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After Switzerland, Sweden was named host country for the 1958 FIFA World Cup - a Cup which, on 16 October 1956, lost its founding father, when Jules Rimet died in Paris at the age of 83.
Brazil, inspired by a 17-year-old youngster called Pele, won the trophy for the first time. Pele scored against Wales, hit a hat-trick in a 5-2 win over France in the semi-finals and struck two more in the final, a 5-2 triumph over the hosts
Final: Brazil - Sweden 5-2
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In 2005, PokerStars has agreed a six-figure deal to become the exclusive online poker partner to the FL Interactive (FLi) network of official soccer club websites in the UK.
Four years after the frenzy of the Maracana stadium, the Jules Rimet trophy returned to Europe to a calmer atmosphere in Switzerland. The field of play, however, produced breathtaking entertainment. This fifth FIFA World Cupâ„¢ was unforgettable for its sensational high-scoring games, and a surprise win for the German Federal Republic.
Throughout the Second World War the Italian Vice-President of FIFA, Dr. Ottorino Barassi, hid the FIFA World Cupâ„¢ trophy in a shoe-box under his bed and thus saved it from falling into the hands of occupying troops.
In the final, Meazza and Ferrari, the two Italian playmakers, called the tune and the already legendary Italian pragmatism did the rest. Italy triumphed (4-2), and with back-to-back FIFA World Cup victories entered football history as one of the all-time great national teams. Alas, war came, putting an end to the FIFA World Cup competition for 12 years to come: and perhaps depriving this talented generation of Italian footballers of even greater glory.