Farewell to Alsace's finest
Friday, October 8, 2004
Article summary
A star player with France, RC Strasbourg and RC Paris, Oscar Heisserer has died at the age of 90.
Article body
Local legend
Born on 18 July 1914 at Schirrhein, the midfielder had been among the last French players to wear the blue jersey before the second world war. Still regarded as the finest footballer the Alsace region has produced, his step up to the big time came in 1934 with a move from FC Bischwiller to RC Strasbourg.
Like Vieira
Heisserer compared his style to that of Arsenal FC's French international Patrick Vieira, adding that he was "more attack-minded and stockier" than his modern equivalent. It was that combative style that helped him reach his first French Cup final with Strasbourg in 1937.
Seven finals
He would appear in another seven French Cup finals, winning three of them - in 1939, 1940 and 1945 - after he switched from Strasbourg to RC Paris. However, while his greatest successes came during the war years, he was left to lament the timing of the conflict. "The war stole my best years," he said.
Wartime heroism
Although he preferred not to mention it, Heisserer helped many Jewish people cross the border from France into Switzerland while the country was under Nazi occupation.
France career
However, he was much more famous for his services to France on the pitch. Following his debut in a friendly against Yugoslavia at the Parc des Princes on 13 December 1936, he went on to collect 24 caps, scoring eight goals and captaining the team on seven occasions. His finest hour came with the equaliser against England at Wembley that earned a 2-2 draw on 26 May 1945.
Coaching career
Heisserer returned to Strasbourg after the war, retiring from football in 1949, the year after his international swansong. He briefly became coach of the newly-founded Olympique Lyonnnais but did not take to management. "It was not a job for me," he said. "I could not stand the players making any mistakes."
Back home
He remained in Strasbourg after ending his involvement in football, staying close to his old club's home stadium, La Meinau, until his death. His funeral will be held in Saint-Louis en Robertsau church on 12 October.
