"Each a beacon for players of their generation"
Frankfurt/Main - League Association president Dr. Reinhard Rauball has paid tribute to German football legends Ottmar Walter and Heinz Flohe, whose deaths were both announced over the weekend:
"In Ottmar Walter and Heinz Flohe, two great sportsmen have taken their leave of us, each of whom was able to crown his footballing career with a World Cup-winner's medal. Each remained faithful to a single club over decades, which is a rare occurrence in the contemporary game. Each was a beacon for the players of their respective generations and played a defining role in their own club's title-winning triumphs. Ottmar Walter made 321 appearances for 1. FC Kaiserslautern prior to the foundation of the national top flight, helping them become champions of Germany in 1951 and 1953. Heinz Flohe turned out 343 times for 1. FC Köln in the Bundesliga, winning the title twice and the DFB Cup once. After closing out his playing career at TSV 1860 Munich, he returned to 1. FC Köln to work as a youth team coach. German football will honour and pay due tribute to the memory of both players."
