July 3rd 1954, Spiez, Switzerland
Sepp Herberger looked out of his window that overlooked the lake Thun. It was long past nightfall and he looked at the night sky, there wasn't a cloud in sight and Herberger's brow furrowed. Was there really a point in hoping ?
On his table lay telegrams from Germany, there were close to a hundred. And the first one read, "Mr. Herberger, if the coach of the national team doesn't know what to offer to sports fans in a situation like this, then he should buy himself a noose and hang himself from the next tree, but do so in such a way that the rope can be reused" with the others reading along similar lines. Those were the ones that he received in the beginning. He had received more positive ones later, congratulating him on his performance thereafter. But in his job he had no time for praises, he'd much rather have the criticism. Had they been right ? He'd never doubted his own ability but every goal that the Hungarians scored was etched in his memory, all eight of them.
He'd made a gamble when he fielded seven of the reserves players when Germany played Hungary in their group game. It was a calculated risk, one that the media and the rest of the world were not aware of, but things would pan out later but not just then. What unfolded then was absolute masterclass by the Hungarians. There was so much talk and hype surrounding the Hungarians, 1952 Olympic champions and first team to beat England at home, and they lived up to it, and how.
In the aftermath of the Second World War, Germany was held largely responsible and as a consequence were banned from taking part in the 1950 FIFA World Cup. So under the watchful eyes of Sepp Herberger they began the process of re-establishing football in the country. It was around this time, that the news of the Hungary team began to spread. "Magical Magyars" was one of the names earned as they went around Europe undefeated destroying teams on their way. Despite winning the 1952 Olympic games, their finest hour came in 1953 at Wembley against England. England, as usual, thought themselves to be the best team when it came to playing at home and were pretty confident despite Hungary's impressive record in Europe. What happened next came as a wake up call to the whole world of Hungary's domineering presence, as they effortlessly dispatched England 6-3. The Golden team of Hungary were here and ready to challenge the world. By the time the World Cup came, they were unbeaten in 27 games spread over 4 years.
So, as Hungary lined up with the star studded team consisting of Puskas, Kocsis, Czibor and Hidegkuti the crowd were stunned to see seven reserve players among the German ranks, Germany they said were going without a fight. And whatever plan Herberger had was not to be seen as Hungary destroyed the German team 8-3. People called for his head, they said he had gone to far. But as a fully rested German team beat the wearied Turkey team 7-2 in the playoffs for the knockout, a little faith had been restored.
And as Herberger watched from the dugouts, his team grew from strength to strength in the subsequent matches beating Yugoslavia and Austria by comfortable margins. And as the final lay next, people began to hope, only to realise fate had pitted them against the Hungarians for the second time.
And here, on the eve of the Finals he assessed his options. The standout player for Germany had been their captain, Fritz Walter. And it had become common knowledge in Germany that Fritz Walter played best under the rain (dubbed "Fritz Walter weather"). That coupled with the fact that Hungary had struggled to play their passing game against Uruguay in the semi-final made Herberger look out into the night sky. If he needed to put a slightest doubt into Hungary winning the World Cup, he needed all the help that he could find. On a tactical standpoint, Hungary had let in 3 goals the last time the teams met, one of the few positives from the game. Because of the second string team fielded by Germany, the Hungarians were likely to underestimate them this time around. But the key to unlocking the Hunarians, according to him, lay not in goalscorers Puskas and Kocsis but in playmaker Hidegkoti. As long as Hidegkoti could be suppressed, so could Hungary. There is always hope in football was the last thought that went through Herberger's head as he fell asleep.
As he awoke in the morning, Herberger rushed to his window to see if the night had bought any clouds, but the late summer sun of July was as bright as ever. He needed to make his team believe in themselves rather than in natural miracles. As afternoon came, the sense of expectancy in the camp became apparent. Tactics were explained and Horst Eckel, having played already Hungary, was picked to mark Hidegkuti. And as the team were getting on to the bus to leave for the stadium, the first drops of rain fell. The bus filled with relief and then with hope, maybe all was not lost.
In the stadium, Herberger got down on his knees and felt the wet turf. He could afford a smile, nature was on their side. Hungary were led by Puskas, who had been injured enough not to participate in the previous two games, but had recovered in time for the finals. And with 62,000 fans in the stadium, the game got underway. But withing eight minutes Germany were two goals down. The first came with a deflected shot falling to Puskas to finish. Two minutes later a bad backpass led to goalkeeper Turek spilling the ball into the path of Czibor to double the advantage. The game looked to be heading to a similar routing as the last meeting, and the favorites were to be crowned world champions . But this time, Germany were prepared, as Hingary's passing game faltered on the wet turf, Germany got a break soon after with Max Morlock sliding in to finish Helmut Rahn's deflected shot. This seemed to instill new confidence in them, and after a brief spell of pressure leading to a series of corners, Rahn was there at the far post to convert a deep one. Only twenty minutes on the clock and the score to the shock of most people, read 2-2.
As expected thereafter, Hungary dominated, and it needed resilient defending from the Germans to ensure that they didn't concede again. And as half time came, there were contrasting expression on the players. The Hungarians seemed disappointed at not being able to capitalise on their possession while the Germans seemed relieved at the same. As the German players headed back into the dressing room, Herberger realised that weighing their mind with further tactical nuances would lead to confusion, and putting his faith in his players, all he said was, "Go out there and win it". What lay ahead, was probably the longest 45 minutes they would experience. The Hungarians gave it all they had, and time and again German defence and goalkeeper Toni Turek coming to their rescue, with Hidegkuti coming closest by striking his header off the bar. And as time ticked, Hungary began to attack with desperation leading to gaps in their defence. In the 86th minute, a badly headed clearance fell to Rahn at the edge of the box. He feinted a shoot with his right, moved the ball into the box and struck the ball with his left into the bottom corner, beyond the outstretched hand of the keeper. Germany were within touching distance of the World Cup now. More drama was to follow, with the linesman flagging Puskas's equaliser offside, and soon after Turek diving brilliantly to deny an almost certain goal. As the final whistle blew, the Golden Team had finally been beaten, and their era to an end.
When Fritz Walter received the trophy from Jules Rimet, he heralded a new era for Germany. Not just for football, but for the country as a whole that was still recovering from the ravages of the war. When Sepp Herberger fielded those seven reserve players against Hungary, he set in motion something so deep that no one could have ever envisioned it. And thus was born one of the greatest miracles, "The Miracle Of Bern".
Note: I have interleaved facts within a story of my making. All the data and facts about the match are true. And you could have a look at this move, The Miracle of Bern(2003). The Hungarians were voted as the best team of the World Cup, with Puskas picking up the best player award. Unfortunately the Hungarian revolution of 1956 ended the golden period in Hungarian football, with Puskas opting to play for Spain thereafter.
Sepp Herberger looked out of his window that overlooked the lake Thun. It was long past nightfall and he looked at the night sky, there wasn't a cloud in sight and Herberger's brow furrowed. Was there really a point in hoping ?
On his table lay telegrams from Germany, there were close to a hundred. And the first one read, "Mr. Herberger, if the coach of the national team doesn't know what to offer to sports fans in a situation like this, then he should buy himself a noose and hang himself from the next tree, but do so in such a way that the rope can be reused" with the others reading along similar lines. Those were the ones that he received in the beginning. He had received more positive ones later, congratulating him on his performance thereafter. But in his job he had no time for praises, he'd much rather have the criticism. Had they been right ? He'd never doubted his own ability but every goal that the Hungarians scored was etched in his memory, all eight of them.
He'd made a gamble when he fielded seven of the reserves players when Germany played Hungary in their group game. It was a calculated risk, one that the media and the rest of the world were not aware of, but things would pan out later but not just then. What unfolded then was absolute masterclass by the Hungarians. There was so much talk and hype surrounding the Hungarians, 1952 Olympic champions and first team to beat England at home, and they lived up to it, and how.
In the aftermath of the Second World War, Germany was held largely responsible and as a consequence were banned from taking part in the 1950 FIFA World Cup. So under the watchful eyes of Sepp Herberger they began the process of re-establishing football in the country. It was around this time, that the news of the Hungary team began to spread. "Magical Magyars" was one of the names earned as they went around Europe undefeated destroying teams on their way. Despite winning the 1952 Olympic games, their finest hour came in 1953 at Wembley against England. England, as usual, thought themselves to be the best team when it came to playing at home and were pretty confident despite Hungary's impressive record in Europe. What happened next came as a wake up call to the whole world of Hungary's domineering presence, as they effortlessly dispatched England 6-3. The Golden team of Hungary were here and ready to challenge the world. By the time the World Cup came, they were unbeaten in 27 games spread over 4 years.
So, as Hungary lined up with the star studded team consisting of Puskas, Kocsis, Czibor and Hidegkuti the crowd were stunned to see seven reserve players among the German ranks, Germany they said were going without a fight. And whatever plan Herberger had was not to be seen as Hungary destroyed the German team 8-3. People called for his head, they said he had gone to far. But as a fully rested German team beat the wearied Turkey team 7-2 in the playoffs for the knockout, a little faith had been restored.
And as Herberger watched from the dugouts, his team grew from strength to strength in the subsequent matches beating Yugoslavia and Austria by comfortable margins. And as the final lay next, people began to hope, only to realise fate had pitted them against the Hungarians for the second time.
And here, on the eve of the Finals he assessed his options. The standout player for Germany had been their captain, Fritz Walter. And it had become common knowledge in Germany that Fritz Walter played best under the rain (dubbed "Fritz Walter weather"). That coupled with the fact that Hungary had struggled to play their passing game against Uruguay in the semi-final made Herberger look out into the night sky. If he needed to put a slightest doubt into Hungary winning the World Cup, he needed all the help that he could find. On a tactical standpoint, Hungary had let in 3 goals the last time the teams met, one of the few positives from the game. Because of the second string team fielded by Germany, the Hungarians were likely to underestimate them this time around. But the key to unlocking the Hunarians, according to him, lay not in goalscorers Puskas and Kocsis but in playmaker Hidegkoti. As long as Hidegkoti could be suppressed, so could Hungary. There is always hope in football was the last thought that went through Herberger's head as he fell asleep.
As he awoke in the morning, Herberger rushed to his window to see if the night had bought any clouds, but the late summer sun of July was as bright as ever. He needed to make his team believe in themselves rather than in natural miracles. As afternoon came, the sense of expectancy in the camp became apparent. Tactics were explained and Horst Eckel, having played already Hungary, was picked to mark Hidegkuti. And as the team were getting on to the bus to leave for the stadium, the first drops of rain fell. The bus filled with relief and then with hope, maybe all was not lost.
In the stadium, Herberger got down on his knees and felt the wet turf. He could afford a smile, nature was on their side. Hungary were led by Puskas, who had been injured enough not to participate in the previous two games, but had recovered in time for the finals. And with 62,000 fans in the stadium, the game got underway. But withing eight minutes Germany were two goals down. The first came with a deflected shot falling to Puskas to finish. Two minutes later a bad backpass led to goalkeeper Turek spilling the ball into the path of Czibor to double the advantage. The game looked to be heading to a similar routing as the last meeting, and the favorites were to be crowned world champions . But this time, Germany were prepared, as Hingary's passing game faltered on the wet turf, Germany got a break soon after with Max Morlock sliding in to finish Helmut Rahn's deflected shot. This seemed to instill new confidence in them, and after a brief spell of pressure leading to a series of corners, Rahn was there at the far post to convert a deep one. Only twenty minutes on the clock and the score to the shock of most people, read 2-2.
As expected thereafter, Hungary dominated, and it needed resilient defending from the Germans to ensure that they didn't concede again. And as half time came, there were contrasting expression on the players. The Hungarians seemed disappointed at not being able to capitalise on their possession while the Germans seemed relieved at the same. As the German players headed back into the dressing room, Herberger realised that weighing their mind with further tactical nuances would lead to confusion, and putting his faith in his players, all he said was, "Go out there and win it". What lay ahead, was probably the longest 45 minutes they would experience. The Hungarians gave it all they had, and time and again German defence and goalkeeper Toni Turek coming to their rescue, with Hidegkuti coming closest by striking his header off the bar. And as time ticked, Hungary began to attack with desperation leading to gaps in their defence. In the 86th minute, a badly headed clearance fell to Rahn at the edge of the box. He feinted a shoot with his right, moved the ball into the box and struck the ball with his left into the bottom corner, beyond the outstretched hand of the keeper. Germany were within touching distance of the World Cup now. More drama was to follow, with the linesman flagging Puskas's equaliser offside, and soon after Turek diving brilliantly to deny an almost certain goal. As the final whistle blew, the Golden Team had finally been beaten, and their era to an end.
When Fritz Walter received the trophy from Jules Rimet, he heralded a new era for Germany. Not just for football, but for the country as a whole that was still recovering from the ravages of the war. When Sepp Herberger fielded those seven reserve players against Hungary, he set in motion something so deep that no one could have ever envisioned it. And thus was born one of the greatest miracles, "The Miracle Of Bern".
Note: I have interleaved facts within a story of my making. All the data and facts about the match are true. And you could have a look at this move, The Miracle of Bern(2003). The Hungarians were voted as the best team of the World Cup, with Puskas picking up the best player award. Unfortunately the Hungarian revolution of 1956 ended the golden period in Hungarian football, with Puskas opting to play for Spain thereafter.
