German football is once again in mourning after losing another world champion in 2024. This Tuesday the death of Bernd Hölzenbein at 78 years of age after fighting a long illness.
Eintracht Frankfurt was in charge of breaking the sad news of the death of the 1974 World Cup champion with the national team Germany. Hölzenbein He died surrounded by his family, the club decided not to provide further details of his death.
“It is a sad day for Eintracht Frankfurt. A great legend has left us. Bernd Hölzenbein passed away at the age of 78, surrounded by his family,” wrote the German team.
Hölzenbein He played as a midfielder in that world final between Germany and Holland. The former German international caused the penalty that led to a 1-1 draw for the Germans with Paul Breitner's goal; after Gerd Müller scored the final 2-1.
After this match, many Dutch people baptized Hölzenbein as the inventor of the pool shot, although the player always maintained that “it was a clear penalty!” With Germany He scored five goals in forty international matches played between 1973 and 1978.
“Rest in peace, Bernd Hölzenbein! Our world champion of '74 died on Monday at the age of 78. Our deepest condolences to the family and friends,” the German federation wrote on its social networks.
With the Eintracht He played 532 official matches, in which he scored 215 goals – 160 in the top category – and won the German Cup in 1974, 1975 and 1981 and the UEFA Cup in 1980. Furthermore, 'Hölz' never lost a final with the Frankfurt club and was declared honorary captain.
In 1981 he ended his career in the Bundesliga and moved to USA, where he played for the Fort Lauderdale Strikers, the Memphis Americans and the Baltimore Blasts. After he returned to Germany, he played another six months in the Salmrohr and achieved promotion to the second division with the club.
In 1988 he returned to Eintracht as vice president, he also worked as the club's sporting director and chief scout.
“Bernd Hölzenbein He was an exceptional footballer and a wonderful guy. In the field he was an astute man, who found solutions that no one else had seen. 'Holz' could score goals from all positions, even he scored sitting down. He was an exceptional player. His life revolved around football. “His death leaves a great void in Eintracht and in the German Football Federation,” he said. Bernd Neuendorfpresident of the DFB.
For his part, the director of the men's team Germany, Rudi Völler described Bernd Hölzenbein as “a great footballer and a wonderful person, who won many titles and even more hearts. In terms of football, there was little he could not do. My deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. Compassion.”
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With EFE.
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