National soccer participant: Soccer participant Karl-Heinz Schnellinger is lifeless | EUROtoday

Former nationwide soccer participant Karl-Heinz Schnellinger has died on the age of 85. Schnellinger died on Monday Milan, as his household confirmed. Italian media had beforehand reported on it. On March thirty first, Schnellinger celebrated his eighty fifth birthday. He leaves behind his spouse, three daughters and 4 grandchildren.

Almost 54 years in the past, the previous nationwide participant scored the late 1-1 equalizer for Germany within the so-called recreation of the century in opposition to Italy. The recreation within the semi-finals of the 1970 World Cup remains to be thought-about among the finest soccer video games in historical past. Germany misplaced the sport 3-4 in further time and got here third within the World Cup, Italy misplaced to Brazil within the ultimate.

“World-class footballer” additionally alongside the sport of the century

The President of the German Football Association (DFB), Bernd Neuendorf, praised Schnellinger as a “world-class footballer” in an announcement. His identify will eternally be related to the sport of the century on the 1970 World Cup; Neuendorf is quoted on the DFB's homepage as saying that it was solely his aim that made “the extra time that could hardly be surpassed in terms of drama” doable.

But Schnellinger's achievements and deserves went far past that. “Among the German national players, only Lothar Matthäus has taken part in more World Cup finals than him,” mentioned Neuendorf.

A German legend in Italy

Schnellinger lived in Italy till his demise, the place he additionally performed soccer for a very long time. “The Blonde Karl”, as he was referred to as in Italy (Charles the Blond), remains to be one of the profitable German professionals overseas. In Germany it was comparatively much less seen. “It always seems to me as if I am a foreigner in Germany – and in Italy too,” mentioned Schnellinger on the event of his birthday in March. “But that's okay.”

Schnellinger's well-known aim in opposition to Italy was the one one he scored in 47 worldwide matches – however it made him a legend of German soccer. In addition, Schnellinger was additionally on the pitch in one other traditional: the 2-4 defeat within the World Cup ultimate in opposition to England in 1966. At the 1958 World Cup he completed fourth with the nationwide workforce and teammate Fritz Walter. Schnellinger performed his final worldwide match in 1971 in opposition to Albania.

Schnellinger additionally gained a number of titles along with his membership groups. In the final yr earlier than the introduction of the Bundesliga, he grew to become champion with 1. FC Köln in 1962. He then moved to Italy, first to Mantova, then to AS Roma and eventually to AC Milan. With Milan he gained the Italian Cup 3 times, grew to become champion as soon as, gained the European Cup Winners' Cup twice and the nationwide champions' trophy as soon as.