News of his passing was announced by his club “Eintracht-Frankfurt”
A legendary football player and member of the 1974 World Cup-winning team Bernd Hoelzenbein has passed away at age 78.
Hoelzenbein played for West Germany and scored five goals in 40 appearances, and was known for his ability to play as a striker or winger. Hoelzenbein made a key contribution in the 1974 World Cup final against the Netherlands, earning the penalty that led to the equalizer scored by Paul Breitner.
The match was won by Germany 2-1 with Gerd Muller’s decisive goal. Hoelzenbein also played in the 1976 European Championships, where he scored a late goal against Czechoslovakia to force a 2-2 draw, although Germany eventually lost in the penalty shootout.
Hoelzenbein had a distinguished career with Eintracht Frankfurt, where he scored 160 goals in 420 appearances, making him the club’s all-time leading scorer. He won three German Cups and the UEFA Cup during his 14-year tenure, and his contribution to the club’s history remains significant.
