World Cup 1930: 18 games, 70 goals and 1600 revolvers

The spectacle already started to take its course during the World Cup allocation in 1929, when in the end only Uruguay signed up to host the event.

But why? Because when it became known that the host country was to bear all the costs itself, the other applicants withdrew. In times of the world economic crisis at the end of the 1920s, no one else wanted to finance such an expensive spectacle.

There was no qualification for the World Cup - in fact, everyone who wanted to participate was welcome. When the registration period ended six months before the start of the game, there were just nine registrations.

There were no European registrations at that time. In addition to the long journey halfway around the world, Europeans were also bothered by the admission of professionals: soccer was primarily an amateur sport there.

So the FIFA president went on a door-knocking tour of Europe. Uruguay, too, left no stone unturned and even offered Spain and Italy money to participate. But even that was no use: two months before the start of the game, there was still no European participant.

Then, when the Latin Americans threatened to leave FIFA,

four European countries finally gave in: France, Belgium, Yugoslavia and Romania went to the World Cup.

France, Belgium and Romania embarked together on the 14-day cruise across the Atlantic.

To stay reasonably in shape, gymnastics exercises and jumping jacks were on the schedule every morning.

The Yugoslavian team even needed 21 days to get there.

For three of those days, the players travelled by train in 3rd class.

They slept on wooden benches.

Not only were savings made on the comfort of the journey: the Yugoslavs also did without a coach.

This probably also impacted the fitness of the players: Yugoslavian goalkeeper Jakcic arrived in South America with 16 kilos more on his ribs.

In Uruguay, July falls in the winter. Due to the sub-zero temperatures and weeks of continuous rain, the World Cup stadium was not ready in time. As a result, the opening games had to be played in different stadiums.

It was not until five days and eight games later that the tournament was officially opened with a ceremonial march of the teams into the World Cup stadium.

By this time, some countries had already been eliminated.

The games also offered all kinds of curiosities. In Argentina's match against France, the referee blew the whistle six minutes early - just as a Frenchman was running freely toward the Argentinian goal to score the tie.

In the semi-final between Yugoslavia and Uruguay, obvious offside goals were counted. But it got even more bizarre: A photographer allegedly crossed the ball from out of bounds into the penalty area, whereupon Uruguay scored. The goal was counted.

Lastly, the final between Uruguay and Argentina was on the agenda. The atmosphere before the game was so heated that the referee insisted on bodyguards behind both goals.

Gunshots in the stands

In Uruguay, goals were traditionally celebrated with gun salutes. About 1600 revolvers were collected at the entrances to the stadium.

Despite everything, a great euphoria developed during the first World Cup. Although only 11,000 spectators came to the stadium for the opening matches, an estimated 100,000 people watched the final in the Centenario Stadium.

In the end, the hosts Uruguay lifted the trophy after beating Argentina 4-2.