In a friendly in 1986, Germany suffered their biggest loss to their neighbors Austria since 1931.  Above Toni Polster scored his second penalty past Eike Immel, Austria running out 4-1 winners in the end.   Matthäus was sent off in the match.

One of Germany’s biggest ever defeats came in 1954 in the group stage of the World Cup against Hungary, then considered the best team in the world.  The Germans lost the game 8-3.  They met again in the final which Germany won 3-2 against all odds, still considered one of the biggest upset in football history.

Before there was Knight Rider, there was Eintracht Frankfurt and West Germany playmaker Jürgen Grabowski. 

Harald “Toni” Schumacher wasn’t the brute he was made out to be but a pensive literate intellectual who enjoyed his spare time in the passenger seat with a good book.  

West Germany National Team coach Helmut Schön liked to take care of his garden when he wasn’t coaching.  

This week marks the 40th anniversary of West Germany’s historic 3-1 win at Wembley against England in the quarter finals of the 1972 European Championship.  To this day many still consider that Germany’s greatest ever National side. 

West Germany goakeeper Harald Schumacher celebrating with fans in Mexcio during the 1986 World Cup.  A week later his mistake in the final cost his team the trophy. 

Team captains Maradona and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge before the 1986 World Cup final between Argentina and West Germany.  

Pierre Littabarski could play a tune with the ball and with a guitar. 

Harald Schumacher’s infamous kick on Patrick Battison in the semi final of the 1982 World Cup, knocking the French player out completely cold.  Schumacher later apologized for the incident in person.  Gracefully, Battison accepted the apology.