Bernd Holzenbein dead at 78: Germany World Cup winner and Eintracht Frankfurt legend passes away

GERMANY World Cup winner Bernd Holzenbein has died at the age of 78.

Born in March 1946, the attacker passed away on Monday evening after a long, serious illness.

Holzenbein had recently suffered from severe dementia.

During his playing days he played as a striker or winger.

He starred for the West Germany team before it unified with East Germany and played a major role in winning the World Cup in 1974 by getting the equalising penalty against the Netherlands in the final.

Holzenbein made a habit of making an impact in big games, scoring an equaliser in the 1976 European Championship final against Czechoslovakia, though his nation would go on to lose on penalties.

His goal in the game made him the oldest goalscorer in a Euro final aged 30 years and 103 days - a record held until 34-year-old Leonardo Bonucci scored against England in the Euro 2020 final.

In total, Holzenbein played 40 times for his nation, scoring five goals.

Holzenbein was a qualified merchant away from the pitch, but was best known for his work on it with Eintracht Frankfurt.

He scored a staggering 160 goals in the Bundesliga for them, making 420 appearances across a stay stretching from 1967 to 1981.

His exploits made him the club's record goalscorer and also saw him lift the Uefa Cup in 1980, as well as three German Cups in 1974, 1975 and 1981.

Holzenbein headed to the USA when his time playing at Frankfurt was over, starring for Fort Lauderdale Strikers and later for Memphis Americans and Baltimore Blast in the Major Indoor Soccer League.

He then returned to Germany to play for FSV Salmrohr, where he stayed for six months to earn promotion to the second division.

After hanging up his playing boots he returned to Frankfurt in 1988, where he became a vice-president and later a manager between 1994 and 1996.

In 2004 Holzenbein returned to the club and became their chief scout until 2014.

A statement from Frankfurt on his passing said: "An Eintracht fan through and through.

"A legend, as it is written in the books. One of the greatest we have ever had.

"Bernd Hölzenbein, honorary captain of Eintracht, died on Monday at the age of 78 surrounded by his family 🖤"

Bundesliga rivals also paid their respects to a legend of the game, with Hertha Berlin saying: "Rest in peace, Bernd Hölzenbein. 🕊️ Our thoughts are with his family and the entire Eintracht family."

Hamburger SV said: "Rest in peace, Bernd Hölzenbein! 🕊️."

Borussia Monchengladbach said: "Rest in peace, Bernd Hölzenbein. 🕯️

"Borussia mourns the loss of the great Frankfurt goalscorer and 1974 football world champion. Our condolences go out to his family and friends."

Holzenbein's tragic passing comes after the death of 1974 West German captain Franz Beckenbauer in January.