Footballer and soldier. Popiel played on the Polish National Team that took part in the 1924 Summer Olympics. He played for the Cracovia football club from 1909 to 1924, winning the 1921 Polish Football Championship. He also played for the Wisla Krakow club in 1919. Popiel joined the Polish National Team in 1922 and appeared in one match in both 1922 and 1923. He was regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the history of Polish football. During World War I, he fought for the Austro-Hungarian Army, where he earned the rank of reserve second lieutenant in the infantry officer corps. Popiel was awarded both the Silver Medal of Valor and the Charles Military Cross. Following the war, he took part in the Polish-Soviet War where he became lieutenant of the infantry reserve of the Polish Army. Popiel was twice awarded the Cross of Valor. He died under mysterious circumstances in December 1927, with reports initially indicating he had committed suicide, only for police to later say he was beaten to death by unknown assailants before being hanged.
Footballer and soldier. Popiel played on the Polish National Team that took part in the 1924 Summer Olympics. He played for the Cracovia football club from 1909 to 1924, winning the 1921 Polish Football Championship. He also played for the Wisla Krakow club in 1919. Popiel joined the Polish National Team in 1922 and appeared in one match in both 1922 and 1923. He was regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the history of Polish football. During World War I, he fought for the Austro-Hungarian Army, where he earned the rank of reserve second lieutenant in the infantry officer corps. Popiel was awarded both the Silver Medal of Valor and the Charles Military Cross. Following the war, he took part in the Polish-Soviet War where he became lieutenant of the infantry reserve of the Polish Army. Popiel was twice awarded the Cross of Valor. He died under mysterious circumstances in December 1927, with reports initially indicating he had committed suicide, only for police to later say he was beaten to death by unknown assailants before being hanged.
Bio by: Adam Penale
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