Leopold “Poldi” Grausam was born on June 29, 1943, in Kagran, a district in Vienna, Austria. In his teenage years, he moved with his parents to Pressbaum. At the age of 16, after a successful trial, he joined SK Rapid Wien, commonly known as Rapid.
Between 1963 and 1970, despite suffering a severe injury, Grausam scored an impressive 70 goals in 180 official matches for the Green-Whites. Just a few weeks ago, he celebrated his 80th birthday.
Legacy and Achievements
Grausam was a highly popular striker during his playing days and also served as a youth coach for Rapid after his playing career. He won the Austrian Bundesliga title three times with Rapid and secured the ÖFB-Cup twice.
His debut match was nothing short of record-breaking, as he scored four goals in a 5-0 home win against Kapfenberg. Grausam also represented the Austrian national team eight times and managed to score three goals.
In 1967, he won the first “Footballer of the Year” award given by Kronen Zeitung. He was also part of the legendary Rapid team that eliminated Real Madrid in the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League in 1968.
Later Years and Passing
Grausam continued to be an active member of the Rapid community even after his playing days. He recently passed away on September 8, leaving the entire football community in mourning.
Tributes and Condolences
Steffen Hofmann, the Managing Director of SK Rapid, expressed his sadness at the news, saying, “Leopold Grausam was one of those players who contributed significantly to the fame of Rapid. We will honor his memory and offer sincere condolences to his family on behalf of SK Rapid.”
Dietmar Hoscher, Chairman of the board and President of the SK Rapid Legends Club, also paid tribute: “Poldi Grausam was a true Green-White, who wrote history with and for the club. He will continue to live on in the memories of many Rapid fans, and on behalf of the Legends Club, I would like to express my condolences to his family and friends.”
Memorial
To honor Grausam’s contributions to the sport and the club, a minute of silence will be observed at the next home game of the professional team on Sunday, September 17, at 5:00 PM against Wolfsberger AC. The team will also wear black armbands as a sign of mourning.
Leopold Grausam leaves behind a rich legacy that will be cherished by the football community for years to come.
