Andreas Köpke
Encyclopedia
Andreas Köpke is a former German
football goalkeeper who was in the German
squad that won the 1990 FIFA World Cup
, and was also part of the 1994 FIFA World Cup
squad. Though he did not appear in any of the matches, with Bodo Illgner
preferred in goal, Köpke's chance to shine came soon after.
Having been chosen as the best player in Germany in 1993, his biggest achievement came in 1996, winning the European Championship and playing a pivotal role in Germany's campaign (he saved Gareth Southgate
's penalty kick and ensured Germany reached the final). Due to these achievements he was voted FIFA
goalkeeper of the year.
Köpke was also Germany's first-choice goalkeeper during their 1998 FIFA World Cup
campaign, which ended in a 3–0 loss to Croatia
in the quarter finals. Having already made his decision to retire at the end of the World Cup prior to the tournament, Köpke was true to his word; his retirement paved the way for another great German keeper, Oliver Kahn
. In total, Köpke played 59 matches for his country.
Köpke began his professional club career at Holstein Kiel
in the summer of 1979, he retired from goalkeeping at 1. FC Nuremberg at the end of the 2000/2001 Bundesliga season. He also played at Eintracht Frankfurt
to where he transferred to from 1. FC Nuremberg in the summer of 1994, for the amount of €516,200, only to return to 1. FC Nuremberg five years later via Olympique Marseille. Up to this day Köpke is still very much involved in German football. He currently is the goalkeeping coach of the German national team
. He also acted as an ambassador to the city of Nuremberg
, as it prepared for the 2006 FIFA World Cup
.
Individual
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
football goalkeeper who was in the German
Germany national football team
The Germany national football team is the football team that has represented Germany in international competition since 1908. It is governed by the German Football Association , which was founded in 1900....
squad that won the 1990 FIFA World Cup
1990 FIFA World Cup
The 1990 FIFA World Cup was the 14th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 8 June to 8 July 1990 in Italy, the second country to host the event twice. Teams representing 116 national football associations from all six populated...
, and was also part of the 1994 FIFA World Cup
1994 FIFA World Cup
The 1994 FIFA World Cup, the 15th staging of the FIFA World Cup, was held in nine cities across the United States from June 17 to July 17, 1994. The United States was chosen as the host by FIFA on July 4, 1988...
squad. Though he did not appear in any of the matches, with Bodo Illgner
Bodo Illgner
Bodo Illgner is a retired German footballer, who played as a goalkeeper.During his career, he played for 1. FC Köln and Real Madrid, and helped West Germany to the 1990 World Cup, where he became the first goalkeeper to keep a clean sheet in a World Cup final.-Club career:Born in Koblenz, Illgner...
preferred in goal, Köpke's chance to shine came soon after.
Having been chosen as the best player in Germany in 1993, his biggest achievement came in 1996, winning the European Championship and playing a pivotal role in Germany's campaign (he saved Gareth Southgate
Gareth Southgate
Gareth Southgate in Crawley, West Sussex is a retired English footballer and ex-manager. He is known as the "Penalty Misser of '96." He served as manager of Middlesbrough from June 2006, until he was dismissed in October 2009...
's penalty kick and ensured Germany reached the final). Due to these achievements he was voted FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
goalkeeper of the year.
Köpke was also Germany's first-choice goalkeeper during their 1998 FIFA World Cup
1998 FIFA World Cup
The 1998 FIFA World Cup, the 16th FIFA World Cup, was held in France from 10 June to 12 July 1998. France was chosen as host nation by FIFA on 2 July 1992. The tournament was won by France, who beat Brazil 3-0 in the final...
campaign, which ended in a 3–0 loss to Croatia
Croatia national football team
The Croatia national football team represents Croatia in international football. The team is controlled by the Croatian Football Federation, the governing body for football in the country, and has been managed since 2006 by former player Slaven Bilić...
in the quarter finals. Having already made his decision to retire at the end of the World Cup prior to the tournament, Köpke was true to his word; his retirement paved the way for another great German keeper, Oliver Kahn
Oliver Kahn
Oliver Rolf Kahn is a former German football goalkeeper. He started his career in the Karlsruher SC Junior team. He had his debut game in the professional squad in 1987...
. In total, Köpke played 59 matches for his country.
Köpke began his professional club career at Holstein Kiel
Holstein Kiel
Holstein Kiel is a German association football and sports club based in the city of Kiel, Schleswig-Holstein. Through the 1910s and 1920s the club was a dominant side in northern Germany winning six regional titles and finishing as runners-up another six times...
in the summer of 1979, he retired from goalkeeping at 1. FC Nuremberg at the end of the 2000/2001 Bundesliga season. He also played at Eintracht Frankfurt
Eintracht Frankfurt
Eintracht Frankfurt is a German sports club, based in Frankfurt, Hesse that is best known for its association football club.- Club origins :...
to where he transferred to from 1. FC Nuremberg in the summer of 1994, for the amount of €516,200, only to return to 1. FC Nuremberg five years later via Olympique Marseille. Up to this day Köpke is still very much involved in German football. He currently is the goalkeeping coach of the German national team
Germany national football team
The Germany national football team is the football team that has represented Germany in international competition since 1908. It is governed by the German Football Association , which was founded in 1900....
. He also acted as an ambassador to the city of Nuremberg
Nuremberg
Nuremberg[p] is a city in the German state of Bavaria, in the administrative region of Middle Franconia. Situated on the Pegnitz river and the Rhine–Main–Danube Canal, it is located about north of Munich and is Franconia's largest city. The population is 505,664...
, as it prepared for the 2006 FIFA World Cup
2006 FIFA World Cup
The 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 9 June to 9 July 2006 in Germany, which won the right to host the event in July 2000. Teams representing 198 national football associations from all six...
.
Honours
- 1996 European Championship
- 1990 FIFA World Cup1990 FIFA World CupThe 1990 FIFA World Cup was the 14th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 8 June to 8 July 1990 in Italy, the second country to host the event twice. Teams representing 116 national football associations from all six populated...
- 2. Fußball-Bundesliga2. Fußball-Bundesliga- Changes in division set-up :* Number of clubs: currently 18. From 1974 to 1981 there were two conferences, each of 20 teams. In 1981–91 it had 20...
Individual
- Best European GoalkeeperBest European GoalkeeperThe Best European Goalkeeper award is a football award given annually since 1990 to the most outstanding Goalkeeper in Europe, as voted by the UEFA magazine, in 2009 the ESM become the donor of the award .- List of winners :*1990 – Walter Zenga...
: 1996 - German Footballer of the YearGerman Footballer of the YearThe title Footballer of the Year has been awarded in Germany since 1960. In 1996 the title Women's Footballer of the Year was awarded for the first time. Both awards are determined by a poll of German football journalists from the Association of German Sports Journalists and the publication Kicker...
: 1993 - IFFHS World's Best GoalkeeperIFFHS World's Best GoalkeeperThe IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper is a football award given annually since 1987 to the most outstanding goalkeeper as voted by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics . The votes, in 1996, were cast by IFFHS's editorial staff as well as experts from 89 countries spanning six...
– 1st Places: 1996