Das Wunder von Bern

4th of July 1954, FIFA World Cup Final.

East Germany take on Hungary, a rebuilding nation versus the Golden Team. The Hungary National Football team, nicknamed Mighty Magyars, opened the World Cup with a 9–0 win over South Korea. Then they devastated the West Germany with a 8-3 win.

Next up, the runner up of 1950 World Cup, Brazil. Unfortunately, they are also no match for the might Hungary team. The Brazilian was defeated with 4-2. In the semi-final, Hungary again risen up as victorious over the defending World Champ Uruguay with an overtime win of 4-2.

The Golden Team enters the finals with zero defeats and scored 25 goals and only conceding 4. The team had a 42 victories, 7 draws record starting from 1950.

West Germany

The Germany is in ruins, literally. Both of the World War had ravage their homeland and left nothing in tact. As a matter of fact, the Germany’s national team is not even a professional football team at that time.

Image Credit: AP

The public don’t like them too, being the war criminal in both World War that ruined much of Europe. The team morale is low: Hungary’s most prolific striker Ferenc Puskás was back in the lineup after some early injury, Zoltán Czibor is now playing at the right winger position to exploit the much slower fullback Werner Kohlmeyer.

The are Hungary team is undefeatable. Until it rains heavily on the match days. Germany team captain Fritz Walter is seen with a smile on his face. They have a secret weapon under their sleeve.

Adidas

Adidas, the sister company to Puma, is founded by Adolf Dassler and Rudolf Dassler respectively. The duo runs the Dassler Brothers Shoe Factory till they split up in 1947. They are well known for designing spiked running shoe. Jesse Owens, the 3 time gold medal sprinter is one of their most prominent customer.

Image Credit: Adidas Archive

In 1954, Adidas had provided the Germany team with a brand new type of football gear: A low top shoe with removable, screw in spikes. This combination of lightness and grip gave the Germany team an edge in the particularly bad weather.

The Final Throwdown

It’s not looking good for the Germany team. Hungary, the undefeated brigade score two goals in the first 8 minutes of the match. All hope seem lost.

Image Credit: Bob Thomas/Getty Images

Then come the Germany team captain Fritz Walter rally the team for a counterattack. He set up a play with right winger Helmut Rahn and forward Max Morlock to score the first goal in the 10th minute mark. By the 23rd minute mark, Helmut Rahn score an equalizer goal from a corner by Fritz Walter.

Image Credit: Getty Images

Hungary, being the superior team here, take control of the match after the the score was even.They fired a volley of shots at the Germany net, to no avail thanks to Germany’s goalie Toni Turek spectacular performance.

The score did not change till the 84th minutes. Germany’s forward Hans Schäfer sprint pass his defender József Bozsik and played a high cross ball to Hungary’s net, forcing the Hungary goalie for a full stretch save, yet the ball only get deflected and run straight to Helmut Rahn, where he brilliantly deceived his defender and make a pass to center forward Ottmar Walter. Without any hesitation, Ottmar Walter drove the ball hard and low toward the Hungary’s net.

GOAL! 3-2!

The whistle was blown, not only signifying the end of the winning streak of the Golden Team, but also awarding the Germany their FIRST ever World Cup. The Miracle of Bern, indeed.

Image Credit: Alamy/DPA

The Germany will then win the World Cup again in 1974, 1990 and 2014, making them the only team that have racked up more games finishing in the top 4 spots (4 Titles, 4 Runner-ups, 4 Third place and 1 Fourth place), ever.

Image Credit: footyheadlines.com/Adidas