After losing a match against Hungary in the preliminary round, the West German national football team faced the same strong opponent again in the final of the 1954 World Cup – and won. The World Cup victory was celebrated as the “Miracle of Bern”. But what social significance did the surprising title win have in the young Federal Republic? Sports historian Ansgar Molzberger explains how the triumph awakened new self-confidence – and stoked old fears
GEOEPOCH: Dr. Molzberger, the World Cup victory of the German national football team, the “Miracle of Bern” on July 4, 1954, is often referred to as the “actual founding date” of the Federal Republic. Why?