Helsinki Olympics

B a l b i r S i n g h S e n i o r
P h o t o G a l l e r y

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Helsinki Olympics - 1952

An 18-member team was selected for Helsinki, comprising 2 goalkeepers, 3 backs, 5 halves and 8 forwards. The team acclimatised in Copenhagen before reaching Helsinki.

En route to the final, India beat Austria 4-0 and Britain 3-1. In the final, India retained the gold in style, whipping Holland 6-1. Balbir Singh Sr. scored 5 of India's 6 goals in the final (including a hat-trick), and 9 of India's 13 goals in the tournament.

The victorious team got 48 hours in Copenhagen to relax and enjoy, before going on a goodwill tour of Europe, playing exhibition matches in Copehagen, Frankfurt and Berlin. The stadium in Berlin seemed to resonate with memories of that great Indian side that beat Germany 8-1 in the final of the 1936 Olympics.

This photograph was taken outside the Casino Hotel in Berlin. Balbir Singh Sr. is seated in the front row (left).

1952
Olympics

Balbir Sr.
Olympic Hero