As of: March 25, 2024, 2:11 p.m
By: Manuel Bonke, Philipp Kessler
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Goalkeeper legend Sepp Maier became world champion with Germany in 1974.
© Sven Hoppe/dpa
July 7th marks the anniversary of Germany's 1974 World Cup title. The DFB therefore invited the world champions to an international match against the Netherlands.
But that doesn't go down well with all World Cup heroes.
Frankfurt - July 7th marks the anniversary of the 1974 World Cup title. On this day 50 years ago, the German national team became world champions for the second time.
In an epic final in Munich, the DFB team defeated their neighbors from the Netherlands 2-1.
The German and Dutch associations took this anniversary as an opportunity to invite all players from the 1974 World Cup final to the international friendly match between both nations on Tuesday and bring them together again.
The letter is dated February 27th and was signed by both DFB President Bernd Neuendorf and KNVB President Just Spee.
The two-page letter states that they also want to commemorate the captain of the world champion team in this context: “Together with you and the many fans in the stadium and in front of the screens, we will once again say a fitting farewell to Franz Beckenbauer.”
That's what Sepp Maier and Wolfgang Overath say
However, this invitation is not well received by all German World Cup heroes.
The accusation: The letter was sent at too short notice, which is why some had to cancel because other appointments had already been agreed.
In addition, from the point of view of the players at the time, it would have been more appropriate for the occasion to organize a separate celebration instead of just inviting the world champions of that time in connection with an international match.
In addition, there is concern that the mood will be poor in the event of a defeat against the Dutch.
“Unfortunately that turned out to be a bit unfortunate, but the DFB does what it wants anyway,” confirmed goalkeeper legend Sepp Maier to the
tz
.
Wolfgang Overath adds: “The idea of meeting everyone again is certainly not a bad idea.
But then you have to organize it differently.
I told Bernd Neuendorf that I was on vacation.” Only a small part of the team will be in the stadium on Tuesday.
According to reports, the head of the association Neuendorf is trying to improve the already tense relationship between the 74 world champions and the DFB through talks.
Among others, the Gladbach world champions Berti Vogts, Rainer Bonhof and Wolfgang Kleff will accept the invitation to the Holland international match.
Now the former players are taking the organization of their anniversary celebration into their own hands: It is planned for July 7th and will take place in Munich.
So it makes sense that Bayern patron Uli Hoeneß is also involved in the party planning...
Manuel Bonke, Philipp Kessler