World and European champion Grabowski died

"That Jürgen Grabowski died, is all incomprehensible to us," said Eintracht-President Peter Fischer. Also Board spokesman Axel Hellmann was deeply affected: "In his active time Jürgen Grabowski maybe was the most perfect player who played for harmony. His aura looks to the present."

Born in Wiesbaden, Grabowski began in the district association Biebrich 02 with football matches. In the mid-1960s, the Frankfurter was attentive to the at that time 21-year-old right outside, which presented itself in the Hessen selection. "It was not much negotiated, even about money was barely talked. It was an honor that the Eintracht wanted you," Grabowski recalled many years later in the Peter Fischer interview.

Grabowski and the harmony - it fit right away. He played 441 games for the SGE, was rarely turned or replaced. In 1974 and 1975 he won with Frankfurt the DFB Cup, 1980 the UEFA Cup. The championship, his great dream, but remained denied him: "We often beat Bavaria, but to keep up for a season, we would have used more power carriers."

Grabowski celebrated greatest successes in the DFB jersey, which he wore 44 times. Only a year after his debut at the Eintracht Helmut Schön in his World Cup squad for the tournament in 1966 in England. Although he did not take advantage there, nevertheless benefited from the valuable experience.

To become a world champion meant for me: More luck is not working.

Jürgen Grabowski

First, however, followed a longer DFB pause, also because Grabowski had confessed a heart muscle inflammation as a result of an angina. Only to the 1970 World Cup he was fit again and came to Mexico up to the semifinals in all games as a Joker until he finally stood on the place in the legendary century match against Italy (3: 4 N.V.) from the beginning. That the game was even in the extension, it was also deserved, he prepared the 1: 1 shortly before the end by Karl-Heinz Fösinger via flank.

This was followed by the most successful years in the DFB Dress. 1972, at the first German victory (3: 1) in the Wembley Stadium, he was there. And when the DFB selection was only a few weeks later with magical soccer champion, Grabowski was an important part of the team, albeit without use in the final against the USSR. He should finally take the role of the EdelServist for two more years later at the Home World Cup. Although he flew after the 0: 1 in the brother duel with the GDR short-catcher from the starting element, but already at the 4: 2 victory against Sweden, he stood again on the field and scored the interim 3: 2. "The most important goal in my career," he said later. "This hit has brought me everything. To become world champion for me: More luck is not working."

Relationship heavily burdened: Matthew finished Grabowski's career

Jürgen Grabowski with the World Cup Cup 1974. Imago Images / Horstmüller

Shortly after the Triumph in Munich, on his 30th birthday, Grabowski came back from the national team, revised this decision not four years later, when he wanted to take him back to the 1978 World Cup. Instead, he focused on the Eintracht, in which he had only two more years as a player at this time. In March 1980 he was fouled by the then 18-year-old Lothar Matthew and pulled himself such a serious foot injury that he had to end his career after the season. His relationship to the later DFB captain should be heavily burdens: "If one as a young player with 18 years a senior player travels to the parade that he is injured and the career has to end, you can apologize for it. Or at least say: I'm sorry."

Although he was with the SGE by the Eintracht the Final Games in the UEFA Cup shortly thereafter to endure for Grabowski, however, hard to endure: "It was a beautiful gesture from my players to me after the triumph about Gladbach Hoben on his shoulders and reached my cup. But it was only a weak consolation. An end game in the European Cup - and I do not get there! "

His aura looks to the present.

Axel Hellmann

Even after his career end, the passionate golfers remained very close to the Eintracht and also on the coach bank. Already at active time, after the separation of coach Gyula Lorant, he jumped shortly as a player coach. In 1983, another intermezzo followed the side of the former A-Junior Coach Klaus Mank - but with manageable success. A 1: 1 against Gladbach followed a 0: 7 clap in Cologne.

Of course, his status as a club icon did not abort. To date, honorary player Grabowski is estimated and celebrated. "His aura looks to the present," says Hellmann on Friday. "Grabi, who was so happy with the games of our Eintracht, was cross-generational identity foundatory for the club."