Horst Eckel
Encyclopedia
Horst Eckel is a former German footballer.
In the 1954 FIFA World Cup qualifying, Eckel became the first substitute in the history of football. He was part of the West German
team that won the 1954 FIFA World Cup
. He also participated in the 1958 FIFA World Cup
. In total he earned 32 caps. During his club career he played for 1. FC Kaiserslautern
and SV Röchling Völklingen
.
Because of his rapid way of playing, he got the nickname Windhund (sighthound
).
Eckel debuted in Kaiserslautern's first team in 1947 at the age of 15. He won the German football championship with Kaiserslautern in 1951 and 1953. Eckel was playing as a right half back. As a player, Eckel was assiduous and adroit. During the 1954 FIFA World Cup
Eckel became an important pillar of the successful West German team. The strength of the right side of Sepp Herberger
's team was made possible due to Eckel's high defensive workrate and his passes, from which outside right Helmut Rahn
and inside right Max Morlock
benefitted enormously.
After his career, he retrained from toolmaker to teacher, a profession he practised until his retirement.
He was an advisor for The Miracle of Bern
, Sönke Wortmann
's movie about the 1954 FIFA World Cup
.
In the 1954 FIFA World Cup qualifying, Eckel became the first substitute in the history of football. He was part of the West German
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....
team that won the 1954 FIFA World Cup
1954 FIFA World Cup
The 1954 FIFA World Cup, the fifth staging of the FIFA World Cup, was held in Switzerland from 16 June to 4 July. Switzerland was chosen as hosts in July 1946. The tournament set a number of all-time records for goal-scoring, including the highest average goals scored per game...
. He also participated in the 1958 FIFA World Cup
1958 FIFA World Cup
The 1958 FIFA World Cup, the sixth staging of the World Cup, was hosted by Sweden from 8 June to 29 June. The tournament was won by Brazil, who beat Sweden 5–2 in the final for their first title. To date, this marks the only occasion that a World Cup staged in Europe was not won by a European...
. In total he earned 32 caps. During his club career he played for 1. FC Kaiserslautern
1. FC Kaiserslautern
1. Fußball-Club Kaiserslautern, also known as 1. FCK, FCK or simply Kaiserslautern, is a German association football club based in Kaiserslautern, Rhineland-Palatinate. On 2 June 1900, Germania 1896 and FG Kaiserslautern merged to create FC 1900...
and SV Röchling Völklingen
SV Röchling Völklingen
SV Röchling Völklingen is a German association football club that plays in Völklingen, part of the greater Saarbrücken, Saarland.-History:The club was founded as FC Völklingen on 26 April 1906 and re-named SV Völklingen in 1912 before folding in 1916 as a consequence of the fighting along the...
.
Because of his rapid way of playing, he got the nickname Windhund (sighthound
Sighthound
Sighthounds, also called gazehounds, are hounds that primarily hunt by speed and sight, instead of by scent and endurance as scent hounds do.-Appearance:...
).
Eckel debuted in Kaiserslautern's first team in 1947 at the age of 15. He won the German football championship with Kaiserslautern in 1951 and 1953. Eckel was playing as a right half back. As a player, Eckel was assiduous and adroit. During the 1954 FIFA World Cup
1954 FIFA World Cup
The 1954 FIFA World Cup, the fifth staging of the FIFA World Cup, was held in Switzerland from 16 June to 4 July. Switzerland was chosen as hosts in July 1946. The tournament set a number of all-time records for goal-scoring, including the highest average goals scored per game...
Eckel became an important pillar of the successful West German team. The strength of the right side of Sepp Herberger
Sepp Herberger
Josef "Sepp" Herberger was a German football player and manager...
's team was made possible due to Eckel's high defensive workrate and his passes, from which outside right Helmut Rahn
Helmut Rahn
Helmut Rahn, known as Der Boss , was a German football player. He became a legend for having scored the winning goal in the final game of the 1954 FIFA World Cup .- Career :...
and inside right Max Morlock
Max Morlock
Maximilian Morlock was one of the most popular German football players in the 1950s and early 1960s. In his time with the West German national team, he earned 26 caps and scored 21 goals...
benefitted enormously.
After his career, he retrained from toolmaker to teacher, a profession he practised until his retirement.
He was an advisor for The Miracle of Bern
The Miracle of Bern
The Miracle of Bern is a 2003 film by Sönke Wortmann, which tells the story of a German family and the unexpected West German miracle victory in the 1954 World Cup Final in Bern, Switzerland.The film can be regarded as a portrait of post-war Germany...
, Sönke Wortmann
Sönke Wortmann
Sönke Wortmann is a German film director and producer.- Biography :Wortmann’s father was a miner. After Wortmann’s A-Levels he wanted to become a professional football player and started playing with Westfalia Herne at the third best category and with SP Vgg Erkenschwick...
's movie about the 1954 FIFA World Cup
1954 FIFA World Cup
The 1954 FIFA World Cup, the fifth staging of the FIFA World Cup, was held in Switzerland from 16 June to 4 July. Switzerland was chosen as hosts in July 1946. The tournament set a number of all-time records for goal-scoring, including the highest average goals scored per game...
.