Basel, Switzerland, September 4, 1921
Germany's international match history began in the autumn of 1921 in Basel, Switzerland, where the Teutons, who had been sidelined from the Olympics after the First World War, competed against the host country.
The competition rules were unconventional: a good placement in an event was rewarded with a low number of points, contrary to modern practice. The team with the fewest points by the end of the match won.
Key figures in the competition included German sprinter Hubert Houben, who would go on to win an Olympic silver medal in the relay at the Amsterdam Games 1928. He won the 200 metres, placed second in the 100 metres, and successfully anchored the winning relay team. His Swiss counterpart, Joseph Imbach, who would compete in the 400 metres final at the Paris Olympics, won the 100 metres and came second in the 200 metres. The Swiss team lost to Germany in the 4x100 metre relay but won the unusual 800+400+200+100 metre relay.
In the field events, Heinrich Buchgeister dominated by winning the javelin and placing second in the discus. Karl Ritter von Halt finished second in the shot put. Ritter von Halt later became a sports administrator in Nazi Germany.
Germany won the match with a score of 51-77.
Complete (Wikipedia)