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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| Guido Buchwald and Matthais Sammer |
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
This is my selection of a 23 member all-time team for the German states in the Eastern parts of Germany. The area consisted of Brandenburg, Mecklenburg Vorpommern, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia and the city of Berlin. With the exception of Berlin, all of the states were parts of German Democratic Republic (GDR). During the Cold War, Berlin was divided into West and East Berlin.
* Players from Mecklenburg Vorpommern are also included on my Northern Germany All-Time team.
In 2018, I created East Germany (GDR/DDR) All-Tme team. That team was about players from German Democratic Republic. However, this Eastern Germany All-Time team is about all German players born in the Eastern part of Germany. The players considered were active throughout the history of Germany, before or after the Cold War. Matthias Sammer, Toni Kroos, Pierce Littibarski, Thomas Hassler, Guido Buchwald, Michael Ballack, Hans-Jurgen Dorner and Jürgen Croy are some of the more famous players available from this area.
At the time of writing (the 2020-2021 season), only three clubs from the Eastern part of Germany competes in the Bundesliga. Hertha Berlin, a club from West Germany, plays regularly in the first tier of the German league. RB Leipzig is a club founded after the Cold War in 2009. It rises dramatically through the German league since money poured in from Red Bulls. The third club is Union Berlin, a former GDR club that normally played in the lower division. FC Hansa Rostock and Dynamo Dresden also spent some time in the top flight. FC Magdeburg won the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in 1974, but they have been playing the lower tier in recent history.
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| Pierre Littbarski and Thomas Hassler |
GK: Jürgen Croy (Saxony)
Jürgen Croy was probably one of the greatest keepers of his generations. He spent his entire career with BSG Sachsenring Zwickau (today FSV Zwickau). He was one of East Germany's few international players not to play for a top club. He was capped 86 caps. He won the Gold medal in 1976 Olympic Games and went to the 1974 World Cup Finals in East Germany, the East German pulled an upset over West Germany.
Jürgen Croy was probably one of the greatest keepers of his generations. He spent his entire career with BSG Sachsenring Zwickau (today FSV Zwickau). He was one of East Germany's few international players not to play for a top club. He was capped 86 caps. He won the Gold medal in 1976 Olympic Games and went to the 1974 World Cup Finals in East Germany, the East German pulled an upset over West Germany.
GK: Horst Wolter (Berlin)
Wolter played almost 250 West German top-flight matches for Braunschweig and Hertha BSC. He won a Bundesliga title with Eintracht Braunschweig in 1967. He only won 13 caps for the West German national team between 1967 and 1970, largely because of Sepp Maier. Wolter made his final match for Die Mannschaft in the third-place play-off win at the 1970 FIFA World Cup, replacing regular first choice Sepp Maier, against Uruguay.
Horst Wolter
GK: René Adler (Saxony)
Adler started at age six playing for VfB Leipzig's youth side. After nine years for Leipzig, Adler joined the youth system of Bayer 04 Leverkusen in 2000. He signed a five-year contract at Bundesliga rivals Hamburger SV in 2012. He made his debut for Germany on 11 October 2008 in a World Cup qualifier against Russia. Despite having been confirmed as Germany's main team goalkeeper for the World Cup, a serious rib injury prevented him from travelling to South Africa.
Urbanczyk played for Chemie Halle and later Hallescher FC Chemie – in the DDR-Oberliga. He played for East Germany between 1961 and 1969. In 1964, he won a Bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics for the Unified German team(only East German players were used). In the same year, Urbanczyk won the East German Sportsperson of the Year award – the only time that a footballer won the award. He also won the East German Footballer of the Year award that year.
RB: Bernd Patzke (Berlin)
In 1962, Patzke started with Standard Liège in Belgium . After winning the Belgian championship, he joined TSV 1860 Munich in 1964. Between 1964 and 1972, he played 202 games in the Bundesliga for 1860 Munich and Hertha BSC. He was later banned because of the 1971 Bundesliga scandal. He moved to play in South Africa. He won 24 caps between 1965 and 1971. He was a member of the 1966 and 1970 World Cup team.
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| Bernd Patzke |
SW: Hans-Jurgen Dorner (Saxony)
Hans-Jurgen Dorner joined Dynamo Dresden in 1968 where he won five first division DDR-Oberliga titles and five FDGB-Pokale (East German Cup). He captained Dynamo Dresden from 1977 to his retirement, and is the clubs most decorated captain and he was voted the teams greatest ever player in 1999. He was capped 96 times for East Germany, winning a gold medal as vital part of that country's Olympic team at the 1976 Montreal Olympics.
Hans-Jurgen Dorner joined Dynamo Dresden in 1968 where he won five first division DDR-Oberliga titles and five FDGB-Pokale (East German Cup). He captained Dynamo Dresden from 1977 to his retirement, and is the clubs most decorated captain and he was voted the teams greatest ever player in 1999. He was capped 96 times for East Germany, winning a gold medal as vital part of that country's Olympic team at the 1976 Montreal Olympics.
CB: Jérôme Boateng (Berlin)
Jérôme Boateng started his career with Hertha Berlin and SV Hamburger. He played a single season with Manchester City before joining Bayern Munich. He is the half-brother of Kevin-Prince Boateng who played for Ghana. Since the World Cup Finals of 2010, he is a major player for the national team. In 2010, they became the first siblings to play against each other in a World Cup match.
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| Jerome Boateng |
SW: Konrad Weise (Thuringia)
Konrad Weise played his career at senior level for FC Carl Zeiss Jena between 1970 and 1986. He had over 80 caps between 1970 to 1981. He ranked 4th in appearance record for the East German national team. He was a member of the 1974 World Cup team and won a Gold medal at the 1976 Summer Olympics.
Konrad Weise played his career at senior level for FC Carl Zeiss Jena between 1970 and 1986. He had over 80 caps between 1970 to 1981. He ranked 4th in appearance record for the East German national team. He was a member of the 1974 World Cup team and won a Gold medal at the 1976 Summer Olympics.
CB/CM: Guido Buchwald (Berlin)
The best game of Buchwald's career was probably the final of the 1990 FIFA World Cup where he effectively marked the skilled footballer Diego Maradona, earning him the nickname "Diego". He was also part of Germany's disappointing 1994 FIFA World Cup squad and collected in his career 76 caps. He spent most of his career with Stuttgart, winning two league titles. At the end of his career, he played in Japan.
The best game of Buchwald's career was probably the final of the 1990 FIFA World Cup where he effectively marked the skilled footballer Diego Maradona, earning him the nickname "Diego". He was also part of Germany's disappointing 1994 FIFA World Cup squad and collected in his career 76 caps. He spent most of his career with Stuttgart, winning two league titles. At the end of his career, he played in Japan.
LW: Christian Ziege (Berlin)
Christian Ziege started his playing career at Bayern Munich in 1990, where he won two Bundesliga titles and a UEFA Cup before moving to AC Milan in 1997. He later played for Middlesbrough, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspurs and Borussia Mönchengladbach. He played 72 times for Germany between 1993 and 2004., He attended all major tournaments during this period, winning the European Championship in 1996.
Christian Ziege started his playing career at Bayern Munich in 1990, where he won two Bundesliga titles and a UEFA Cup before moving to AC Milan in 1997. He later played for Middlesbrough, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspurs and Borussia Mönchengladbach. He played 72 times for Germany between 1993 and 2004., He attended all major tournaments during this period, winning the European Championship in 1996.
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| Christian Ziege |
Heinrich joined amateur side Kickers Emden in 1990. In 1994, he left Kickers Emden for Bundesliga side SC Freiburg. In 1997, he also won the Champions League with Borussia Dortmund, playing all 90 minutes in their 3–1 victory over Juventus in the Final. In 1998, Heinrich moved to ACF Fiorentina before returning to Borussia Dortmund in 2000. He was capped 37 times. He started at the WC Finals in France.
CM: Toni Kroos (Mecklenburg-Vorpommern)
Toni Kroos was a member of Bayern Munich's first team at the age of 17. He 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 two Champions League titles. He is a key player for Die Mannschaft since 2010. He has earned over a century of caps. He won the World Cup in 2014 as one of Germany's star players.
Toni Kroos was a member of Bayern Munich's first team at the age of 17. He 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 two Champions League titles. He is a key player for Die Mannschaft since 2010. He has earned over a century of caps. He won the World Cup in 2014 as one of Germany's star players.
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| Toni Kroos |
CM/SW: Matthias Sammer (Saxony)
With Borussia Dortmund as a player, Sammer won the Bundesliga and DFL-Supercup in 1995, the Bundesliga, DFL-Supercup, and European Footballer of the Year in 1996, and the UEFA Champions League and Intercontinental Cup in 1997. He also played for Inter Milan and Dynamo Dresden. With Die Mannschaft as a player, Sammer won the UEFA Euro 1996, where he was named the tournament's best player, and was subsequently awarded the Ballon d'Or later that year. Sammer retired with 74 total caps, 23 for East Germany and 51 for the unified side.
With Borussia Dortmund as a player, Sammer won the Bundesliga and DFL-Supercup in 1995, the Bundesliga, DFL-Supercup, and European Footballer of the Year in 1996, and the UEFA Champions League and Intercontinental Cup in 1997. He also played for Inter Milan and Dynamo Dresden. With Die Mannschaft as a player, Sammer won the UEFA Euro 1996, where he was named the tournament's best player, and was subsequently awarded the Ballon d'Or later that year. Sammer retired with 74 total caps, 23 for East Germany and 51 for the unified side.
RM/CM: Bernd Schneider (Thuringia)
Nicknamed Schnix by fans and teammates, Schneider started out at his hometown club Carl Zeiss Jena and made a name for himself during his decade-long stint at Bayer Leverkusen. He earned the nickname "The White Brazilian" for his dribbling and passing skills as well as his accurate free kicks and corners. Capped 81 times. He was a key player at the WC Finals in 2006.
Nicknamed Schnix by fans and teammates, Schneider started out at his hometown club Carl Zeiss Jena and made a name for himself during his decade-long stint at Bayer Leverkusen. He earned the nickname "The White Brazilian" for his dribbling and passing skills as well as his accurate free kicks and corners. Capped 81 times. He was a key player at the WC Finals in 2006.
AM/CM: Michael Ballack (Saxony)
Born in East Germany, Michael Ballack was the best German player of his generation. first made his name with Bayer Leverkusen, helping them to the Final of the Champions' League in 2002. On the same summer, he helped Germany reaching the Final of Japan/Korea 2002. He moved to Bayern Munich after the WC Finals. he also played for Chelsea before his retirement.
Born in East Germany, Michael Ballack was the best German player of his generation. first made his name with Bayer Leverkusen, helping them to the Final of the Champions' League in 2002. On the same summer, he helped Germany reaching the Final of Japan/Korea 2002. He moved to Bayern Munich after the WC Finals. he also played for Chelsea before his retirement.
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| Michael Ballack |
Hassler was a star player in the 1990's. He played for Koln, Juventus, Roma, Karlsruher, 1860 Munich and SV Salzburg. He appeared over 100 times for the German national team. He was a member of the teams which won the 1990 FIFA World Cup (as West Germany) and UEFA Euro 1996. He also appeared at the 1994 and 1998 FIFA World Cups, the 1992 and 2000 UEFA European Championships, and the 1988 Olympic Games.
RW/AM: Pierre Littbarski (Berlin)
Littibarski was a major star in the 1980's. He had over 70 caps and played in three WC Finals with Germany reaching the Final all 3 times, winning his final World Cup in 1990. He spent most of his career with Koln. Littbarski spent most of his playing career at 1. FC Köln, winning the DFB-Pokal once, in 1983, and was three times runner up in the Bundesliga (1982, 1989 and 1990). He also played in France and Japan.
LW: Eberhard Vogel (Saxony)
Vogel was one of the greatest East German footballers. Vogel played for FC Karl-Marx-Stadt (1961–1970) and FC Carl Zeiss Jena (1970–1982). His 440 appearances for both clubs combined was the record for East German top-flight football. For the national team, he played for the East German national team 74 times, and was a participant at the 1974 FIFA World Cup. In 1969, he won the award for the GDR Footballer of the Year.
Vogel was one of the greatest East German footballers. Vogel played for FC Karl-Marx-Stadt (1961–1970) and FC Carl Zeiss Jena (1970–1982). His 440 appearances for both clubs combined was the record for East German top-flight football. For the national team, he played for the East German national team 74 times, and was a participant at the 1974 FIFA World Cup. In 1969, he won the award for the GDR Footballer of the Year.
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| Eberhard Vogel |
FW: Jürgen Sparwasser (Saxony-Anhalt)
Sparwasser started his playing career with BSG Lokomotive Halberstadt in 1956. In 1965, he moved to 1. FC Magdeburg. He was part of the team that won the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in 1974. Between 1969 and 1977, he played in 49 times for East Germany. He also made six appearances for East Germany at the 1974 World Cup finals, where he scored the winning goal in a politically prestigious match against West Germany.
Sparwasser started his playing career with BSG Lokomotive Halberstadt in 1956. In 1965, he moved to 1. FC Magdeburg. He was part of the team that won the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in 1974. Between 1969 and 1977, he played in 49 times for East Germany. He also made six appearances for East Germany at the 1974 World Cup finals, where he scored the winning goal in a politically prestigious match against West Germany.
ST: Joachim Streich (Mecklenburg-Vorpommern)
Joachim 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.
Joachim 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: Ulf Kirsten (Saxony)
Ulf Kirsten started with Dynamo Dresden. He was one of the first East German footballers to enter the Bundesliga after the German reunification. In the German Bundesliga he played 350 matches for Bayer Leverkusen and scored 182 goals. Kirsten's 100 caps are almost evenly split: 49 for East Germany and 51 for the re-unified Germany. Kirsten played for his country at the 1994 and 1998 World Cups and Euro 2000.
Ulf Kirsten started with Dynamo Dresden. He was one of the first East German footballers to enter the Bundesliga after the German reunification. In the German Bundesliga he played 350 matches for Bayer Leverkusen and scored 182 goals. Kirsten's 100 caps are almost evenly split: 49 for East Germany and 51 for the re-unified Germany. Kirsten played for his country at the 1994 and 1998 World Cups and Euro 2000.
ST: Hans-Jürgen Kreische (Saxony)
Kreische spent his entire career with his hometown club, Dynamo Dresden, scoring 127 goals in 234 DDR-Oberliga games between 1964 and 1978. He was East Germany's top scorer in 1971, 1972, 1973 and 1976, and was player of the year in 1973. Kreische was an East German international, scoring 25 goals in 50 appearances. He was part of the 1974 World Cup squad, and was also in the 1972 Olympic bronze medal winning team.
Kreische spent his entire career with his hometown club, Dynamo Dresden, scoring 127 goals in 234 DDR-Oberliga games between 1964 and 1978. He was East Germany's top scorer in 1971, 1972, 1973 and 1976, and was player of the year in 1973. Kreische was an East German international, scoring 25 goals in 50 appearances. He was part of the 1974 World Cup squad, and was also in the 1972 Olympic bronze medal winning team.
ST: Richard Hofmann (Saxony)
Hofman began his career with the Meerane 07 club in 1922. In 1927 he was signed by English coach Jimmy Hogan for Dresdner SC. , becoming known to fans as "König" ("King") Richard. He started his international career in 1927, scoring a hat-trick against Switzerland. In 1930, playing for the national team against England, he scored a hat-trick in a 3–3 draw. In all, he played 25 times for the national team, scoring 24 goals. He captained the German team in four matches. , a
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| Richard Hofmann |
Honorable Mention
Hans-Ulrich Grapenthin, Lothar Kurbjuweit, Thomas Linke, Carsten Ramelow, Robert Huth, Marko Rehmer, Matthias Herget, Robert Enke, Erwin Helmchen, Camillo Ugi, Jürgen Nöldner, Thomas Doll, Andreas Thom, Erwin Helmchen, Helmut Schön, Matthias Herget, Marcel Schmelzer, Tim Borowski, Carsten Jancker, Georg Köhler, Uwe Kliemann, Clemens Fritz.
Squad Explanation
-- I found several good players from Berlin. The origin idea was to form an Berlin All-Time team. Then, I also came upon several players of note from the Eastern states before the formation of the German Democratic Republic. If I combined with the players from East German Players after 1990, and East Germany (GDR/DDR) All-Tme team with them, this blog team can be formidable.
-- Mecklenburg-Vorpommern 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 should not exclude the state from my Northern Germany just because of the political division of the Cold War. 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 this Eastern German regional blog team.
-- I quickly selected the following players: Matthias Sammer, Toni Kroos, Pierce Littibarski, Thomas Hassler, Guido Buchwald, Michael Ballack, Hans-Jurgen Dorner and Jürgen Croy.
-- Helmut Schön was born in Dresden under the German Empire. He was the manager of the West German national team in four consecutive World Cup tournaments, including winning the title in 1974, losing in the final in 1966, and coming in third in 1970. In addition, his teams won the European Championship in 1972 and lost in the final in 1976.
-- Richard Hofmann, Erwin Helmchen, Helmut Schön and Camillo Ugi represented Germany before the breaking apart of Germany after the Second World War. Only Hofmann made this team.
-- In 1905, Camillo Ugi moved from Leipzig to play in Brazil.
-- I also selected 9 former GDR international players. Jürgen Croy, Eberhard Vogel and Hans-Jurgen Dorner from GDR were highly rated. They probably would have earned caps with West Germany if they were born in the West. The others are Hans-Jürgen Kreische, Konrad Weise, Jürgen Sparwasser and Klaus Urbanczyk. Both Ulf Kirsten and Matthais Sammer later played for the unified German national team.
-- Niko Kovač (Croatia), Robert Kovač (Croatia), Hakan Balta (Turkey) and Kevin-Prince Boetang (Ghana) were also born in the region. They are ineligible.
-- Eight footballers selected came from Saxony.
-- Seven players were born in Berlin. Bernd Patzke and Horst Wolter were born in Berlin before the Cold War. The rest were from West Berlin (Jerome Boateng was born before the Fall of the Berlin Wall). The 1990 World Cup winning team consisted of three West Berliners: Guido Buchwald, Thomas Hassler and Pierre Littibarski.
-- Jürgen Croy was widely considered one of the best in his generation. If he played for an unified Germany, he would be overshadowed by Sepp Maier, who was two years older. Nevertheless, he would be ranked very high among all German goalkeepers. Then, I selected Horst Wolter from the 1970 World Cup, followed by René Adler. I also considered Robert Enke very high.
-- For centerbacks, I first took Matthias Sammer and Hans-Jurgen Dorner (both mainly as sweepers) who were among the greatest players from GDR. It is hard to compare a GDR player against a West German player, but I took the highly-rated Konrad Weise from GDR. Jerome Boetang was an important member of the 2014 World Cup team. Thomas Linke, Carsten Ramelow, Marko Rehmer, Robert Huth and Lothar Kurbjuweit were overlooked.
-- Centerback Matthias Herget was born in East Germany (GDR), but he played for West Germany. I do not know his childhood story. He actually had a good reputation, but he never had the opportunity to showcase his talents in a big international tournament. Unfortunately, I could not find space for him.
-- I pushed Guido Buchwald to the midfield to give an extra place to a centerback. I prefer an extra centerback over Georg Köhler, Steffen Freund, Jens Jeremies and Tim Borowski.
-- Dariusz Wosz was born in Poland. He was eligible for East German Players after 1990, and East Germany (GDR/DDR) All-Tme team because he was capped by GDR. However, he is ineligible here because he was not born in Eastern Germany.
-- The last player was between Thomas Doll, Carsten Ramelow, Jürgen Nöldner and Bernd Schneider. In the 1990's, Doll was a highly sought after player when he moved to play in Serie A. Injuries kept him from reaching his potential. Since I took Jürgen Nöldner over Thomas Doll on my East Germany (DDR)All-Time team, I cannot take him over Jürgen Nöldner. I already have Sammer and Buchwald so I do not need Carsten Ramelow. Schneider is my logic choice. He played 81 times for Germany.
-- Jürgen Nöldner had a good reputation. Perhaps, he might be a better player than Schneider, but it was hard to evaluate a GDR player against a modern player from the unified Germany.
-- It would be wonderful to take Carsten Jancker. It is always nice to have a tall player on the bench, but he only makes honorable mention.
-- Andreas Thom was the first former GDR international to play for the unified Germany, but he only earned 10 caps in his career. I do not have space for him. Instead, I took Ulf Kirsten a combined 100 caps for East Germany and Germany. He helped Germany to reach the 2002 World Cup Final.
-- Jürgen Sparwasser earned a historical role when he scored against West Germany in the 1974 World Cup Finals. Furthermore, he helped FC Magdeburg to win the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in 1974. I considered that a miles stone for football in the region.
-- Richard Hofmann was one of Germany's greatest footballers before the War. He played under legendary coach Jimmy Hogan.
Formation
Both Thomas Hassler and Pierre Littbarski were similar, but Littbarski might a better player on the wide side. Ballack started over Hassler in the middle. I am not sure if I should start Eberhard Vogel. I think it is difficult to judge players from GDR against the players from other eras of Germany. Their exposures were limited. I pushed Sammer to the midfield so that I can play Dorner.
Great work Lincoln!
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