The Germany national team has won the European Championship three times, making them more successful than any other nation. After 1972, 1980 and 1996, the aim is title number four at EURO 2016 – 20 years after their last success. Before the tournament in France, DFB.de is flicking through the history books. Today, the 1980 European Championship in Italy.
Before the finals in Italy, expectations were less euphoric. During qualification, national coach Jupp Derwall’s squad were unbeaten, but not without a sticking point (0-0 against Malta in Turkey). The upheaval after the World Cup failure of 1978 took its toll. Only seven players who went to Argentina were still in the squad, and there was a huge lack of clarity on who would fill the key positions. After Sepp Maier’s car accident in July 1979, Derwall experimented with three different goalkeepers, and the first of the three, Toni Schumacher of FC Köln, made the cut. With only three games worth of experience under his belt, he flew to Italy as number one. They were also on the hunt for the next Beckenbauer, especially as sweeper Ulli Stielike was refused permission to play by his club, real Madrid.
Real coach Boskov didn’t allow Stielike to take part in the qualifying matches, but Derwall insisted: “I have been assured that Stielike will be made available for the finals in Italy.” Derwall followed this dryly with: “I want it in writing!” After the preliminary qualifying game against Turkey (2-0 in Gelsenkirchen), there were more grumbles, such as from Kicker: “Neither from corners, nor from free kicks or throw-ins, was there a sense of any imagination.” This was a lot different to what people were saying in 1972, and even Derwall conceded: “we have lost our reputation as favourites for the championship.”
Youngest national team since 1934
However, in spring 1980, some things changed for the better. Out of necessity, which appeared to be even greater due to the leg fracture suffered by Schalke forward Klaus Fischer, Derwall turned to youth. The internationally-leading Bundesliga kept producing young talent after young talent. Lots of Derwall‘s stars were inexperienced: central defender Karl-Heinz Förster (21), midfielder Hans-Peter Briegel (24), playmaker Bernd Schuster (20) and Hansi Müller (22) as well as forwards Klaus Allofs (23) and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (24) were all hungry for victory and the title. Briegel: "For us, it was simply a real honour to play for Germany." They were led by captain Bernard Dietz (32). Since the 1934 World Cup, there hasn’t been a younger side travel to the tournament (25.04 on average) and the camaraderie has rarely been better than in 1980.
This was also clear to see on the pitch. After the 3-1 victory over Poland in May, Kicker commented: "Our national team is prepared for the European Championship." There the youngest tournament team were crowned European Champions. After a tough opening (1-0 vs. Czech Republic, thanks to a header from Rummenigge), die Welt asked: "Where is the promised attacking football?". This came straight away with a new line-up and after the prestigious victory over the Netherlands (3-2, Allofs’ hat-trick), the fringe players were given the opportunity in the third game against Greece (0-0). This meant that come the 22nd June 1980 all of the squad could feel like European Champions. Germany ran out 2-1 winners against Belgium in the final with Horst Hrubesch, who wasn’t present during qualifying, scoring the decisive goal. It was his first for Germany. The bonus for the 22-strong squad amounted to 25,000 DM. Their wives also received a gift token for a jewellery chain of over 2500 DM.
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The Germany national team has won the European Championship three times, making them more successful than any other nation. After 1972, 1980 and 1996, the aim is title number four at EURO 2016 – 20 years after their last success. Before the tournament in France, DFB.de is flicking through the history books. Today, the 1980 European Championship in Italy.
Before the finals in Italy, expectations were less euphoric. During qualification, national coach Jupp Derwall’s squad were unbeaten, but not without a sticking point (0-0 against Malta in Turkey). The upheaval after the World Cup failure of 1978 took its toll. Only seven players who went to Argentina were still in the squad, and there was a huge lack of clarity on who would fill the key positions. After Sepp Maier’s car accident in July 1979, Derwall experimented with three different goalkeepers, and the first of the three, Toni Schumacher of FC Köln, made the cut. With only three games worth of experience under his belt, he flew to Italy as number one. They were also on the hunt for the next Beckenbauer, especially as sweeper Ulli Stielike was refused permission to play by his club, real Madrid.
Real coach Boskov didn’t allow Stielike to take part in the qualifying matches, but Derwall insisted: “I have been assured that Stielike will be made available for the finals in Italy.” Derwall followed this dryly with: “I want it in writing!” After the preliminary qualifying game against Turkey (2-0 in Gelsenkirchen), there were more grumbles, such as from Kicker: “Neither from corners, nor from free kicks or throw-ins, was there a sense of any imagination.” This was a lot different to what people were saying in 1972, and even Derwall conceded: “we have lost our reputation as favourites for the championship.”
Youngest national team since 1934
However, in spring 1980, some things changed for the better. Out of necessity, which appeared to be even greater due to the leg fracture suffered by Schalke forward Klaus Fischer, Derwall turned to youth. The internationally-leading Bundesliga kept producing young talent after young talent. Lots of Derwall‘s stars were inexperienced: central defender Karl-Heinz Förster (21), midfielder Hans-Peter Briegel (24), playmaker Bernd Schuster (20) and Hansi Müller (22) as well as forwards Klaus Allofs (23) and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (24) were all hungry for victory and the title. Briegel: "For us, it was simply a real honour to play for Germany." They were led by captain Bernard Dietz (32). Since the 1934 World Cup, there hasn’t been a younger side travel to the tournament (25.04 on average) and the camaraderie has rarely been better than in 1980.
This was also clear to see on the pitch. After the 3-1 victory over Poland in May, Kicker commented: "Our national team is prepared for the European Championship." There the youngest tournament team were crowned European Champions. After a tough opening (1-0 vs. Czech Republic, thanks to a header from Rummenigge), die Welt asked: "Where is the promised attacking football?". This came straight away with a new line-up and after the prestigious victory over the Netherlands (3-2, Allofs’ hat-trick), the fringe players were given the opportunity in the third game against Greece (0-0). This meant that come the 22nd June 1980 all of the squad could feel like European Champions. Germany ran out 2-1 winners against Belgium in the final with Horst Hrubesch, who wasn’t present during qualifying, scoring the decisive goal. It was his first for Germany. The bonus for the 22-strong squad amounted to 25,000 DM. Their wives also received a gift token for a jewellery chain of over 2500 DM.
