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Hans
Krankl
(Austria)
Austria’s
greatest ever player, Hans Krankl helped his country
to its first World Cup in twenty years when they
qualified in 1978. They managed to reach the second
phase having had a tough first round group with
Brazil, Spain and Sweden. Krankl showed he could
perform at top level and placed himself among the
topscorers of the tournament with his four goals. One
goal was extra special as it was the winning goal
against West Germany which meant Austria had beaten
their neighbours for the first time in 37 years!
Krankl’s fine
tournament in Argentina plus the fact that he won the
Golden Boot as topscorer in Europe for Rapid Vienna,
made many top clubs interested in trying to sign him,
and it was mighty FC Barcelona that finally got the
nod. Hansi was an instant hit and was topscorer of the
Spanish league in his first season. Barcelona also won
the domestic cup and Cupwinner’s Cup that same
season.
The glory days did not
continue as planned in the Catalan capital and Krankl
returned home to the Austrian league already in 1980.
Two years later he was once again instrumental as
Austria qualified for the World Cup in Spain. Despite
being only 29 at the time, Krankl failed to shine and
only scored one goal as Austria once again managed to
reach the second phase.
He was named Austrian
Player of the Year nine times and was topscorer in the
domestic league four times. Hans Krankl scored over
300 league goals in over 400 appearances. He retired
in 1989 playing for Austria Salzburg.
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