<p>While the first edition of the FIFA World Cup in Uruguay wasn't the biggest success story, it did give the beautiful game a marquee event to look forward to.</p>.<p>The second edition headed from South America to Europe where Italy prepped to host the tournament.</p>.<p>Despite still being in its nascent stage, the tournament was a big improvement when compared to the Uruguay event with 32 teams playing a preliminary round and 16 of the best came up face to face in the tournament proper, which was in the knockout format.</p>.<p>Many European nations had refused to make the trip for the inaugural World Cup and Uruguay replied in kind by deciding to stay home.</p>.<p>There were eight venues and the hosts emphatically kicked-off the showpiece, sending the United States tumbling out with a thumping 7-1 victory at the Stadio Torino. The Azzurri, Austria, Hungary and Czechoslovakia were heavily tipped as South American giants Brazil and Argentina were still finding their feet.</p>.<p>Germany were another team in the reckoning but it was the Czechs who prevailed in a keenly contested battle, making it to the final.</p>.<p>On the other hand, Italy were using the home advantage well and punched their ticket for the final bout after seeing off a dominant Austrian side.</p>.<p>The compact Stadio Nazionale was a surprise venue for the summit clash and it was the Czechoslovakians who silenced the home crowd in the 70th minute.</p>.<p>Italy weren't to be denied as they roared back to win it after extra time setting the precedent of nations lifting the trophy in their backyards.</p>.<p class="ListBody"><span class="bold">Final result:</span> Italy: 2 bt Czechoslovakia: 1</p>
<p>While the first edition of the FIFA World Cup in Uruguay wasn't the biggest success story, it did give the beautiful game a marquee event to look forward to.</p>.<p>The second edition headed from South America to Europe where Italy prepped to host the tournament.</p>.<p>Despite still being in its nascent stage, the tournament was a big improvement when compared to the Uruguay event with 32 teams playing a preliminary round and 16 of the best came up face to face in the tournament proper, which was in the knockout format.</p>.<p>Many European nations had refused to make the trip for the inaugural World Cup and Uruguay replied in kind by deciding to stay home.</p>.<p>There were eight venues and the hosts emphatically kicked-off the showpiece, sending the United States tumbling out with a thumping 7-1 victory at the Stadio Torino. The Azzurri, Austria, Hungary and Czechoslovakia were heavily tipped as South American giants Brazil and Argentina were still finding their feet.</p>.<p>Germany were another team in the reckoning but it was the Czechs who prevailed in a keenly contested battle, making it to the final.</p>.<p>On the other hand, Italy were using the home advantage well and punched their ticket for the final bout after seeing off a dominant Austrian side.</p>.<p>The compact Stadio Nazionale was a surprise venue for the summit clash and it was the Czechoslovakians who silenced the home crowd in the 70th minute.</p>.<p>Italy weren't to be denied as they roared back to win it after extra time setting the precedent of nations lifting the trophy in their backyards.</p>.<p class="ListBody"><span class="bold">Final result:</span> Italy: 2 bt Czechoslovakia: 1</p>
