Gerhard Hanappi

Gerhard Hanappi (16 February 1929 – 23 August 1980) was an Austrian football midfielder. He is  regarded as one of the greatest Austrian footballers. One of the most highly regarded midfielders of his generation,Europe's best Player of the Century – IFFHS Hanappi was nominally a goalscoring wing half, however his versatility allowed him to successfully play in almost all positions. Hanappi's technical abilities and creativity allowed him to play as an effective play-maker. He was also very intelligent with an excellent sense of anticipation which made him very useful in defensive duties, and also enabled him to make well timed runs in the box. This along with his accurate shot enabled him to be a prolific goalscorer, even once being league top scorer.


Club career
Hanappi started his career as midfielder at SC Wacker Wien. He debuted in the highest league in 1947. Then he went to Rapid Vienna where he played from 1950 till 1965. In this time Rapid won Austrian Championship title 7 times. He was captain of Rapid for seven years. In 1999 he was chosen in Rapid's Team of the Century.

International career
He made his debut for Austria at only 19 years in November 1948 against Sweden With the Austrian team heplayed at 1954 World Cup in Switzerland and at the 1958 World Cup. From 1955 on he was also captain of the national team.

His last international match was a September 1962 match against Czechoslovakia.
He earned 93 caps, scoring 12 goals.Appearances for Austrian National Team – RSSSF It was the record until Anton Polster earned his 94th cap in June 1998.
International statistics
Transfermarkt.at 
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsAustria1948101949701950701951631952701953601954111195572195663195771195870195960196072196150196230Total9312

Scores and results list Austria's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each  Hanappi goal.

+ List of international goals scored by Gerhard HanappiNo.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition1  27 May 1951  Praterstadion,  Vienna,  Austria  1-0  4-0   Friendly match2 2-03 14 October 1951 Heyselstadion,  Brussels,  Belgium  1-81-8   Friendly match4  14 November 1954 Népstadion,  Budapest,  Hungary  1-11-4   Friendly match530 October 1955Praterstadion,  Vienna,  Austria  2-12-1  Gerö-Cup6  30 November 1955   The Racecourse,  Wrexham,   Wales    2-0  2-1     Friendly match7 25 March 1956  Stade Olympique Yves-du-Manoir, Paris, France    1-2 1-3   Friendly match8  30 September 1956   Praterstadion ,   Vienna ,   Austria   1-0  7-0   1958 FIFA World Cup qualification9 2-010 25 September 1957 Olympisch Stadion,  Amsterdam,  Netherlands    1-01-1   1958 FIFA World Cup qualification11  29 May 1960   Praterstadion ,   Vienna ,   Austria   1-0  4-1   Friendly match12 2-0

Personal life
After his football career Hanappi worked as an architect. He planned the Weststadion in Vienna. After his death the stadium was renamed to Gerhard Hanappi Stadium. He died of cancer in 1980, aged only  51.

Honours

Club
Austrian Football Bundesliga (7):
 1951, 1952, 1954, 1956, 1957, 1960, 1964
Austrian Cup (1):
 1961
Mitropa Cup (1):
 1951

International
FIFA World Cup Third Place: 
 1954

Other websites
 Player profile and stats  – Rapid Wien Archive


References

Category:1929 births
Category:1980 deaths
Category:Austrian footballers
Category:1954 FIFA World Cup players
Category:1958 FIFA World Cup players
Category:SK Rapid Wien players
Category:Players of the Austrian national football team
Category:Association football midfielders
Category:Austrian football champions
Category:Austrian football midfielders
Category:Sportspeople from Vienna