AT the 1932 FIFA Congress held in Stockholm it was announced that Italy won the bid to host the second World Cup finals.
With huge support from the Fascist Benito Mussolini-led Government and a sound professional league Italy was expected to provide a better quality competition. Unlike its forerunner which was by invitation, there was a qualifying competition which involved 32 Nations, including Italy. The 16 winners then earned the right to contest the May 27 to June 10 K.O finals. Most notable was the firm refusal of the Cup Holders Uruguay to participate, and they remain the only Champion not to defend their Title in the History of the World Cup.
The amateur level of football that existed in South and Central Americas where there has always been an abundance of gifted players caused several quality players to migrate to Europe, in particular to Italy, to seek their fortune and fame. There were 12 teams from Europe, 2 from South America and one each from North America and Africa.
The tournament was boosted by live Radio broadcast to 12 of the competing countries and was played in eight cities and the Duce attended all of Italy’s matches. It was Fascism propaganda at its best and it was quite evident that the home side were destined to triumph.
Both Brazil and Argentina sent weakened teams and both were sent packing after losing 3-1 and 3-2 to Spain and Sweden respectively. Four members of the Argentine side which contested the Championship four years ago were now parading in the colours of the Azzurri.
The Italians made an emphatic entry into World Cup football when they thrashed the USA 7-1 in their 1st round encounter. France stretched Austria into extra time before bowing out 2-3 and Switzerland overcame Holland by a similar score-line.
Egypt fought bravely against Hungary, coming from a 2-0 deficit before surrendering 4-2. Also advancing to the second round were Czechoslovakia, 2-1 winners over Romania and the Germans, thanks to a hat-trick by 19-year-old Edmund Conen, came from 2-0 down to win 5-2.
Forty-two goals from eight games was more than enough to set up a grand show in the Quarterfinals. The match of the  ‘Quarters’  which still stands head and shoulders above all in the history of World Cup football is the Italy-Spain clash which went for a record 210 minutes
In sweltering heat at the Giovanni Bart Stadium in Florence a brave Spanish defence resisted all the physically-minded and at times violent Azzurri attacks offered. Belgian referee Louis Baert was weak or perhaps intimidated by the presence of El Duce.
After 30 minutes of action Spain took the lead from a Luis Reguiero conversion, but the home boys, urged on by the 35 000-odd fans, equalised a minute before the half  when Giovvani Ferrari  cashed in on a partially saved free kick taken by Angelo Schiavio to hit past Zamora.
The 1-1 stalemate after 30 minutes of extra time forced a replay the next day at the said venue, with Swiss referee Reni Marcet replacing Baert.
The said two linesmen Mihaly Ivancsics of Hungary and Bohumil Zenisek of Czechoslovakia were retained, but the two sides had to make a number of changes –  Italy who lost Pizziolo with a broken leg made four and Spain seven.
The replay saw an increase in support as over 8 000 additional fans turned up to see Italy make it to the last four thanks to an 11th minute header by Giuseppe Meazza.
Another bruising affair took place in Bologna where old enemies Austria and Hungary went at each other with the Austrians prevailing 2-1. Germany also advanced by a similar score-line against Sweden in heavy conditions, while Czechoslovakia squeezed past Switzerland 3-2 in the most entertaining match of the round.
Neither Germany nor Austria matched the Czechs or Italians. In Milan, an 18-minute strike by Argentine Enrico Guaita was all his adopted homeland needed to qualify for the Championship.
Over in Rome a double by inside left Oldrich Nejedly and one by Rudolf Krcil fired the Czechs into the final while Rudolf Noack scored a consolation for the Germans. In the 3rd place play-off the Germans beat Austria 3-2 in a match that lacked flair.
For the grand finale on June 10, 50 000 fans flocked the Rome Stadium that still had room on the terraces. Nevertheless the deserved finalists settled down to their respective game plans. Italy showed they possessed stamina and power, backed by the tremendous home advantage, but the Czechs exhibited the fine artistry of short passing and individual skills.
After 76 minutes of competitive football the Czechs took the lead  when Antonio Puc, who was off the pitch with cramps, returned to take a corner kick and when the ball was returned to him he struck a powerful right-footer from way out and silenced the crowd.
The Italians looked dejected and almost conceded another but Sobotka’s attempt from close up hit the post. Things looked bleak for the homesters and it appeared as though destiny was about to show its cruel face, but the four Argentines who appeared in the first final for Uruguay four years ago made their presence felt.
Eight minutes from the end  Guaita found Raimundo Orsi who wormed his way past the Czech defence, feinted with his left and fired a swerving right-booter to level the score. The fans were now on their feet again and suddenly the Azzuri Boys came alive
With the game tied at 1 at the end of the 90-minute regulation time Swedish referee Ivan Eklind had to go for another 30 minutes to determine who will lift the 2nd Championship. It only needed 5 minutes for the winner.
Schiavio received a pass from Guaita and went past a defender before blasting the ball into the roof of the net for the most important goal of his four in the tournament. Two other players also netted four, Nejedly of Czechoslovakia and Conen of Germany. Ironically all three died in 1990.
Italy did not only win the 2nd World Cup, but became the first European side to lift the ultimate prize in football and more importantly a huge profit of one million lire as was reported.
For the records, it was the first and only time that the two finalists were captained by their respective goalkeepers, Gianpiero Combi for Italia and Frantisek Planicka for the Czechs.