The first World Cup, held in Uruguay in 1930, included teams representing Yugoslavia and Romania. The Romanians beat Peru, but were eliminated in the Group Stages after defeat to the host nation. The Yugoslavs reached the Semi Finals after victories over Brazil and Bolivia, but they could not compete with Uruguay, losing 6-1 to the eventual champions. The next two World Cups were held in Europe, encouraging more European sides to enter. In Italy in 1934 Austria met Hungary in the Second Round, with the Austrians going on to lose to Italy in the Semi Final. The Italians then beat Czechoslovakia in the Final itself, the Czech’s having already condemned Romania to another First Round exit. The same fate awaited Romania four years later, when they lost a First Round replay against Cuba. Also out in the First Round were Poland, and Austria who were forced to withdraw following German occupation. Czechoslovakia went out in Round Two, but Hungary advanced all the way to the final, only to lose to Italy.

The next World Cup was not until 1950, when Yugoslavia were the only Eastern European side to compete. Despite victories of Switzerland and Mexico, they went out at the First Round. It was a different story in 1954 however, as Hungary, Yugoslavia and Austria all advanced to the knock out stages, only for all three to be beaten by West Germany, Yugoslavia in the Quarter Final, Austria in the last four, and Hungary in the Final. Eastern Europe had by this stage produced three losing finalists in five World Cups. Teams for the region were less effective in Sweden in 1958 however. Although Austria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union reached the finals, only Yugoslavia and the USSR made the Second Round, and neither progressed any further. In 1962 Czechoslovakia caused a shock by battling through to their second World Cup final, beating Hungary and Yugoslavia in the knock out rounds. The Soviet Union were also Quarter Final losers. Once again the Czech’s were denied the trophy however, this time losing out to Brazil.

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