The German FA (DFB) and FC Kaiserslautern mourn the loss and express their condolences to the family and friends of 1954 World Cup winner Ottmar Walter, who passed away in a retirement home on Sunday morning at the age of 89. For many years, Walter was one of the leading players and personalities at FCK, where he won German championship honours in 1951 and 1953. He was capped 21 times by his country between 1950 and 1956. Playing alongside his brother Fritz Walter, he was a member of the legendary team which defeated Hungary 3-2 in the 1954 World Cup final in Berne. Ottmar Walter contributed four goals in five matches to Germany's first World Cup triumph.
Niersbach: A role model for the generations
DFB president Wolfgang Niersbach commented: “This is sad news for all of German football. Ottmar Walter was one of the players who made the miracle of Berne possible and therefore became a role model for the generations. He and his brother Fritz will always have their own place in the history of the DFB. We will all remember Ottmar Walter not just as an outstanding sportsman, but also as a wonderful person, who remained modest and down to earth his whole life."
FC Kaiserslautern chairman Stefan Kuntz commented: “This news is extraordinarily sad for me personally and for the whole club, because Ottmar's death means we have lost another part of our history, and thereby also the values he embodied: he was down-to-earth, loyal to the club and authentic. We treasure the memory of a magnificent sportsmen and person. We commemorate him and his brother at every home match, because the fans enter the Fritz Walter Stadium on the Betzenberg through Ottmar Walter Gate."
FIFA president Joseph S Blatter commented: “I have learned with great sadness of the death of Ottmar Walter. He made history as a winner of the 1954 World Cup, and he decisively helped to shape the development of German football."
A memorial service and funeral will be arranged by the family for early next week.
DFB.de user comments:
“Rest in peace Ottmar. You were one of the true greats, and like your brother Fritz, exemplary individuals. With Heinz Flohe and you, another two world champions are no longer with us." (Torsten Krüger, Ihlow)
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The German FA (DFB) and FC Kaiserslautern mourn the loss and express their condolences to the family and friends of 1954 World Cup winner Ottmar Walter, who passed away in a retirement home on Sunday morning at the age of 89. For many years, Walter was one of the leading players and personalities at FCK, where he won German championship honours in 1951 and 1953. He was capped 21 times by his country between 1950 and 1956. Playing alongside his brother Fritz Walter, he was a member of the legendary team which defeated Hungary 3-2 in the 1954 World Cup final in Berne. Ottmar Walter contributed four goals in five matches to Germany's first World Cup triumph.
Niersbach: A role model for the generations
DFB president Wolfgang Niersbach commented: “This is sad news for all of German football. Ottmar Walter was one of the players who made the miracle of Berne possible and therefore became a role model for the generations. He and his brother Fritz will always have their own place in the history of the DFB. We will all remember Ottmar Walter not just as an outstanding sportsman, but also as a wonderful person, who remained modest and down to earth his whole life."
FC Kaiserslautern chairman Stefan Kuntz commented: “This news is extraordinarily sad for me personally and for the whole club, because Ottmar's death means we have lost another part of our history, and thereby also the values he embodied: he was down-to-earth, loyal to the club and authentic. We treasure the memory of a magnificent sportsmen and person. We commemorate him and his brother at every home match, because the fans enter the Fritz Walter Stadium on the Betzenberg through Ottmar Walter Gate."
FIFA president Joseph S Blatter commented: “I have learned with great sadness of the death of Ottmar Walter. He made history as a winner of the 1954 World Cup, and he decisively helped to shape the development of German football."
A memorial service and funeral will be arranged by the family for early next week.
DFB.de user comments:
“Rest in peace Ottmar. You were one of the true greats, and like your brother Fritz, exemplary individuals. With Heinz Flohe and you, another two world champions are no longer with us." (Torsten Krüger, Ihlow)
