Karl Koller

Karl Koller (9 February 1929 - 24 January 2009) was an Austrian football player. He is considered one of the best Austrian midfielders. He played during his professional carrer only for First Vienna FC. The national player completed 86 games for the team and took part in two world championships.

Karl Koller
Karl Koller (1964).jpg
Karl Koller 1964 representing Austria
Personal information
Full nameKarl Koller
Date of birth(1929-02-09)9 February 1929
Place of birthHölles, Austria
Date of death24 January 2009(2009-01-24) (aged 79)
Place of deathBaden , Austria
Playing positionMidfielder
Youth career
1943 -1945ASK Blumau
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
1945- 1949ASK Blumau
1949–1966First Vienna FC414(39)
National team
1952-1965Austria86(5)
Teams managed
19671. SC Wiener Neustadt
1968First Vienna FC
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Career

Karl Koller began his football career with ASK Blumau. 1949 he went to First Vienna FC where he made his championship debut in 1949. Througout his professional career he played for this club. He played 414 league matches for Vienna and scored 39 goals. Overall he played 836 matches and scored 101 goals. In 1955 he became Austrian Champion and 1961 they played in the Cup final which they lost 3-1 versus SK Rapid .

International career

He debuted on 23 March 1953 against Belgium (2-0). [1]He went to the World Cup as one of the regulars for the midfield. Together with the Austrian Ernst Ocwirk he formed the Austrian midfield. Karl Koller played in all matches.

In the 1958 FIFA World Cup the team failed in the group stage. In the 2-2 draw versus England shot one of his five goals for the team Karl Koller's career in the team ended when they failed to qualify for the 1966 World Cup. His last international match was on 5 September 1965 versus Hungary.[2]

Death

Koller died on 24 January 2009 as a result of his Alzheimer's disease.[3]

References