Bernd Bransch was a former East German footballer. He passed away at the age of 77. Let’s see how did he die, what happened, and what was Bernd Bransch Cause of Death.
How did Bernd Bransch die?
Bernd Bransch, who led East Germany to a symbolic Cold War victory over West Germany in their only World Cup appearance, has died. He was 77.
Bransch’s former club Hallescher FC announced on Sunday that he died on Saturday after a “long, severe illness.”
Bransch was East Germany’s answer to West Germany’s charismatic star Franz Beckenbauer. Both men captained their national teams and played as sweepers, sitting deep in defense with enough space to launch counterattacks.
Bernd Bransch Cause of Death
Bernd Bransch, the former East German captain, died on Sunday at the age of 77 after a long illness, his old club Halle said in a statement.
Bransch made 72 appearances for East Germany and was named East German Footballer of the Year twice.
He led the team to their only World Cup finals appearance in 1974, in West Germany, where they defeated the hosts, who went on to win the tournament.
Bransch also assisted East Germany in winning Olympic gold in 1976 and bronze in 1972.
Bernd Bransch’s Career
Bransch began his athletic career as a child at BSG Motor Halle-Süd. In 1954, the son of a locksmith was allowed to join the sports club SC Chemie Halle. Bransch spent his entire career with SC Chemie Halle and its successor, Hallescher FC Chemie, with the exception of the 1973/74 season, when he played for FC Carl Zeiss Jena.
When they met in the 1974 World Cup in West Germany, Bransch’s team came out on top, defeating West Germany 1-0 thanks to a goal from Jürgen Sparwasser. Both teams advanced from the first group stage, but East Germany was eliminated in the second round, while West Germany won the tournament with a 2-1 victory over the Netherlands in the final.
Bransch’s biggest career achievement came two years later, when he won the Olympic gold medal with East Germany, coming on as a substitute in the final’s 3-1 victory over Poland. The Olympic soccer tournament was strictly for amateurs back then, though satellite states of the Soviet Union, such as East Germany, dominated with squads of players who were registered as amateurs but played and trained full-time.
Bransch retired in 1977 from Hallescher FC, which was known as HFC Chemie in the East German league during his playing days. He later served as club president. Bransch appeared in 317 league games, scoring 43 goals.
Tribute to Bernd Bransch’s Death
Joel Amorim said,
Very sad day for football… The legendary GDR captain, Bernd Bransch, the man that was shaking hands with Franz Beckenbauer in that famous picture of the 1974 World Cup match between the GDR and West Germany, passed away today at the age of 77. Rest in peace, legend.
Tardelli said,
Bernd #Bransch is overleden. Aanvoerder van de DDR op het enige WK dat het land speelde, het WK 1974 dus. Linksbenige libero met verwoestend schot, verder een echte ‘Abwehrhüne’. Icoon van @HallescherFC , kortstondig @fccarlzeissjena. Speelde 64 interlands, is 77 jaar geworden.
Pit Gottschalk said,
News content writer.