Uwe Seeler

Uwe Seeler, 2006

Uwe Seeler ( born November 5, 1936 in Hamburg ) is a former German football player. He was in his playing days as one of the best center forward in the world. Because of his contributions to German football, he was made the DFB in 1972 as second player ever to honorary captain of the national team, although he never won a title with her. Seeler is an honorary citizen of his home town of Hamburg.

7.1 successes with the national
7.2 successes with the HSV
7.3 Personal Achievements
7.4 Awards

Youth

Uwe Seeler was born in Hamburg, the third child of Anni and Erwin Seeler and is the younger brother of Dieter Seeler. He came from a sports family, because even his father, who made his money as a docker, counted from the 1920s to the 1940s, the most popular soccer players of the Hanseatic city. Since he last played for Hamburger SV, the father enrolled his sons and Uwe Dieter 1946 also at HSV for football games. Uwe Seeler graduated after completed primary school in Hamburg- Eppendorf in 1952 an apprenticeship as a shipping clerk in Hamburg.

Club career

Since 1946, the young Uwe played in the youth department of the HSV, the largest sports club of the hanseatic city. There he ran in 1953 with only 16 years for the first time for the seniors team in an official match. As of July 1954, he was thanks to a special permit from the DFB permanently in the league team (Oberliga Nord) eligible to play. The combative Striker succeeded on August 29, 1954 in the match against VfB Oldenburg his first Oberligator. Then Seeler was the undisputed master player in the storm center of the Hanseatic League and out of the team here to stay. His hit rate was phenomenal and as a regular scorer in the Oberliga Nord (1956: 32 goals; 1957: 31 goals; 1959: 29 goals; 1960: 36 goals; 1961: 29 goals in 1962: 28 goals ), he underscored his reputation as the best center forward in Germany. The HSV dominated his regional association and has nine consecutive times from 1955-1963 North German Oberliga champions. 1957 and 1958 he was with his team each in the final of the German Cup, but had to be beaten twice to give and be content with the title as runner-up. End of the season 1959/60 Hamburger SV again reached the final of the German Cup and met on the 1st FC Cologne. After two hits from Seeler HSV 3-2 third title win celebrated in their history and Seeler himself had finally won a major trophy. In the same year he was first elected to Germany's Footballer of the Year and was also commonly referred to as one of Europe's best strikers.

1961 Seeler received a lucrative offer from Italy's top club Inter Milan, which offered him 1.2 million D- Mark - at that time one of the highest transfer fee ever offered - and gave the fans in an uproar. His longtime friend Adi Dassler offered Seeler to take on the Adidas representative for Northern Germany, to persuade him to stay in Hamburg. Seeler renounced the change and remained in his hometown, where his supporters cheered the decision. In 1963 he won the DFB-Pokal with the HSV. 3-0 victory in the final over Borussia Dortmund scored Seeler all the goals, which he succeeded as the first player scored three goals in the cup final.

In the season 1963/64, the HSV was included in the newly founded Bundesliga and was traded after the latest successes as one of the favorites for the championship. However, while the team finished a disappointing sixth place at the end, star striker Seeler was not to stop and secured with 30 goals the title of the first Bundesliga scorer. As an expression of his strong performances Seeler in 1964 for the second time Germany's Footballer of the Year. In February 1965, Seelers career seemed to have ended when he was in Frankfurt drew upon a torn Achilles tendon in the Bundesliga. But six months later he was back on the pitch, with one of Adi Dassler hand-crafted specialty shoe was laced, and was soon back to its former performance. But the HSV lived through in those years no athletic heyday and landed regularly in the middle of the league. Seeler but the association remained loyal and was in the 1968/69 season with 23 goals second in the scoring charts behind Gerd Müller. International attended the " Red Shorts " but more impressively, as in 1968 the final of the European Cup Winners' Cup reached ( HSV, as a finalist in 1967, played in this competition, because final opponents Bayern Munich as defending the European Cup also again took part ), but there were subject to no chance against AC Milan 0-2. It should be Seelers last final. In May 1972, " Uns Uwe " came with a game of HSV back against a world selection from active competition.

This resignation he interrupted one more time when he, on April 23, 1978 denied a guest performance at the Cork Celtic FC in the first Irish League at the request of the sporting goods manufacturer Adidas, with whom he was professionally associated. Seeler was not aware claims to be, that it has acted as a point game because he was unaware that in the Irish League for matches of guest players could be registered. In the 6-2 win against Shamrock Rovers he scored 2 goals.

Career in the national team

Seeler was part of the inaugural team of A-Juniors U-18 selection, on March 31, 1953 in Liege - on the occasion of the inaugural FIFA tournament this age group - 3-2 victory over Argentina; next Seeler also met striker Matheus. Seeler played ten times in this range and scored 15 goals, including 4 goals on April 11, 1954 in Wuppertal in a 6-1 win over the Saarland. Became aware of the qualities of the young striker, national coach Sepp Herberger appointed him on October 16, 1954 in the senior national team, in the Seeler at the age of only 17 years, made his debut in the 1-3 defeat against France. The breakthrough to the international top star managed to Seeler at the World Cup 1958 in Sweden, where he made the storm together with Helmut Rahn and Hans Schaefer. In the group matches against Argentina and Northern Ireland succeeded each a hit. The end for Germany came in the semifinal against Sweden, where Seeler was injured and in the third place match against France was unable to attend. " There are certainly playful far better player," Herberger later admitted, "but no one has the talent like Uwe Seeler, to achieve as much effect on small space against the strongest guard. "

1961 was Seeler in the game against Denmark for the first time the captain's armband. In this game, the only 1.68 m wide striker in a 5-1 success hat-trick with three headed goals. As with HSV, he was now ascended also in the national team for combative role model and guide players. Seeler was at the 1962 World Cup in Chile, the great storm hope the German team. Germany was sovereign group winners, with Seeler with two goals helped. But in the quarter-finals followed by the disappointment when Germany was eliminated in a 0-1 defeat against Yugoslavia and could go home. After the World Cup Team Captain Hans Schaefer retired from international football and henceforth Seeler was a former deputy new captain.

After his serious Achilles tendon injury in 1965 Seeler was on time re- fit and the captain shot his team to the goal in a 2-1 victory over Sweden to the World Cup finals in 1966 to England. At the World Cup, the German team showed a strong performance, which was also due to the new internationals Franz Beckenbauer, Wolfgang Overath and Sigfried Held. Germany was group winners, and Seeler headed the decisive goal in a 2-1 victory over Spain at. In the quarterfinals, Uruguay was swept 4-0 by the court ( a Seeler gateway to the intermediate 3:0). In the semifinals, the Soviet Union was defeated 2-1, and Seeler standing with his team in the World Cup final against hosts England. In the legendary Final at Wembley Germany was defeated with 2:4 nV and was vice-champion. Made famous is the image of the German captain, who sneaks after the final whistle with his head down from the square. It has often been written that this photo was taken in the cabin after the first half, when walking, as this alleged Seeler for a long time itself. The justification has been advised of the band on the field, this was, however, also be seen after the final whistle on the pitch, as well as in the TV recording. Uwe Seeler presented itself now also in his autobiography, "Thank you, football," states that the photo was taken after the game. Seeler was referred despite the final defeat as one of the best players in the entire tournament.

1968 Seeler said his resignation from the national team, but gave the urging of coach Helmut Schön after and returned to the team back, the coach wanted to inflict the team by Seelers use more international experience. At the World Cup tournament in Mexico in 1970 played the already 33 -year-old as a trailing peak behind Gerd Müller. The use of the re- appointed captain should pay off; in the group stage get him scoring against Morocco and Bulgaria. The entire team benefited from his experience. In the quarter- final against defending champions England, he probably scored the strangest gate of his international career, as he deflected the ball just before the end of 2-2 (final score 3:2 for Germany ) with the back of his head into the goal. In the semifinals, separated the DFB in a dramatic game ( " Game of the Century " ) with 3:4 nV against Italy and finished after a 1-0 win over Uruguay in third place. Despite his age he counted as one of the "discoveries" of the World Cup and delivered as in 1966 an outstanding tournament from. So, for example, went two Müller- gates in the extension of the semi-finals at the 1970 World Cup against Italy a won ball soaring ahead of Seeler.

With his last international match against Hungary on 9 September 1970, he surpassed the record set by Paul Janes, who had since 1942 inventory. He held the record until 24 November 1973, was then surpassed by Franz Beckenbauer. He scored 43 goals, his last was the 2-2 in the quarter- final against England at the 1970 World Cup. Thus he has the best strike rate of all German players with more than 70 international matches. Seeler took part in the World Championships 1958, 1962, 1966 and 1970, where he was employed in a total of 21 international matches. He managed to enroll in all four World Cup tournaments on the scoresheet, a feat that only Pelé succeeded except him. Seeler managed this in the 56th minute of the match against Morocco by the 1-1 draw, Pele in the 59th minute in the simultaneous game of Brazil against Czechoslovakia. Seeler was the first player with more than 20 World Cup matches. His record was surpassed by Lothar Matthäus in 1998.

Career after

After his time as an active athlete Seeler worked successfully as a business owner that offers sportswear, and as a representative for Adidas (an activity he wielded the mediation of Sepp Herberger since 1961 and for which he in 1970 about two days a week spent. During this time he was also the owner of a gas station. ).

In addition, he is active in various volunteer positions, including in the context of Uwe Seeler Self tradition, a team with more than 60 former professionals who denies annually about 10 to 15 Friendship and charity matches of varying composition.

Uwe Seeler was also active for the Augsburg charity football team Datschiburger Kickers, which is committed to fundraising for charitable purposes.

From 1995 to 1998, Seeler President of HSV. Although he himself no improprieties were assumed, he could not prevent at this time other officials damaged the reputation of the association with dubious transactions. In 2003 he published his autobiography, " Thank you, football! ". Uwe Seeler lives in Norderstedt near Hamburg.

Public image

Seeler is seen in public mostly as a down to earth, sincere, straightforward and uncomplicated man. For this image have contributed not only his sportsmanship - he received in his long career, only a single field reference or from 1970 Red Card - and his rejection of the sensational bid in 1961 then very high for the sum of 1.2 million D- Mark switch to Inter Milan, but also his way of life which has no scandals or airs.

1971, Uwe Seeler a brief guest appearance in the film Willi the child is already rocking with Heinz Erhardt and Hannelore Elsner. He played himself thereby On 10 April 2005, he took over in a guest appearance at Dittsche the position of ' turtle '. Since 2008, Seeler is engaged as a pacemaker for the Tom - Wahlig Foundation, which advocates for the research and cure of spastic paraplegia.

Seeler is even decades after the end of his playing career, one of the most popular athletes in Hamburg, which has expressed itself in the awarding of honorary citizenship to him in 2003. He received this award as the first athlete.

On August 24, 2005 by the Hamburg-based entrepreneur Andreas mask ( mask AG) was unveiled donated bronze replica of his right foot. This 250,000 -euro sculpture stands in front of the HSV- Arena, is about four tons, 5.15 meters wide, 3.50 meters high and points to his various injuries through tireless efforts.

Its popularity is also reflected in the spread for him called " Uns Uwe " ( Low German for " our Uwe" ) from, even in circles of supporters of local rivals FC St. Pauli, where, however, he also ironically " you Uwe" is called.

Uwe Seeler Price

In 1986, the Hamburg Senate donated on the occasion of his 50th birthday the Uwe Seeler price. Seeler waived at that time to the orientation of larger celebrations. Youth departments of football clubs of Hamburg Football Association Instead annually honored with 5,000 Euros.

Personal

Seeler is married since 1959 and has three daughters.
His grandson Levin Öztunali (* 1996) plays 04 Leverkusen Bayer.

Awards and achievements

Success with the national team

Vice world champion 1966 in England
World Cup bronze medalist in 1970 in Mexico
World Cup 1958 in Sweden Fourth

Success with the HSV

Second place in the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1968
German Champion 1960
Vice-Champion 1957, 1958
German Cup: DFB-Pokal 1963
Second place in the DFB Cup DFB Pokal 1956 DFB Cup 1967
Nine times in a row, North German Champion (1955-1963)

Personal Achievements

Scorer in the Oberliga Nord in 1954/55, 1955 /56, 1956/57, 1958/59, 1959/60, 1960/61, 1961/62
First scorer of the Bundesliga 1963/64 with 30 goals
Scorer of the European Cup Winners' Cup 1967/68

Awards

793899