Wolfgang Overath
Encyclopedia
Wolfgang Overath is a former West German football
player. He represented his country three times in World Cup finals, culminating in 1974 with victory on home soil. Primarily a creative playmaker, Overath was known for his passing ability, technique and left-foot.
A playmaking
midfielder
, Overath started playing football at SSV Siegburg, but spent the majority of his career at 1. FC Köln
, appearing 765 times between 1962 and 1977 and scoring 287 goals. He won the Bundesliga
with 1. FC Köln in 1964 and the German Cup
in 1968. In total he won 81 caps for the national side between 1963 and 1974, scoring 17 goals. As well as the World Cup victory in 1974, he was at the heart of the West German midfield when they reached the final in 1966 and achieved third place in 1970. Overath scored the only goal in the latter match, with many foreign journalists voting him Germany's best player in Mexico.
Overath is one of the few players with World Cup medals for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. He would have made more appearances for West Germany but for the outstanding play of Günter Netzer
that made him a 2nd choice for a brief period including the UEFA Euro 1972 victory. But he soon regained his place ahead of Netzer, who said himself that Overath "was born to play for Germany".
In 2004 he was elected President of 1. FC Köln
.
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
player. He represented his country three times in World Cup finals, culminating in 1974 with victory on home soil. Primarily a creative playmaker, Overath was known for his passing ability, technique and left-foot.
A playmaking
Playmaker
In association football, a playmaker is a player who controls the flow of the team's offensive play, and is often involved in passing moves which lead to goals....
midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
, Overath started playing football at SSV Siegburg, but spent the majority of his career at 1. FC Köln
1. FC Köln
1. FC Köln is a German association football club based in Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia. It was formed in 1948 as a merger of the clubs Kölner Ballspiel-Club 1901 and SpVgg Sülz 07....
, appearing 765 times between 1962 and 1977 and scoring 287 goals. He won the Bundesliga
Fußball-Bundesliga
The Fußball-Bundesliga is a professional association football league in Germany. At the top of Germany's football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. It is contested by 18 teams and operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the 2. Bundesliga...
with 1. FC Köln in 1964 and the German Cup
DFB-Pokal
The DFB-Pokal or DFB Cup is a German knockout football cup competition held annually. 64 teams participate in the competition, including all clubs from the Bundesliga and the 2nd Bundesliga. It is considered the second most important national title in German football after the Bundesliga...
in 1968. In total he won 81 caps for the national side between 1963 and 1974, scoring 17 goals. As well as the World Cup victory in 1974, he was at the heart of the West German midfield when they reached the final in 1966 and achieved third place in 1970. Overath scored the only goal in the latter match, with many foreign journalists voting him Germany's best player in Mexico.
Overath is one of the few players with World Cup medals for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. He would have made more appearances for West Germany but for the outstanding play of Günter Netzer
Günter Netzer
Günter Theodor Netzer is a former German football player and team general manager currently working in the media business. As a player, he was considered to be one of the greatest passers in the game's history...
that made him a 2nd choice for a brief period including the UEFA Euro 1972 victory. But he soon regained his place ahead of Netzer, who said himself that Overath "was born to play for Germany".
In 2004 he was elected President of 1. FC Köln
1. FC Köln
1. FC Köln is a German association football club based in Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia. It was formed in 1948 as a merger of the clubs Kölner Ballspiel-Club 1901 and SpVgg Sülz 07....
.