Three EURO triumphs, three generations. Ahead of EURO 2016, DFB.de is catching up with some of the key figures from Germany’s title wins in 1971, 1980 and 1996. Jupp Heynckes, Horst Hrubesch and Andreas Köpke have all shared their memories in recent weeks, but today we catch up with Dieter Eilts who looks back on the 1996 tournament in England.
He was one of the oldest breakthrough stars that the German national team has ever had. Dieter Eilts was already 31 by the time he featured in his first major tournament and was one oft he stars at for Germany at the 1996 tournament. The Bremen man made hell for his opponents with his aggressive tackling and became the true definition of a midfield sweeper, clearing up everything in front of him. Along with Andreas Köpke and Matthias Sammer, he was selected in the Team of the Tournament.
DFB.de:
Mr Eilts, how did you feel going into the tournament in England in 1996?
Dieter Eilts:
There was obviously a lot of excitement. Although I was one of the older players, it was my first major tournament. We all travelled to England feeling good and wanted to be as successful as possible. The minimum aim was to get out of the group
DFB.de:
Who were the pillars in that team?
Eilts:
Of course Jürgen Klinsmann and Jürgen Kohler – even though Kohler got a bad injury in the first game. Stefan Kuntz also played an important role. There were plenty of leaders in that team.
DFB.de:
The group phase couldn’t have started any better: 2-0 against Czech Republic and 3-0 against Russia. How important is it to start well in a tournament?
Eilts:
Very important. You get a level of security and don’t cramp up when things get tight later on in the group. It also gives you a chance to concentrate on your own strengths.
DFB.de:
What memories do you have of the 2-0 win against Croatia in the quarterfinal?
Eilts:
That was a really tough match, a really tight encounter. We took the lead thanks to Jürgen Klinsmann’s penalty, but conceded in the second half. Matthias Sammer went on to score the winner. We had a little bit of luck on our side. You need that to win a title – you need them to make mistakes with their passing and for yours to reach your strikers perfectly.
DFB.de:
Next up was the semi-final against hosts England. The English press created a real atmosphere before the match. Paul Gascoigne was splashed over the front pages wearing a steel helmet, as if going to war. How much of that were you aware of?
Eilts:
I didn’t pay so much attention to it all. You cannot influence what the media write. Therefore footballers shouldn’t bother with it, even if it’s hard to avoid.
DFB.de:
Is it a blessing or a curse to face the hosts in the semi-final?
Eilts:
We were pleased about it. There was a really special atmosphere in the stadium, it was gigantic. For me it felt like the biggest game of my career. Despite the heated nature of the affair, the atmosphere was positive and peaceful. Playing at Wembley isn’t just special because of tradition.
DFB.de:
Germany trailed after just three minutes when Alan Shearer took the lead…
Eilts:
Despite that we were convinced that we would turn it into success. Even though England had other chances – Gascoigne hit the woodwork twice. Like I said, you need a pinch of luck...
DFB.de:
The final pitted Germany against Czech Republic, who you had already beaten in the groups. Was that a psychological advantage for you?
Eilts:
Not really. They had already proven themselves and played a fantastic tournament. Ultimately we needed a golden goal to win the final (Oliver Bierhoff made it 2-1 in the 95th min).
DFB.de:
How did the team celebrate the triumph?
Eilts:
Relatively quietly. In the evening we all ate together and the next day we were welcomed at Frankfurt. Then I flew back to Bremen and went straight into rehab. I had to get fit for the next Bundesliga season.
DFB.de:
It was the last time Germany triumphed at the EUROs. How highly do you rate our chances at EURO 2016 in France?
Eilts:
The team obviously have a good chance as the world champions. But there are no clear favourites. Belgium could do well and France are certainly among the favourites. The Spanish are also very strong and shouldn’t be underestimated.
Three EURO triumphs, three generations. Ahead of EURO 2016, DFB.de is catching up with some of the key figures from Germany’s title wins in 1971, 1980 and 1996. Jupp Heynckes, Horst Hrubesch and Andreas Köpke have all shared their memories in recent weeks, but today we catch up with Dieter Eilts who looks back on the 1996 tournament in England.
He was one of the oldest breakthrough stars that the German national team has ever had. Dieter Eilts was already 31 by the time he featured in his first major tournament and was one oft he stars at for Germany at the 1996 tournament. The Bremen man made hell for his opponents with his aggressive tackling and became the true definition of a midfield sweeper, clearing up everything in front of him. Along with Andreas Köpke and Matthias Sammer, he was selected in the Team of the Tournament.
DFB.de:
Mr Eilts, how did you feel going into the tournament in England in 1996?
Dieter Eilts:
There was obviously a lot of excitement. Although I was one of the older players, it was my first major tournament. We all travelled to England feeling good and wanted to be as successful as possible. The minimum aim was to get out of the group
DFB.de:
Who were the pillars in that team?
Eilts:
Of course Jürgen Klinsmann and Jürgen Kohler – even though Kohler got a bad injury in the first game. Stefan Kuntz also played an important role. There were plenty of leaders in that team.
DFB.de:
The group phase couldn’t have started any better: 2-0 against Czech Republic and 3-0 against Russia. How important is it to start well in a tournament?
Eilts:
Very important. You get a level of security and don’t cramp up when things get tight later on in the group. It also gives you a chance to concentrate on your own strengths.
DFB.de:
What memories do you have of the 2-0 win against Croatia in the quarterfinal?
Eilts:
That was a really tough match, a really tight encounter. We took the lead thanks to Jürgen Klinsmann’s penalty, but conceded in the second half. Matthias Sammer went on to score the winner. We had a little bit of luck on our side. You need that to win a title – you need them to make mistakes with their passing and for yours to reach your strikers perfectly.
DFB.de:
Next up was the semi-final against hosts England. The English press created a real atmosphere before the match. Paul Gascoigne was splashed over the front pages wearing a steel helmet, as if going to war. How much of that were you aware of?
Eilts:
I didn’t pay so much attention to it all. You cannot influence what the media write. Therefore footballers shouldn’t bother with it, even if it’s hard to avoid.
DFB.de:
Is it a blessing or a curse to face the hosts in the semi-final?
Eilts:
We were pleased about it. There was a really special atmosphere in the stadium, it was gigantic. For me it felt like the biggest game of my career. Despite the heated nature of the affair, the atmosphere was positive and peaceful. Playing at Wembley isn’t just special because of tradition.
DFB.de:
Germany trailed after just three minutes when Alan Shearer took the lead…
Eilts:
Despite that we were convinced that we would turn it into success. Even though England had other chances – Gascoigne hit the woodwork twice. Like I said, you need a pinch of luck...
DFB.de:
The final pitted Germany against Czech Republic, who you had already beaten in the groups. Was that a psychological advantage for you?
Eilts:
Not really. They had already proven themselves and played a fantastic tournament. Ultimately we needed a golden goal to win the final (Oliver Bierhoff made it 2-1 in the 95th min).
DFB.de:
How did the team celebrate the triumph?
Eilts:
Relatively quietly. In the evening we all ate together and the next day we were welcomed at Frankfurt. Then I flew back to Bremen and went straight into rehab. I had to get fit for the next Bundesliga season.
DFB.de:
It was the last time Germany triumphed at the EUROs. How highly do you rate our chances at EURO 2016 in France?
Eilts:
The team obviously have a good chance as the world champions. But there are no clear favourites. Belgium could do well and France are certainly among the favourites. The Spanish are also very strong and shouldn’t be underestimated.
