On This Day – 29th July
The 14th Olympic Games began on this day back in 1948 in London. It was decided that the Games would still go ahead despite much of the world still being rebuilt after the effects of the Second World War which ended three years before.
The Preliminary Rounds of the football began three days before the start of the games which began on 31st July. Hosts Great Britain won the first match of the First Round, beating Netherlands 4-3 after extra time at Arsenal’s Highbury Stadium.
As well as Highbury, there were ten other venues used in the football competition. There were eight in and around London as wellas Portsmouth’s Fratton Park and the Goldstone Ground, Brighton and Hove Albion’s former home.
Sweden were the winners of the gold medal, gaining many fans along the way. Hosts Great Britain fell at the semi final stage, losing 3-1 to Yugoslavia at Wembley.
60,000 fans were at Wembley to watch Sweden beat Yugoslavia 3-1 in the final. This came a few hours after Denmark beat Great Britain 5-3 at Wembley to win the bronze medal.
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