Buchwald, Charles

Charles von Buchwald

Sport:
soccer

Country Represented:
Denmark

Years Competed:
1908, 1912

Medals Received:
silver

Olympic Info:
A member of the club team Academicals in Denmark, Buchwald participated in two Olympiads as a defender on the National soccer team. At the 1908 Games, the first official Olympic soccer competition, Charles started every game and the Danes won the silver medal; one of Buchwald's teammates on the 1908 Olympic team was midfielder Harald Bohr. In the quarterfinals, Denmark defeated the French 'B' team 9-0 (France sent two soccer teams to the Olympics). The following game, in the semifinals, the powerful Danish team defeated the French 'A' team, 17-1. It was the largest differential in international play until Iran defeated Maldives, 17-0, in a 1997 World Cup qualifier. The Danes lost, 2-0, in the 1908 Olympic final to Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland all participated together at the Games) although they outplayed their opponents and, "displayed the greatest vigour and determination."

At the 1912 Olympics, Buchwald again played in every game for the powerful Danish team, which won the silver medal for the second consecutive Games. After receiving a bye in the preliminary round, Denmark defeated Norway, 7-0, in the quarterfinals, Holland 4-1 in the semifinals, and again lost to Great Britain in the gold medal match, this time by a score of 4-2. In the final game Buchwald injured his elbow or hand (sources differ) in the 30th minute after heading the ball and left the field. According to the rules of the tournament, Denmark was not allowed to field a new player.

Career Highlights:
Buchwald was a member of the Danish National team in the late 1900s and the early 1910s. He appeared in the first seven international matches in Denmark's history, including the 1908 and 1912 Olympics and in friendlies against England in 1910 and 1911.

Birth and Death Dates:
unknown

Origin:
Denmark

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