|
|
|
|
|
|
Wolfgang
Overath
(West
Germany)
Born
in Siegburg, Wolfgang Overath, is regarded as one of
the best midfielders in German soccer history. He
began with SV Siegburg 04 as a boy, but moved to 1.FC
Cologne at the age of 20. This was the club he
remained faithful to through-out his career, playing
almost 800 games in all competitions. He got a flying
start at the club winning the Bundesliga in his first
season as well as being called-up to the national
team. He won further domestic cup titles with Cologne
in 1968 and 1977.
Wolfgang was still only
twenty-two by the time of the World Cup in 1966. Still
he played an important role as West Germany reached
the final and lost to England after extra time.
Overath was virtually a complete midfield player. He
was strong man-to-man, was blessed with a powerful
left foot and seemed to peak his form to the important
games. He was definitely a tournament player and in
the 1970 World Cup, the international media voted him
as the best midfield player in the tournament. West
Germany took third place in Mexico with Overath
scoring the winning goal in the bronzematch against
Uruguay.
His international career
ended after the 1974 World Cup on home soil. It was a
perfect way to end a great career by crowning it with
a World Cup title. Once again Overath was on top of
his game through-out the entire tournament and also
knocked in two goals, against Australia with a left
footed rocket and also against Sweden. Overath became
the only man in World Cup history, along with
Beckenbauer, to win gold, silver and bronze in the
World Cup.
He continued to play for
three more seasons in Cologne before retiring in 1977
lifting the German Cup trophy having beaten Hertha
Berlin in the final. It was the last game of his
career.
|
|
Back
to World Cup Legends |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
