Ernst Wilimowski
Ernest Otton Wilimowski (German: Ernst Otto Wilimowski, born Ernst Otto Prandella; 23 June 1916 – 30 August 1997), nicknamed "Ezi", was a footballer who played as a forward. He ranks among the best goalscorers in the history of both the Poland national team and Polish club football. After re-taking German citizenship following the invasion of Poland, he also played for the Germany national team.
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Wilimowski (front, with ball) in a 1937 match for Ruch Chorzów against Warta Poznań. | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Ernest Otton Wilimowski | ||
| Birth name | Ernst Otto Prandella | ||
| Date of birth | 23 June 1916 | ||
| Place of birth | Kattowitz, German Empire | ||
| Date of death | 30 August 1997 (aged 81) | ||
| Place of death | Karlsruhe, Germany | ||
| Position(s) | Forward | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1932–1933 | 1. FC Kattowitz | 25 | (15) |
| 1934–1939 | Ruch Chorzów | 86 | (113) |
| 1939–1940 | 1. FC Kattowitz | ||
| 1940–1942 | PSV Chemnitz | 29+ | (68) |
| 1942–1944 | 1860 Munich | 5 | (8) |
| 1944 | 1. FC Kattowitz | 1 | (2) |
| 1944 | Karlsruher SC | 4 | (6) |
| 1944–1945 | PSV Chemnitz | 3+ | (14) |
| 1946 | SC Zwiesel | 4+ | (4+) |
| 1946–1948 | SG Chemnitz-West | 27 | (65) |
| 1948 | BC Augsburg | 6 | (3) |
| 1949–1950 | Offenburger FV | 18 | (18) |
| 1950–1951 | FC Singen 04 | 30 | (16) |
| 1951–1955 | VfR Kaiserslautern | 75+ | (73) |
| 1955–1956 | Kehler FV | 7 | (8) |
| Total | 328+ | (413+) | |
| International career | |||
| 1934–1939 | Poland | 22 | (21) |
| 1934–1939 | Silesia | 6 | (7) |
| 1941–1942 | Germany | 8 | (13) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Wilimowski was the first player to score four goals in a single FIFA World Cup game. According to RSSSF, Wilimowski scored over 1077 total goals in at least 688 total matches, making him the 14th greatest goalscorer of all time. He is the most prolific goalscorer in official matches in one season in recorded history according to RSSSF, with 107 goals scored in 45 matches.
Wilimowski also occasionally played ice hockey for the team Pogoń Katowice.