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Rot-Weiss Essen provide the opposition on 3 March 1968. With a four-point lead and the certainty of being in good shape, the Werkself run onto the pitch full of concentration but in relaxed mood in front of 25,000 spectators at a packed Georg Melches Stadium. RWE are on top in the first and last minutes of this dramatic match. Essen take the lead on five minutes. However, led by the very impressive Klaus Görtz, Bayer 04 go on the attack. The midfielder directs his teammates brilliantly and, again and again, strides through the middle, often rounding three or four opponents before testing the Essen keeper Fred Bockholt with long-range efforts. Helmut Richert deservedly levels at 1-1 on 53 minutes when he converts a cross from the right by Helmut Brücken. The Werkself are on fire after that. Again and again, they threaten the Essen defence and make the most of their outstanding fitness. Bayer 04 produce a champion performance – but end up losing 2-1 due to a last-minute header.
A week later the Rot-Weiß team from Oberhausen visit the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. The team in second really turn the heat on the Werkself from the first minute. Bayer 04 look nervous in front of 10,000 spectators. Rot-Weiß Oberhausen deservedly take the lead on 43 minutes. The Werkself have more of the game in the second half and Bayer 04 fans celebrate the equaliser scored by Gunter Haarmann on 76 minutes. Time for a victory and the Oberhausen goal is besieged. Then comes a setback on 85 minutes: A counter-attack ends with the Rot-Weiß team again taking the lead. After that the Werkself only managed to hit the bar with a shot from Klaus Görtz. Within a week both top matches are lost 2-1 late on and Bayer 04 are now second to Rot-Weiß Oberhausen. A few days later in the rearranged match against Preußen Münster, on a Wednesday, Bayer 04 have the opportunity to regain top spot in the table with a victory. However, the Westphalian side take the lead in the first half. Fredi Hennecken levels just after the restart but there are no more goals. The usually so reliable striker Hennecken misses a penalty.
Four days later there is an away game at Hamborn 07. Bayer 04 are able to win this important match with great effort with the only goal of the game score by Fredi Hennecken and thereby prevent dropping out of the top group. After a somewhat fortunate goalless draw at Victoria Köln in front of over 10,000 spectators – with the Werkself arriving just a few minutes before the start of the game at the Cologne cycling track because the team bus had a breakdown on the way to the game so the players had to continue the journey using several taxis. The picture at the top of the table after a win for Rot-Weiss Essen in Lünen and a defeat for Oberhausen at Arminia Bielefeld is as follows:
On 31 March 1968, fourth placed Arminia Bielefeld visit Leverkusen. Arminia look for their last chance to take one of the coveted top two spots that qualify for the play-off games for promotion to the Bundesliga. In an evenly balanced game, the Werkself take an early lead in front of 13,000 spectators at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium with a goal from Helmut Richert. The ball is in the back of the Bielefeld net after just two minutes. And when Fredi Hennecken doubles their lead just after half-time, the relief in Leverkusen can be felt right up to the top floor at the Bayer tower block. After matchday 28, the battle between five teams as drops to fight out between three. As Bochum also lose against Schwarz-Weiß Essen. As a result of Rot-Weiss Essen dropping a point in Marl-Hüls, Rot-Weiß Oberhausen and Bayer 04 are again level on points at the top of the table in the Regional League West.
TV highlights of games in March 1968
Claus-Dieter, known as ‘Pele’, Wollitz was born in Brakel on 19 July 1965 in Brakel. He earned the nickname of the Brazilian global super star at the age of six because he was able to the juggle the ball for a long time as a child. What was originally meant as a stunt would follow him all his life. Every football fan associates the name Wollwitz with his nickname: Pele.
Show moreJosé Roberto da Silva Junior, Zé Roberto for short, was born in the Brazilian city of São Paulo on 6 July 1974. He started playing football at the Pequeninos de Joquey soccer school at the age of seven. Via the club Palestra Sao Bernardo, the left footer moved on to the professional club Portuguesa de Desportos where he made his debut in 1994.
Show more25 years ago, the Bayer 04 U19 team under their two coaches Thomas Hörster and Dirk Dreher were Regional League West champions and thereby participants in the finals of the German championship.
Show moreAfter promotion to Bundesliga 2, the football boss Hermann Bacall had his hands full putting together a powerful team. For the first training session at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium on 14 July 1975 there were nine new signings including five players who became regular starters in the team that won promotion to the Bundesliga in 1979.
Show moreAfter the success of the previous year, the gymnastics and sports club Leverkusen hold the ‘Wiesdorfer Sportwoche’ week of sports for a second time (the city of Leverkusen is only founded in 1930). The week of sport started on Sunday, 12 July 1925. In the years before World War I there were municipal gymnastics and games festivals. On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the club in 1924 the board and many helping hands started the week of sports. An internal municipal games festival developed into a national event which made a name for itself after a year particularly due to the relay element.
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