Helmut Haller
Encyclopedia
Helmut Haller is a former footballer who represented West Germany
at three World Cups.
A playmaker and striker who made his international debut at age 19 in 1958, he played at the 1962 FIFA World Cup
in Chile
, the 1966 FIFA World Cup
in England
and the 1970 FIFA World Cup
in Mexico
, earning a total of 33 caps and scoring 13 goals.
West Germany reached the final of the 1966 competition and Haller scored the opening goal of the game which Germany lost 2–4 to England
. Along with his second place medal, Haller also got the match ball, though more than 30 years later he returned to England to present it to Geoff Hurst
, who had scored a hat-trick
in the contest and was therefore by tradition considered to be entitled to the ball.
In his club career, Haller played for BC Augsburg (1948–1962), before moving to Italy
to join Bologna F.C. (1962–1968) and then Juventus (1968–1973). In 1973, he returned to his hometown and joined the newly created FC Augsburg
. Haller retired in 1979.
While playing in Italy
, Haller won the Scudetto three times (1964, 1972 and 1973). Haller was noted for his exceptional technique and finesse, yet also for his weight problems, which troubled him throughout his career.
The day after Christmas Day 2006 Haller suffered a serious heart attack and was reported to be recovering well after treatment.
He is an uncle of Christian Hochstätter
.
Germany national football team
The Germany national football team is the football team that has represented Germany in international competition since 1908. It is governed by the German Football Association , which was founded in 1900....
at three World Cups.
A playmaker and striker who made his international debut at age 19 in 1958, he played at the 1962 FIFA World Cup
1962 FIFA World Cup
The 1962 FIFA World Cup, the seventh staging of the World Cup, was held in Chile from 30 May to 17 June. It was won by Brazil, who retained the championship by beating Czechoslovakia 3–1 in the final...
in Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
, the 1966 FIFA World Cup
1966 FIFA World Cup
The 1966 FIFA World Cup, the eighth staging of the World Cup, was held in England from 11 July to 30 July. England beat West Germany 4–2 in the final, winning the World Cup for the first time, so becoming the first host to win the tournament since Italy in 1934.-Host selection:England was chosen as...
in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
and the 1970 FIFA World Cup
1970 FIFA World Cup
The 1970 FIFA World Cup, the ninth staging of the World Cup, was held in Mexico, from 31 May to 21 June. The 1970 tournament was the first World Cup hosted in North America, and the first held outside South America and Europe. In a match-up of two-time World Cup champions, the final was won by...
in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, earning a total of 33 caps and scoring 13 goals.
West Germany reached the final of the 1966 competition and Haller scored the opening goal of the game which Germany lost 2–4 to England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
. Along with his second place medal, Haller also got the match ball, though more than 30 years later he returned to England to present it to Geoff Hurst
Geoff Hurst
Sir Geoffrey Charles Hurst MBE is a retired England footballer best remembered for his years with West Ham. He made his mark in World Cup history as the only player to have scored a hat-trick in a World Cup final. His three goals came in the 1966 final for England in their 4–2 win over West...
, who had scored a hat-trick
Hat-trick
A hat-trick or hat trick in sport is the achievement of a positive feat three times during a game, or other achievements based on threes. The term was first used in 1858 in cricket to describe HH Stephenson's feat of taking three wickets in three balls. A collection was held for Stephenson, and he...
in the contest and was therefore by tradition considered to be entitled to the ball.
In his club career, Haller played for BC Augsburg (1948–1962), before moving to Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
to join Bologna F.C. (1962–1968) and then Juventus (1968–1973). In 1973, he returned to his hometown and joined the newly created FC Augsburg
FC Augsburg
FC Augsburg is a German football club based in Augsburg, Bavaria. The team was founded as Fußball-Klub Alemania Augsburg in 1907 and played as BC Augsburg from 1921 to 1969....
. Haller retired in 1979.
While playing in Italy
Serie A
Serie A , now called Serie A TIM due to sponsorship by Telecom Italia, is a professional league competition for football clubs located at the top of the Italian football league system and has been operating for over eighty years since 1929. It had been organized by Lega Calcio until 2010, but a new...
, Haller won the Scudetto three times (1964, 1972 and 1973). Haller was noted for his exceptional technique and finesse, yet also for his weight problems, which troubled him throughout his career.
The day after Christmas Day 2006 Haller suffered a serious heart attack and was reported to be recovering well after treatment.
He is an uncle of Christian Hochstätter
Christian Hochstätter
Christian Hochstätter is a retired German football player who is an athletic director for Hannover 96. He is a nephew of Helmut Haller...
.
Honours
- Bologna:
- Serie ASerie ASerie A , now called Serie A TIM due to sponsorship by Telecom Italia, is a professional league competition for football clubs located at the top of the Italian football league system and has been operating for over eighty years since 1929. It had been organized by Lega Calcio until 2010, but a new...
: 1963–64
- Serie A
- Juventus:
- Serie ASerie ASerie A , now called Serie A TIM due to sponsorship by Telecom Italia, is a professional league competition for football clubs located at the top of the Italian football league system and has been operating for over eighty years since 1929. It had been organized by Lega Calcio until 2010, but a new...
: 1971–72, 1972–73 - European Cup: Runner-up: 1972–73
- Inter-Cities Fairs CupInter-Cities Fairs CupThe Inter-Cities Fairs Cup was a European football competition played between 1955 and 1971. The competition was the idea of Swiss pools supremo Ernst Thommen, Ottorino Barassi from Italy, and the English Football Association general secretary Stanley Rous, all of whom later became senior officials...
: Runner-up: 1971 - Coppa ItaliaCoppa ItaliaThe Coppa Italia is an Italian football annual cup competition. Its first edition was held in 1922, but the second champions were not crowned until 1936. Roma and Juventus lead the way with nine wins. Roma has contested more finals, 16, while Torino and Juventus follow with 13...
: Runner-up: 1972–73
- Serie A
- Augsburg:
- Regionalliga Süd: 1973–74
National
- FIFA World CupFIFA World CupThe FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
- Runner-up: 1966
- Third-place: 19701970 FIFA World CupThe 1970 FIFA World Cup, the ninth staging of the World Cup, was held in Mexico, from 31 May to 21 June. The 1970 tournament was the first World Cup hosted in North America, and the first held outside South America and Europe. In a match-up of two-time World Cup champions, the final was won by...