East v West…a cold war tale
The notion that sport and politics can exist seperately is but an idealists dream. At the 1974 World Cup East Germany played West Germany for the only time. Being hosts and having a side full of stars, West Germany had started the competition among the favourites. Despite winning the first two games their public was unhappy with their form. This unease was exacerbated by Holland’s style and what seemed an inexorable march to the trophy.
Facing West Germany meant a huge security operation. The only East Germans allowed to travel were high ranking members of the communist party who, like the players were rarely out of sight of armed stasi guards. The East German regime feared huge numbers of defectors to the West.
The game itself was as dramatic as the scenario was intense. Sparwasser scored a late winner for the East which led to huge ructions in the West camp. Back at the hotel the West German players drank in the bar and a huge row ensued. Franz Beckenbauer did a captains job and settled everyone then went up to Helmut Schoen’s room for a chat. Beckenbauer saw Schoen lying on his bed sweating profusely in a zombie like state having had a panic attack. Beckenbauer simply told him what changes were to be made. Schoen had little option but to agree.
The victory was used as propoganda by the East German government. Propoganda so blunt and forceful that Sparwasser admitted in later years that he wished with all his heart he’d never scored it.
West Germany, of course, went on to win the trophy defeating the Dutch in the final. But every tournament has it’s own twists and turns and East v West in 1974 was a truly great World Cup story.