This blogger Artur Yanturin of Russia copied many of my blog teams. This blog was one of them. It was my Russia All-Time Team here. His team was written in 2020, but mine was uploaded in 2014. His Spartak Moscow All-Time team entry of was published in October 2020, but mine was uploaded in 2017. His entry of the Dutch-German rivalry between Real Madrid and Barcelona was written in 2020, but mine was uploaded in 2014. He also copied many many of my blog entries.
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| Andreas Köpke and Dieter Eilts |
Please also see my All-Time World Cup Team Index.
Western German regional
German Americans/American Germans
German Turks
German-born Players Capped by Other National Teams
Germany All-Time Team After Beckenbauer
Germany All-Time Team Without Bayern Munich Players
German Americans/American Germans
German Turks
German-born Players Capped by Other National Teams
Germany All-Time Team After Beckenbauer
Germany All-Time Team Without Bayern Munich Players
In 2015, I created all-time teams for North Rhine-Westphalia and Bavaria respectively.
At the time, I did not know enough about German football to create
other all-time teams for the rest of Germany. In 2018, I did an All-Time Team for East Germany (GDR/DDR). Finally, in late, 2020, I decided to look into the regions again and I came up with the following projects. This is my selection of a 23 member all-time team for the German states in Northern Germany.
Northern Germany/Norddeutschland generally refers to the Sprachraum area north of the Uerdingen and Benrath line isoglosses, where Low German dialects are spoken. However, I am only looked at Federal states as a guideline. Schleswig-Holstein, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Lower Saxony and the two city-states Hamburg and Bremen are usually considered in this region. I am including players from Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The players from the state are also included on my Eastern German regional (not only GDR) all-time team.
Hamburg SV, Werder Bremen, VfL Wolfsburg, Hanover 96 and FC St. Pauli are some of the bigger clubs in the region. Hamburg SV was known for winning the European Cup in 1983 while Werder Bremen won the 1992 European Cup Winners' Cup.
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| Per Mertesacker and Toni Kroos |
Team
GK: Bert Trautmann (Bremen)
Trautmann was a former POW who decided to remain in England after the war. He signed for Manchester City in 1949, where he replaced the popular Frank Swift. He turned from the most hated player in England to a fan favourite. He was the hero of 1956 FA Cup winning team. In his prime, he was known as one of the best keeper in the world. He was credited for healing the German-British relations after the War.
Trautmann was a former POW who decided to remain in England after the war. He signed for Manchester City in 1949, where he replaced the popular Frank Swift. He turned from the most hated player in England to a fan favourite. He was the hero of 1956 FA Cup winning team. In his prime, he was known as one of the best keeper in the world. He was credited for healing the German-British relations after the War.
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| Bert Trautmann |
Köpke began his club career at Holstein Kiel in 1979, he retired at 1. FC Nürnberg at the end of the 2000–01 2. Bundesliga season. He also played at Eintracht Frankfurt, Hertha Berlin, Charlottenburg and Olympique Marseille. He earned 59 caps for Germany, winning the Euro 1996 as the starting keeper. He also went to both 1990 and 1994 World Cup Finals. He was German Player of the Year in 1993.
GK: Uli Stein (Hamburg)
Stein began his career in 1978 with Arminia Bielefeld. After two years, he moved to Hamburger SV where he played from 1980 to 1987. He also played for Eintracht Frankfurt. The highlight of his career was winning the European Cup (UEFA Champions League) in 1983, with Hamburger SV. He also went on to win the DFB-Pokal with Eintracht Frankfurt in 1988. He represented the West German national team 6 times between 1983 and 1986. He went Mexico 1986.
Stein began his career in 1978 with Arminia Bielefeld. After two years, he moved to Hamburger SV where he played from 1980 to 1987. He also played for Eintracht Frankfurt. The highlight of his career was winning the European Cup (UEFA Champions League) in 1983, with Hamburger SV. He also went on to win the DFB-Pokal with Eintracht Frankfurt in 1988. He represented the West German national team 6 times between 1983 and 1986. He went Mexico 1986.
RB: Gerd Kische (Mecklenburg-Vorpommern)
Kische played for FC Hansa Rostock from 1970 to 1981. On the national level, he played for the East German national team (59 and 63 matches respectively). He won his first cap in 1971 against Mexico. He was a participant at the 1974 FIFA World Cup, where he played every matches. He also played every single at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal as East Germany won the Gold Medal.
Kische played for FC Hansa Rostock from 1970 to 1981. On the national level, he played for the East German national team (59 and 63 matches respectively). He won his first cap in 1971 against Mexico. He was a participant at the 1974 FIFA World Cup, where he played every matches. He also played every single at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal as East Germany won the Gold Medal.
DM/RB: Wolfgang Dremmler (Lower Saxony)
At the club leve, Wolfgang Dremmler started with Eintracht Braunschweig. From 1979 to 1986, he played for Bayern Munich, where he won three Bundesliga titles. From 1981 to 1984, he was capped 27 times. Dremmler was part of the West Germany team that reached the 1982 World Cup final against Italy. That season, he also played in the losing side at the 1982 European Cup Final.
At the club leve, Wolfgang Dremmler started with Eintracht Braunschweig. From 1979 to 1986, he played for Bayern Munich, where he won three Bundesliga titles. From 1981 to 1984, he was capped 27 times. Dremmler was part of the West Germany team that reached the 1982 World Cup final against Italy. That season, he also played in the losing side at the 1982 European Cup Final.
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| Wolfgang Dremmler |
CB: Per Mertesacker (Lower Saxony)
At 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in), Mertesacker is known for his height. From 2003 to 2006, he played for Hanover 96. From 2006 to 2011, he played for Werder Bremen. Then, he played from 2011 to 2018 for Arsenal. Mertesacker established himself as Germany's first choice centre-back for ten years, participating in European Championship in 2008 and 2012, as well as the 2006, 2010 and 2014 World Cups, winning the latter. He earned 104 caps.
SW: Willi Giesemann (Lower Saxony)
In his club career, Giesemann played with VfL Wolfsburg before playing for Bayern Munich between 1959 and 1963, and for Hamburg SV between 1963 and 1968. He also played for HSV Barmbek-Uhlenhorst. He played 14 times with Germany. His career was affected by an injury suffered during a match against Brazil, involving Pele. He played in the 1962 WC Finals.
CB: Peter Nogly (Schleswig-Holstein)
Peter Nogly earned four caps for the West Germany national football team all in 1977. He was included in the West German team for the UEFA Euro 1976, but did not play. In Germany, he played mainly for Hamburger SV. In 1980, he moved to play in NASL, where he played for Edmonton Drillers and Tampa Bay Rowdies.
Peter Nogly earned four caps for the West Germany national football team all in 1977. He was included in the West German team for the UEFA Euro 1976, but did not play. In Germany, he played mainly for Hamburger SV. In 1980, he moved to play in NASL, where he played for Edmonton Drillers and Tampa Bay Rowdies.
CB: Karl Miller (Hamburg)
From 1930 to 1950, Miller played for FC St Pauli. During the War, he also played as a guest player for Dresdner SC and LSV Hamburg. He played 12 times for the German national football team between 1941 and 1942. He made his debut against Hungary on April 6, 1941 in Cologne. His national career was cut short because of the war.
LB: Andreas Brehme (Hamburg)
Andreas Brehme is best remembered for his career with Kaiserslautern and Inter Milan. He was the Serie A Foreign Player of the Year in 1989, in an era where the best players played in Italy. He had 86 caps. He was an important player for West Germany in the 1990 WC Finals, where he scored the winning goal in the Final. He also played in 1986 and 1994 World Cup Finals, and three European Championship.
Andreas Brehme is best remembered for his career with Kaiserslautern and Inter Milan. He was the Serie A Foreign Player of the Year in 1989, in an era where the best players played in Italy. He had 86 caps. He was an important player for West Germany in the 1990 WC Finals, where he scored the winning goal in the Final. He also played in 1986 and 1994 World Cup Finals, and three European Championship.
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| Andreas Brehme |
Dieter Elits played 390 matches for SV Werder Bremen, his only club during his entire professional career, and scored seven goals. Eilts is regarded as one of the finest discoveries of legendary coach Otto Rehhagel. He won the Cup Winners' Cup in 1992. Elits also had 31 caps betweem 1993 and 1997. At the European Championship of 1996, he was a key player as Die Mannschaft won it. He formed the backbone of the defence with Matthias Sammer and Thomas Helmer.
Wolfgang Rolff played for Hamburger SV, Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Bayer 05 Uerdingen, Karlsruher SC, 1. FC Köln, OSC Bremerhaven, SC Fortuna Köln and Strasbourg. In his years with his clubs he won the German Bundesliga title with Hamburg in 1983 and was part of the Hamburg side that clinched the European Cup. He also won the UEFA Cup with Bayer 04 Leverkusen in 1988.
CM: Stefan Effenberg (Hamburg)
Stefan Effenberg started his career with Borussia Moncehngladbach before moving to Bayern Munich in 1990 and then, in Fiorentina in 1992. His most successful club career came during his second stint with Bayern Munich. He helped the club to reach the Final of the Champions' League twice, winning in 2001. For Germany, he was only capped 35 times. His international career was cut short after the "giving a finger" incident during the World Cup Finals in 1994.
Stefan Effenberg started his career with Borussia Moncehngladbach before moving to Bayern Munich in 1990 and then, in Fiorentina in 1992. His most successful club career came during his second stint with Bayern Munich. He helped the club to reach the Final of the Champions' League twice, winning in 2001. For Germany, he was only capped 35 times. His international career was cut short after the "giving a finger" incident during the World Cup Finals in 1994.
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| Stefan Effenberg |
CM: Toni Kroos (Mecklenburg-Vorpommern)
Toni Kroos became a member of Bayern Munich's first team at the age of 17, Kroos won back-to-back Bundesliga titles and the 2012–13 Champions League. After winning the World Cup in 2014, he joined Real Madrid . In Madrid, he won the three UEFA Champions League titles. He was a key player for Germany since 2010. He played over 90 times for Germany. He won the World Cup in 2014 as one of Germany's star players.
LW: Gert Dörfel (Hamburg)
Gert Dörfel spent nine seasons in the Bundesliga with Hamburger SV. He also played in South Africa and Canada. He represented Germany 11 times, including at the 1962 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Northern Ireland (scoring two goals) and Greece (scoring one goal), the 1966 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Sweden, and eight friendlies.
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| Toni Kroos |
RW/ST: Bernd Dörfel (Hamburg)
Bernd Dörfel is the brother of Gert Dörfel. He played a total of 139 league games in the Bundesliga from 1964 to 1970 for the clubs Hamburger SV and Eintracht Braunschweig. From 1970 to 1973, he played for Servette Geneva in Switzerland. He played 15 times for West Germany. He helped West Germany to qualify for the 1970 World Cup Finals, but he was not selected to the final squad.
LM/CM: Max Lorenz (Bremen)
From 1960 to 1969, Max Lorenz played for his hometown club Werder Bremen. Later, he joined Eintracht Braunschweig, where he played between 1969 and 1972. At the international level, Lorenz was capped 19 times between 1965 and 1970. He went the World Cup Finals in both 1966 and 1970, but only appeared once in the Mexico. However, he played in West Germany's historical victories over both England and Brazil in 1968.
From 1960 to 1969, Max Lorenz played for his hometown club Werder Bremen. Later, he joined Eintracht Braunschweig, where he played between 1969 and 1972. At the international level, Lorenz was capped 19 times between 1965 and 1970. He went the World Cup Finals in both 1966 and 1970, but only appeared once in the Mexico. However, he played in West Germany's historical victories over both England and Brazil in 1968.
LW: Marco Bode (Lower Saxony)
Between 1989 and 2002 he was active in 379 games for Werder, in which he scored 101 goals, making him the record Bremen goal-scorer. Despite some offers by major European clubs such as Bayern Munich, he remained loyal to Werder Bremen, retiring somewhat early after the 2002 World Cup. Bode also won renown because he was a particularly fair and decent player who only was booked ten times in his entire Bundesliga career and never got sent off.
Between 1989 and 2002 he was active in 379 games for Werder, in which he scored 101 goals, making him the record Bremen goal-scorer. Despite some offers by major European clubs such as Bayern Munich, he remained loyal to Werder Bremen, retiring somewhat early after the 2002 World Cup. Bode also won renown because he was a particularly fair and decent player who only was booked ten times in his entire Bundesliga career and never got sent off.
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| Marco Bode |
Gert Dörfel spent nine seasons in the Bundesliga with Hamburger SV. He also played in South Africa and Canada. He represented Germany 11 times, including at the 1962 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Northern Ireland (scoring two goals) and Greece (scoring one goal), the 1966 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Sweden, and eight friendlies.
FW: Adolf Jäger (Hamburg)
Jäger began his career with SC Union 03 Altona and played with Altona 93 from 1907 until 1927, where he would have scored over 2,000 goals in over 700 amateur matches. However, like many others there is no proof or evidence of this claim. He was a member of the German Olympic squad and played one match in the main tournament, scoring the only goal for Germany in the main tournament. He died during World War II, while working for bomb sweep in Hamburg, and is buried in Altona Main Cemetery.
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| Adolf Jäger |
Joachim Streich played as a striker for Aufbau Wismar from 1957 to 1963, TSG Wismar from 1963 to 1967), Hansa Rostock from 1967 to 1975, and 1. FC Magdeburg from 1975 to 1985. Between 1969 and 1984, he was capped 102 times for East Germany, scoring 55 goals. He was their cap record holder and all-time leading scorer.
ST: Otto Harder (Lower Saxony)
In his club career, Harder played r Eintracht Braunschweig, Hamburger SV, and Victoria Hamburg. Between 1914 and 1926, he played 15 times for Germany, scoring 14 goals. His status with Hamburger SV supposed on par with Uwe Seeler. Howeber, his involvement with the SS during the war affected his standing in Germany. He was a convicted war criminal.
ST: Klaus Stürmer (Schleswig-Holstein)
Klaus Stürmer represented Germany on two occasions, including a 1962 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Northern Ireland. On his debut on 16 October 1954 against France he became the youngest player of the post-war era to score for Germany at age 19 years 68 days, a record that was equalled in 2011 by Mario Götze. He spent most of his career with Hamburger SV.
Klaus Stürmer represented Germany on two occasions, including a 1962 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Northern Ireland. On his debut on 16 October 1954 against France he became the youngest player of the post-war era to score for Germany at age 19 years 68 days, a record that was equalled in 2011 by Mario Götze. He spent most of his career with Hamburger SV.
ST: Uwe Seeler (Hamburg)
Uwe Seeler was captain of both his club team and the national team for many years. He played in 4 World Cup Finals(1958, 1962, 1966 and 1970), but sandwiched between Germany's two World Cup winning years(1954 and 1974). West Germany came second in 1966 and reached the semifinal in 1970 while playing next to Gerd Muller. However, he is still regarded one of Die Mannschaft s greatest players. He spent his entire career with SV Hamburger and considered its greatest player.
Uwe Seeler was captain of both his club team and the national team for many years. He played in 4 World Cup Finals(1958, 1962, 1966 and 1970), but sandwiched between Germany's two World Cup winning years(1954 and 1974). West Germany came second in 1966 and reached the semifinal in 1970 while playing next to Gerd Muller. However, he is still regarded one of Die Mannschaft s greatest players. He spent his entire career with SV Hamburger and considered its greatest player.
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| Uwe Seeler |
Honorable Mention
Hans-Jörg Butt, Dieter Burdenski, Walter Junghans, Adolf Werner, Fabian Ernst, Julian Brandt, Caspar Memering, Christian Rahn, Franz Merkhoffer, Carsten Jancker, Otto Harder, Rudolf Noack, Norbert Meier, Günter Hermann, René Schneider, Dieter Zembski, Klaus Stürmer.
Squad Explanation
-- Mecklenburg-Vorpommern was a part of East Germany (GDR). However, this blog team is about the geography of Germany. It is historically considered a part of Northern Germany. Low German or Low Saxon is a dialect spoken in this part of Germany. So culturally they are related to Northern Germany. So I am including them over here.
-- I actually do not know if Mecklenburg-Vorpommern belongs to the traditional definition of Eastern Germany. However, politics is also an issue for everything in life. In my research, the Eastern part of Germany is always about the former German Democratic Republic since the Cold War. So Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is also included on my Eastern German regional (not only GDR) blog team for political consideration if not for geographical and cultural reasons.
-- Uwe Seeler, Andrea Brehme, Andreas Köpke, Bert Trautmann, Toni Kroos and Stefan Effenberg are automatic selection. Brehme, Seeler and Kroos are on my Germany All-Time Team.
-- Uli Stein, Klaus Stürmer, Uwe Seeler, Wolfgang Rolff, Gert Dörfel and Peter Nogly are on my all-time Hamburg SV team. Dieter Elits, Marco Bode and Max Lorenz are on my all-time Werder Bremen team.
-- Gerd Kische and Joachim Streich are the only two former GDR player on the team although Toni Kroos was born when Mecklenburg-Vorpommern was a part of German Democratic Republic.
-- Two players are on the 2014 World Cup winning team, Per Mertesacker and Toni Kroos. Andreas Brehme is the only other World Cup winner. Uwe Seeler's four World Cup appearances were sandwiched between West Germany's victories in 1954 and 1974.
-- Four players had interesting stories during the War. Otto Harder was a convicted war criminal. Bert Trautmann began his career as a footballer because he started playing in a POW camp. Rudolf Noack (Hamburg) died as a POW in the Soviet Union. Adolf Jäger died while doing mine sweeping in 1944.
-- Russian keeper Lev Yashin believed that Bert Trautmann was a good as himself. He is the obvious choice. Then, I took Andreas Köpke from the mid-1990's. He won Euro 1996. Uli Stein is my third goalkeeper largely because of his association with Hamburg SV. Other goalkeepers considered included Hans-Jörg Butt, Dieter Burdenski, Walter Junghans and Adolf Werner.
-- Wolfgang Dremmler could also operate as a rightback. So I only selected a single rightback. Dremmler was known for his career with Bayern Munich in the 1980' with Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Paul Breitner. Gerd Kische of GDR is my only rightback.
-- Willi Giesemann is remembered for his incident with Pele in 1965. He was probably a good player, but his selection is due to the fact that he was famous. Per Mertesacker earned 104 caps, winning the World Cup in the progress. I rewarded Karl Miller with a spot for his career being a legend with a local club, St.Pauli.
-- Max Lorenz (Bremen) can operate as a left wingback, and Marco Bode was also used briefly in that position during the 2002 World Cup Finals. Thus, I only selected one leftback. Andreas Brehme is probably Germany's greatest leftback. I left out Franz Merkhoffer who was a league legend in his time, and Christian Rahn, a St Pauli great.
-- I heard good things about FB/HB: Jürgen Werner (Hamburg), but I am not sure where he would fit into the team.
-- Stefan Effenberg and Toni Kroos were the best in their position during their prime. Dieter Eilts was a key figure in Germany winning the Euro 1996. He is also an all-time great with Werder Bremen. I took Wolfgang Rolff because he was a club hero.
-- Julian Brandt (Bremen) is too young to be considered at the time of writing.
-- The attack lacks a good right side winger so I selected Bernd Dörfel who was listed one of the best right wingers in Bundesliga durimng his time. His brother Gert Dörfel (Germany) played on the left. I took him over Caspar Memering (Lower Saxony).
-- Klaus Stürmer, Bernd Dörfel, and Gert Dörfel did not have a supreme international reputation liked Joachim Streich and Uwe Seeler. However, they were Bundesliga's legends in their own right.
-- Joachim Streich is East Germany (GDR)'s all-time appearance record and leading scorer. His international performance was a major factor for his selection.
-- During my research, Otto Harder was often overlooked many times. His history with the SS Schutzstaffel during the War might have affected how people remembered him. His selection was controversial. Despite of the fact that he was a war criminal, I selected him based on his football career.
-- Carsten Jancker might be a useful player to have, but I do not have enough space.
Formation
Stefan Effenberg will mainly operate as a box-to-box midfielders, and Toni Kroos as a deep lying midfielder. I am not sure if Adolf Jäger can operate as a wing forward.
