As
the hosts of the 1988 UEFA European Championships, West Germany were restricted
to friendly matches ever since the end of the 1986 World Cup.
West
Germany Manager Franz Beckenbauer had been rejuvenating a squad following the
departures of the old guard (Rummenigge, Magath, Briegel, etc..).
In
addition, his starting goalkeeper and Captain Harald Schumacher was out of the
picture following the publication of his controversial autobiography in early
1987.
Experienced
stopper Karlheinz Foerster had temporarily asked not to be considered for
International duty after joining French Club Olympique Marseille in 1986 (In
the end he would announce his International Retirement in early 1988).
Beckenbauer
had kept faith on a group of veterans such as Klaus Allofs (the new Captain),
Lothar Matthaus, Andreas Brehme, Pierre Littbarski, Matthias Herget and Rudi
Voeller.
 |
Photo
From: Onze, Issue 150, June 1988
(West Germany manager Franz Beckenbauer) |
He
was intent on building the side around the talents of Schalke’s young
midfielder Olaf Thon, who was seen as the bright hope of Germany’s future.
Other
newcomers to have made headway post-1986 were Nuremberg’s Stefan Reuter and the
new Koln stopper Jurgen Kohler.
In
December of 1987, West Germany were to tour South America a part of their
preparations to face the Continent’s top two teams: Brazil and Argentina.
This
Tour gave Beckenbauer the opportunity to be with his squad for a longer span of
time and also to test out more new players.
However,
Beckenbauer was unable to select his strongest squad as a number of withdrawals
derailed his plans.
Hans Dorfner, Uwe Rahn, Wolfram Wuttke, Pierre Littbarski and Dieter
Eckstein all withdrew mostly due to injuries. In addition, the foreign-based
trio of Allofs (Olympique Marseille), Thomas Berthold (Verona) and Rudi Voeller
(AS Roma) were not not released by their employers.
The
starting sweeper Matthias Herget (Bayer Uerdingen) nearly missed the trip as
well. He had been suspended for four League matches after being sent off and
insulting a Referee in Bundesliga play. As a rule in German Football, any
suspended player was barred from lining for the National Team. However, Beckenbauer
appealed to the German Federation (DfB) to take Herget due to the accumulation
of the missing players.
The
absences forced Beckenbauer to call-up many uncapped players: Jurgen Klinsmann
(VfB Stuttgart), Frank Ordenewitz (Werder Bremen), Franco
Foda (Kaiserslautern) and Borussia Moenchengladbach’s Christian Hochstatter.
Other inexperienced (Internationally) players on the squad were
Nuremberg midfielder Manfred Schwabl (capped once prior) and Koln goalkeeper
Bodo Illgner (2 caps).
Illgner (Schumacher’s replacement at the club) had made rapid
progress and was now just behind Eike Immel in the pecking order in the net..
Bayern Munich star Lothar Matthaus would captain the side in
Allofs’ absence.
Brazil would first meet Brazil at Brasilia’s Estádio
Mané Garrincha on December 12th, 1987.
Brazil had last played in the previous summer’s Copa America and
were still on the doldrums following their drubbing at the hands of Chile
(0-4).
As weakened as the Germans were, the home side was even weaker and
experiemntal. The absence of foreign based players was a given especially in
the middle of the season. Players from Flamengo and Internacional were also
excluded from selection because the teams were involved in the National
Championship Final.
The only notable players were 1982 World Cup veteran defender
Luizinho, along with Rai, Luis Muller and Valdo.
Beckenbauer had decided to use both goalkeepers (Immel and
Illgner) on this Tour and left it up to his starter (Immel) to choose which
match he wanted to play in and Immel decided on Brazil.
Beckenbauer started with the then-uncapped Klinsmann upfront and
also gave a second cap to Schwabl.
Beckenbauer had stated that he would employ counter-attacking
tactics and expected Brazil to attack more.
It would turn out to be a poor match with a lackadaisical Brazil,
unable to break through for long periods.
 |
Photo
From: Placar, Issue 916, December 18, 1987
(December 12, 1987, Brazil 1-West Germany 1)
|
Some felt with a little more initiative the Germans could have
come away with more from the match.
Olaf Thon and Matthaus were unable to create the chances for Klinsmann,
who was virtually isolated as the lone striker.
The teams were virtually restricted to fight it out in the
midfield.
For the second half, Beckenbauer instructed his players to attack
more. He replaced Brehme at the half with Christian Hochstatter (another debutant)
with this in mind.
 |
Photo
From: Kicker Sportsmagazin, Issue 102, 51, December 14, 1987
(Valdo
and Olaf Thon, December 12, 1987, Brazil 1-West Germany 1)
|
Brazil scored first in the 68th minute. Pita’s corner
from the right side was powerfully headed in by Batista (Immel was faulted in
his positioning).
With eight minutes remaining, Beckenbauer sent on two new
debutants. Frank Ordenewitz and Franco Foda replaced Manfred Schwabl and Michael Frontzeck.
It
was said that when Foda was substituted in, some in the Stadium laughed because
in Portuguese Foda means ………..
The match seemed headed for a home victory, when the Germans
struck back just before the end.
 |
Photo
From: Kicker Sportsmagazin, Issue 102, 51, December 14, 1987
(Manfred Schwabl and Sergio Araujo, December 12,
1987, Brazil 1-West Germany 1) |
 |
Photo
From: Kicker Sportsmagazin, Issue 102, 51, December 14, 1987
(Stefan
Reuter, December 12, 1987, Brazil 1-West Germany 1)
|
A
cross from the right side was headed across the goalmouth by Klinsmann, Kohler
failed to connect with it and the ball reached Reuter who scored the equalizer.
West German libero Matthias Herget came away with some credit for
his performance as did Schwabl. Olaf Thon, on the other hand, was criticized
for under-achieving.
Beckenbauer declared satisfaction with the Germans’ performance,
including getting used to the weather differences. He was criticized for
perhaps over-estimating Brazil, not realizng that this was nor the ‘Real’
Brazil.
Four days later (December 16th), the Germans faced
Argentina at Buenos Aires’ (Estadio de Vélez Sarsfield- José Amalfitani).
This
was a rematch of the 1986 World Cup Final and unlike the Brazilians, the
Argentineans fielded a near full strength side with Diego Maradona.
The
Napoli star was present along with many of the 1986 World Cup winning squad
such as Pumpido, Ruggeri, Brown, Cuciuffo, Batista, Burruchaga and Valdano.
Beckenbauer made some changes from the Brazilian match. Immel,
Brehme, Buchwald
and Michael Frontzeck were out of the squad. They were replaced with Illgner in goal, along with Hans Pflügler and
Wolfgang Rolff.
Frank
Ordenewitz started as well to partner up Klinsmann up front.
 |
Photo
From: El Grafico, Issue 3559, 1987
(Pedro
Troglio and Hans Pflugler, December 16, 1987, Argentina 1-West Germany 0)
|
The
Germans started better and Klinsmann struck the post with a header in the 25th
minute.
Argentina
started the second half better and in a more determined mood.
Argentina
took the lead in the 55th minute. Maradona’s cross from the left
side was met with Burruchaga, who just like the World Cup Final, scored the
winner.
 |
Photo
From: El Grafico, Issue 3559, 1987
(sequence
of goal, December 16, 1987, Argentina 1-West Germany 0)
|
After falling behind, Beckenbauer sent on Franco Foda (replacing
Reuter) and later Christian
Hochstätter (replacing Schwabl), but the result remained and Argentina won
(1-0).
After
the match Beckenbauer singled out the German weakness to be on the defensive
outside back positions (Reuter and Pflugler). He underlined the importance of
the absent West German right back Thomas Berthold.
 |
Photo
From: El Grafico, Issue 3559, 1987
(Jorge
Valdano and Jurgen Kohler, December 16, 1987, Argentina 1-West Germany 0)
|
 |
Photo
From: El Grafico, Issue 3559, 1987
(Jorge Burruchaga celebrating, December 16,
1987, Argentina 1-West Germany 0) |
Despite the loss, West Germany’s performance was better than the Brazil
match. Foda, Klinsmann and Schwabl were praised for their performance in this
match.
Given the key absences, it would be difficult to assess the West
German performances. Certainly many players were given opportunities that
otherwise might not have had if not for the withdrawals.
Bodo Illgner was already being groomed as the future West Germany
goalkeeper and his future within the German squad was virtually asured.
Despite positive performances, Schwabl made one more solitary
appearance for West Germany in the new year (1988) and then was never selected
again.
Foda, Hochstatter and Ordenewitz made their only appearances for
West Germany on this Tour and were afterwards out of Beckenbauer’s plans.
Olaf
Thon failed to be the leader the Germans were looking for and this would be
confirmed in the Euros despite still being a starter.
Matthaus
took upon his role as the new Captain and would soon be the official Captain as
Allofs would be injured and out of the National Team set up.
Perhaps
historically this Tour should be remembered as the International launching pad
of Jurgen Klinsmann.
From
the debutants, only he made a lasting impression and would stay in the National
Team set up for the next decade and eventually the National Team Manager.
 |
Photo
From: El Grafico, Issue 3559, 1987
(Jurgen Klinsmann and Jose Luis Brown, December
16, 1987, Argentina 1-West Germany 0) |
The
selected squad for the Tour:
Goalkeepers:
Eike
Immel (Verein für Bewegungspiele Stuttgart 1893 e.V.) (November 27, 1960,
Stadtallendorf)
Bodo
Illgner (1. Fußball-Club Köln 01/07 e.V.) (April 7, 1967, Koblenz)
Defenders:
Matthias
Herget (Fußball Club Bayer 05 Uerdingen) (November 14, 1955,
Annaberg-Buchholz)
Stefan
Reuter (1.Fußball-Club Nürnberg - Verein für Leibesübungen
e.V.) (October
16, 1966, Dinkelsbuhl)
Jürgen Kohler (1. Fußball-Club Köln 01/07 e.V.) (October 6, 1965, Lambsheim)
Guido
Buchwald (Verein für Bewegungspiele Stuttgart 1893 e.V.) (January 24, 1961,
West Berlin)
Hans
Pflügler (Fußball-Club
Bayern München e.V.) (March 27, 1960, Freising)
Franco
Foda (1.Fußball-Club e.V. Kaiserslautern)
(April 23, 1968, Mainz)
Michael
Frontzeck (Borussia Verein für Leibesübungen 1900 e.V. Mönchengladbach) (March
26, 1964, Moenchengladbach)
Midfielders:
Andreas
Brehme (Fußball-Club Bayern München e.V.) (November 9, 1960, Hamburg)
Lothar
Herbert Matthäus (captain)
(Fußball-Club Bayern München e.V.) (March 21, 1961, Erlangen)
Olaf
Thon (Fußball
Club Schalke von 1904- Gelsenkirchen) (May 1, 1966, Gelsenkirchen)
Wolfgang
Rolff (Turn und
Sportverein Bayer 04 Leverkusen e.V.) (December 26, 1959,
Lamstedt)
Manfred
Schwabl (1.Fußball-Club Nürnberg - Verein für Leibesübungen e.V.) (April 18, 1966,
Holzkirchen)
Christian
Hochstätter (Borussia Verein für Leibesübungen 1900 e.V. Mönchengladbach) (October 19, 1963. Augsburg)
Strikers:
Jürgen
Klinsmann (Verein für Bewegungspiele Stuttgart 1893 e.V.)(July 30, 1964,
Goppingen
Frank
Ordenewitz (Sport
Verein Werder Bremen von 1899 e.V.) (March 25, 1965, Bad Fallingbostel)
Coach:
Franz Beckenbauer (September 11, 1945, Munich)
 |
Photo
From: 87-88 Panini Fussball
(West Germany’s squad) |
 |
Photo
From: 87-88 Panini Fussball
(West Germany’s squad) |
 |
Photo
From: 87-88 Panini Fussball
(West Germany’s squad) |
The
Matches on Tour:
Date: December 12, 1987
Competition: Friendly
Result: Brazil
1-West Germany 1
Venue: Brasilia-
Estádio Mané Garrincha
Attendance: 20,000
Referee: Elias Jacome (Ecuador)
Goalscorers:
(Brazil):
Batista 68th
(West
Germany): Stefan Reuter 90th
Summary of goals:
(68th
minute, Brazil): Pita’s corner from the right side
was powerfully headed in by Batista.
(90th
minute, West Germany): A cross from the right side was headed across the
goalmouth by Klinsmann, Kohler failed to connect with it and the ball reached
Reuter who scored the equalizer.
Lineups:
Brazil:
1- ‘Gilmar’ Luís Rinaldi (São Paulo Futebol
Clube- São Paulo)
2-José Teodoro Bonfim ‘Zé Teodoro’ (São Paulo Futebol Clube- São Paulo)
3-‘Batista’ (Clube Atlético Mineiro- Belo Horizonte)
4-Luiz Carlos Ferreira ‘Luizinho’ (Clube Atlético Mineiro- Belo Horizonte)
6-Nelson Luis Kerchner ‘Nelsinho’ (São Paulo Futebol Clube- São Paulo) (14-‘Eduardo’ (Fluminense Football Club- Rio de Janeiro) 80th)
5-William Douglas Humia Menezes (Cruzeiro Esporte Clube- Belo Horizonte)
8- ‘Raí’ Souza Vieira de Oliveira (Botafogo Futebol Clube- Ribeirão Preto - São Paulo) (16-Washington César Santos (Fluminense Football Club- Rio de Janeiro) 63rd)
9-Edvaldo Oliveira Chaves ’Pita’ (São Paulo Futebol Clube- São Paulo) (15-Uidemar Pessoa de Oliveira (Goiás Esporte Clube-Goiânia) 83)
7-Luís Antônio Corrêa da Costa ‘Müller’ (São Paulo Futebol Clube- São Paulo) (17-Sérgio Araujo de Melo (Clube Atlético Mineiro- Belo Horizonte) 46th)
10-Carlos ‘Renato’ Frederico (Clube Atlético Mineiro- Belo Horizonte)
11- ’Valdo’ Cândido Filho (Grêmio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense)
2-José Teodoro Bonfim ‘Zé Teodoro’ (São Paulo Futebol Clube- São Paulo)
3-‘Batista’ (Clube Atlético Mineiro- Belo Horizonte)
4-Luiz Carlos Ferreira ‘Luizinho’ (Clube Atlético Mineiro- Belo Horizonte)
6-Nelson Luis Kerchner ‘Nelsinho’ (São Paulo Futebol Clube- São Paulo) (14-‘Eduardo’ (Fluminense Football Club- Rio de Janeiro) 80th)
5-William Douglas Humia Menezes (Cruzeiro Esporte Clube- Belo Horizonte)
8- ‘Raí’ Souza Vieira de Oliveira (Botafogo Futebol Clube- Ribeirão Preto - São Paulo) (16-Washington César Santos (Fluminense Football Club- Rio de Janeiro) 63rd)
9-Edvaldo Oliveira Chaves ’Pita’ (São Paulo Futebol Clube- São Paulo) (15-Uidemar Pessoa de Oliveira (Goiás Esporte Clube-Goiânia) 83)
7-Luís Antônio Corrêa da Costa ‘Müller’ (São Paulo Futebol Clube- São Paulo) (17-Sérgio Araujo de Melo (Clube Atlético Mineiro- Belo Horizonte) 46th)
10-Carlos ‘Renato’ Frederico (Clube Atlético Mineiro- Belo Horizonte)
11- ’Valdo’ Cândido Filho (Grêmio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense)
Coach:
Carlos Alberto Silva
Team
Captain:
Official
Kit Supplier/Designer: Topper
Uniform
Colors: Yellow Shirts, Blue Shorts, White Socks
West
Germany:
1-Eike
Immel (Verein für Bewegungspiele Stuttgart 1893 e.V.)
2-Stefan
Reuter (1.Fußball-Club Nürnberg - Verein für Leibesübungen e.V.)
4-Jürgen Kohler (1. Fußball-Club Köln 01/07
e.V.)
6-Guido
Buchwald (Verein für Bewegungspiele Stuttgart 1893 e.V.)
7-Andreas
Brehme (Fußball-Club Bayern München e.V.) (15-Christian Hochstätter (Borussia
Verein für Leibesübungen 1900 e.V. Mönchengladbach) 46th)
5-Matthias
Herget (Fußball Club Bayer 05 Uerdingen)
11-Manfred
Schwabl (1.Fußball-Club Nürnberg - Verein für Leibesübungen e.V.) (17-Frank
Ordenewitz (Sport Verein Werder Bremen von 1899 e.V.) 82nd)
8-
Lothar Herbert Matthäus (Fußball-Club Bayern München e.V.)
3-Michael
Frontzeck (Borussia Verein für Leibesübungen 1900 e.V. Mönchengladbach)
(13-Franco Foda (1.Fußball-Club e.V. Kaiserslautern) 82nd)
9-Jürgen
Klinsmann (Verein für Bewegungspiele Stuttgart 1893 e.V.)
10-Olaf Thon (Fußball Club Schalke von 1904-
Gelsenkirchen)
Coach:
Franz Beckenbauer
Team
Captain: Lothar Matthaus
Official
Kit Supplier/Designer: Adidas
Uniform
Colors: White Shirts, Black Shorts, White Socks
 |
Photo
From: Kicker Sportsmagazin, Issue 102, 51, December 14, 1987
(Stefan
Reuter and Valdo, December 12, 1987, Brazil 1-West Germany 1)
|
 |
Photo
From: Kicker Sportsmagazin, Issue 102, 51, December 14, 1987
(Pita
and Matthias Herget, December 12, 1987, Brazil 1-West Germany 1)
|
 |
Photo
From: Kicker Sportsmagazin, Issue 102, 51, December 14, 1987
(Jurgen Kohler, December 12, 1987, Brazil 1-West
Germany 1) |
Date: December 16, 1987
Competition: Friendly
Result: Argentina
1-West Germany 0
Venue: Buenos Aires-Estadio de
Vélez Sarsfield - José Amalfitani
Attendance: 50,000
Referee: Arnaldo César Coelho
(Brazil)
Linesmen:
Jose Wright (Brazil) and Luis Carlos Felix (Brazil)
Goalscorers:
(Argentina):
Jorge Luis Burruchaga 55th
(West
Germany): None
Summary of goals:
(55th
minute, Argentina): Maradona’s cross from the left side was met with
Burruchaga.
Lineups:
Argentina:
1-Nery
Alberto Pumpido (Club Atlético River Plate- Buenos Aires)
6-Oscar
Alfredo Ruggeri (Club
Atlético River Plate- Buenos Aires)
3-Jose
Luis Brown (Real
Murcia Club de Fútbol / Spain)
2-José
Luis Cuciuffo (Club
Atlético Boca Juniors -Buenos Aires)
4-Nestor
Ariel Fabbri (Racing
Club de Avellaneda-Avellaneda - Buenos Aires)
8-Roberto
Nestor Sensini (Club
Atlético Newell´s Old Boys –Rosario)
5-Sergio
Daniel Batista (Asociacion
Atletica Argentinos Juniors- Buenos Aires)
7-Jorge Luis Burruchaga (Football Club de Nantes / France) (17-Dario
Andres Sivisky (Club
Atlético San Lorenzo de Almagro- Buenos Aires) 73rd)
9-Jose Luis Rodriguez (Club Deportivo Español -Buenos Aires) (18-Pedro
Antonio Troglio (Club Atlético River Plate- Buenos Aires) 64th)
10- Diego Armando Maradona (Societa Sportiva Calcio
Napoli / Italy)
11-Jorge
Alberto Francisco Valdano (Real Madrid Club de Fútbol / Spain) (19-Oscar Alberto Dertycia (Instituto Atletico Central
Córdoba-Córdoba) 86th)
Coach:
Carlos Salvador Bilardo
Booked:
Nestor Fabbri 13th
Other Substitutes:
Nestor
Rolando Clausen
(Club Atlético Independiente Avellaneda)
Ricardo
Omar Giusti
(Club Atlético Independiente Avellaneda)
Oscar
Alfredo Garre (Club Ferrocarril Oeste-Buenos Aires)
Alejandro
Marcelo Russo (Estudiantes de La Plata)
Hernan
Edgardo Diaz (Club Atlético Rosario Central-Rosario)
Luis Alberto Islas (Club Atlético Independiente
Avellaneda)
Team
Captain: Diego Maradona
Official
Kit Supplier/Designer: Le Coq Sportif
Uniform
Colors: Blue/White Vertical striped Shirts, Black Shorts, White Socks
West
Germany:
1-
Bodo Illgner (1. Fußball-Club Köln 01/07 e.V.)
5-Matthias
Herget (Fußball Club Bayer 05 Uerdingen)
2-Stefan
Reuter (1.Fußball-Club Nürnberg - Verein für Leibesübungen
e.V.)
(14-Franco Foda (1.Fußball-Club e.V. Kaiserslautern) 65th)
4-Jürgen
Kohler (1. Fußball-Club Köln 01/07 e.V.)
3-Hans
Pflügler (Fußball-Club
Bayern München e.V.)
6-Wolfgang
Rolff (Turn und
Sportverein Bayer 04 Leverkusen e.V.)
8-
Lothar Herbert Matthäus (Fußball-Club Bayern München
e.V.)
10-Olaf
Thon (Fußball
Club Schalke von 1904- Gelsenkirchen)
11-Manfred
Schwabl (1.Fußball-Club Nürnberg - Verein für Leibesübungen
e.V.)
(17-Christian Hochstätter (Borussia Verein für Leibesübungen 1900 e.V.
Mönchengladbach) 73rd)
9-Jürgen
Klinsmann (Verein für Bewegungspiele Stuttgart 1893 e.V.)
7-Frank
Ordenewitz (Sport
Verein Werder Bremen von 1899 e.V.)
Coach:
Franz Beckenbauer
Other Substitutes:
Eike
Immel (Verein für Bewegungspiele Stuttgart 1893 e.V.)
Guido
Buchwald (Verein für Bewegungspiele Stuttgart 1893 e.V.)
Andreas
Brehme (Fußball-Club
Bayern München e.V.)
Michael
Frontzeck (Borussia Verein für Leibesübungen 1900 e.V. Mönchengladbach)
Team
Captain: Lothar Matthaus
Official
Kit Supplier/Designer: Adidas
Uniform Colors: Green Shirts, White
Shorts, Green Socks |
Photo
From: El Grafico, Issue 3559, 1987
(Hans
Pflugler and Roberto Sensini, December 16, 1987, Argentina 1-West Germany 0)
|
 |
Photo
From: El Grafico, Issue 3559, 1987
(Olaf
Thon and Nestor Fabbri and Nery Pumpido, December 16, 1987, Argentina 1-West
Germany 0)
|
 |
Photo
From: World Soccer, February 1988
(Jorge
Valdano, December 16, 1987, Argentina 1-West Germany 0)
|
References:
Chronik
des deutschen fussballs, 2005
El
Grafico Number 3559, 1987
Deutschlands
Fussball Landerspiele, Eine Dokumentation von 1908-1989
Kicker
Sportsmagazin, Issue 102, 51, December 14, 1987
World
Soccer, January 1988
World
Soccer, February 1988
http://soccernostalgia.blogspot.com/2013/08/soccer-memories-part-18.html
