Ryszard Piec: Difference between revisions

'''Ryszard Leon Piec''' - [[Poland|Polish]] [[soccer]] player, born on [[August 17]], [[1913]] in [[SwietochlowiceŚwiętochłowice|Schwientochlowitz (SwietochowiceŚwiętochłowice)]], Germany,died on [[January 24]], [[1979]] in his hometown.

Piec spent whole life in his native town of Lipiny, which now today is a district of SwietochlowiceŚwiętochłowice, in [[Upper Silesia]]. He played for [[NaprzodNaprzód Lipiny]], a team which, in spite of several attempts, never managed to qualify to the [[Ekstraklasa|Polish Soccer League]]. In 1935-39 he represented Poland in 24 matches, scoring 5 goals. His debiut took place in 1935 against [[Yugoslavia]].

He participated in 1936 Olympic Games in [[Berlin]], where Poland was placed on the 4th position, after losing 2:3 against [[Norway]]. During the Olympics, he played in three games - a qualifier versus [[Hungary]] (3:0), a quarterfinal versus [[Great Britain]] (5:4, he scored a goal) and a semifinal versus [[Austria]] (1:3). He also took part in a legendary 1938 World Cup Soccer match Poland - Brazil 5:6 ([[June 5]], [[1938]], [[StrasburgStrasbourg]], [[France]]).

During the [[Second World War]] German occupiers allowed Upper Silesians to participate in sports tournaments. Piec’sPiec's club, NaprzodNaprzód Lipiny, was forced to change its name to Turn und Sport (TUS) Lipine. Ryszard (then known as Richard Pietz), together with his brother [[Wilhelm Piec]], was a key player in this team.

After the war Piec contunuedcontinued his career in NaprzodNaprzód Lipiny, playing until 1951. Since then he was a coach.