week in Olympic history: 10-16 June – Uruguay win back-to-back men’s football golds
Olympics.com explores the week in Olympic sports history, highlighting Olympians' birthdays and notable sporting events from 10 to 16 June.
Welcome to This Week in Olympic Sports History, where Olympics.com remembers the most significant sports events of the past. This week, we'll be covering 10-16 June.
On this day - 13 June 1928: Uruguay defend men’s football title
Before Brazil, Germany and Italy, Uruguay were the kings of men’s football. In the first half of the early 20th century, they won two World Cups and two Olympic golds, the first of which came 100 years ago in Paris.
Their renowned ‘garra charrúa’ style of play, whose name comes from a historic indigenous group in Uruguay, stunned their European counterparts en route to gold at Paris 1924. Four years later, at Amsterdam 1928, they returned to defend their Olympic men’s football title, this time with an enhanced reputation and with even more excitement surrounding them.
After defeating hosts Netherlands, trouncing Germany, and prevailing over Italy, La Celeste faced their first non-European opponent of the tournament: fierce rivals Argentina. A sellout crowd was present to witness a fiery South American derby in the Dutch capital.
In the final on 10 June 1928, the two sides could not be separated after extra time, ending in a 1-1 draw and forcing a rematch three days later at the same venue, the Olympic Stadium.
Another tight encounter seemed to be heading for the same result, but with 15 minutes to play, Hector Scarone netted the winner to settle the final and earn gold once again for Uruguay. They had successfully defended their men’s football title in style, the second nation to do so after Great Britain won gold at London 1908 and Stockholm 1912.
The famous Uruguayan side went on to win the inaugural FIFA World Cup in 1930, then their second World Cup and fourth world championship in 1950; Uruguay’s two Olympic golds of the pre-World Cup era are recognised by FIFA as official world championships, crowning the nation’s golden era of men’s football.
Quote of the Week | Eduardo Galeano (1940-2015), famed Uruguayan poet
"The authors of the miracles of '24 and '28 were workers and wanderers who got nothing from football but the pleasure of playing".
Notable Olympic birthdays: 10-16 June
- Ralf Schumann (Germany, Shooting, three-time Olympic champion) born 10 June 1962)
- Hadi Saei (Islamic Republic of Iran, Taekwondo, two-time Olympic champion) born 10 June 1976
- Thomas Bimis (Greece, Diving, Olympic champion) born 11 June 1975
- Jessica Fox (Australia, Canoe Slalom, Olympic champion) born 11 June 1994
- Diana Taurasi (USA, Basketball, five-time Olympic champion) born 11 June 1982
- Christine Sinclair (Canada, Football, Olympic champion) born 12 June 1983
- Kenenisa Bekele (Ethiopia, Athletics, three-time Olympic champion) born 13 June 1982
- Kaori Ichō (Japan, Wrestling, four-time Olympic champion) born 13 June 1984
- Carolina Marín (Spain, Badminton, Olympic champion) born 15 June 1993)
- Joseph Schooling (Singapore, Swimming, Olympic champion) born 16 June 1995
Make sure to check back on Olympics.com next week for more sports and Olympic history.