Vladimir Šenauer


Vladimir "Geza" Šenauer was a Croatian professional footballer.

Early life and family

Šenauer was born in Split, Littoral Banovina, to Geza Schönauer, Jewish leather merchant from Daruvar, and Zorka, Split born Catholic. He was raised Jewish by his family. His father owned the boutique and newsstand in Split. During World War II, officer of the Italian army protected the Schönauer family from persecutions. In 1943, he advised them to leave the Split before the arrival of Nazis and Ustaše. In September 1943, the Independent State of Croatia took over the Split from the Italian fascists, so Šenauer and his family escaped to hide on the island of Vis. Soon after they escaped to Bari, Italy. Šenauer's paternal grandmother, most of his closer and wider family were killed during the Holocaust. Šenauer returned to Split in 1947, few days before his father.

Football career

He spend most of his career playing for his hometown club HNK Hajduk Split winning with them 3 national championships. He also won one national cup in the period in between while he was playing with OFK Belgrade, curiously winning in the final his former club, Hajduk. Before ending his career he also had a spell abroad with SK Austria Klagenfurt, before returning to finish his career playing with RNK Split. He was known for his speed and excellent execution of the free kicks. After retiring he was an active member in the direction board of Hajduk, and between 1979 and 1990 he was the director of the Hajduk stadium, Poljud.
He made two appearances for the Yugoslav B national team, both in 1951, first in Tunis, on 14 October, against Tunisia, and second in Sfax, on 16 October, against South Tunisia.

Death

Šenauer died on 5 January 2013 in Split, and was buried at the Lovrinac Cemetery.

External sources