Back
1.11.2024Bayer 04

Match of the month: 40 years ago – The shortest team meeting of my career

In the 1984/85 season there is a clash between Bayer 04, lying tenth in the table, and the leaders Bayern Munich. After five games without a win, Bayer 04 coach Dettmar Cramer is under fire and already sacked according to the media. After a communal walk on 17 November 1984, without the coach, the squad go to the meeting room for a pre-match team meeting and we players sit down but the coach is still not there. But on the flip chart there is the line-up and the words: "SWALLOW IT!"

Display videos

Yes, I'd like to see videos dispalyed.

We look at each other slightly disconcerted, wait ten minutes, and go to our rooms with this ‘preparation’. It is the only meeting in my career that took place without the coach and spoken words.

When we go onto the pitch at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium in the afternoon with a below capacity 14,000 crowd, the team knows exactly that it's not just about the job of our coach but also our own crisis. The press were very tough with us in the previous week and the pressure is really evident. Eight minutes into the game, our left back Anders Giske opens the scoring. We are able to hold on to that surprise lead to the break. When a low cross from Helmut Winklhofer is headed home by midfielder Jürgen Röber to make it 2-0 then our players up front begin to play decent football and to believe in themselves. Herbert Waas seals it on 76 minutes at 3-0. Not only is Dettmar Cramer relieved but also the whole stadium. And stadium announcer Günter Maczkowiak plays the song 'Hurra, wir leben noch' (Hooray, we are still alive).

At the end of the season we are only thirteenth in the table and the contract with Dettmar Cramer is not extended after a disappointing season for everybody involved. But that match against FC Bayern was the highlight of the 1984/85 campaign.

Related News

Franco Foda wird 60 | Geburtstagskind des Monats April
Bayer 04 - 01.04.2026

Birthday boy of the month 1: Franco Foda turns 60

Franco Foda was born on 23 April 1966 in Mainz to an Italian father and a German mother. He started playing football at the age of seven at the Weisenau Sports Club. After six years, he transferred to the then third-tier FSV Mainz 05 before joining the youth section at FC Kaiserslautern two years later. Franco made his debut in the Bundesliga in October 1983.

Show more
Emerson wird 50 | Geburtstagskind des Monats April
Bayer 04 - 01.04.2026

Birthday boy of the month 2: Emerson turns 50

Emerson Ferreira da Rosa, known as Emerson or just Emma, was born on 4 April 1976 in the Brazilian city of Pelotas in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. His footballing talent became apparent at an early age, laying the foundations for an extraordinary career. Emerson began his professional career at Grêmio Porto Alegre. He enjoyed great success at a young age, winning the Copa do Brasil in 1994, the Brazilian league title in 1996 and the prestigious Copa Libertadores in 1995, trophies that attracted the attention of European clubs.

Show more
Simon Rolfes – Der Stratege auf dem Feld und im Büro | Legende des Monats April
Bayer 04 - 01.04.2026

Legend: Simon Rolfes - The strategist on the field and in the office

Simon Rolfes was born on 21 January 1982 in Ibbenbüren in North Rhine-Westphalia. He started playing football at the age of four. He joined TuS Recke. He remained loyal to his club up to the senior team, but Simon was ambitious. The left-footer tried his luck at Werder Bremen and made it into the Hanseatic club's U19 squad. On 2 July 2000, Simon played at the BayArena for the first time and scored, but only in a 4-2 defeat - the Green and Whites lost the final against the Werkself youngsters.

Show more
Vor 25 Jahren – Sieg in Unterzahl | Spiel des Monats April
Bayer 04 - 01.04.2026

Match of the month: 25 years ago - Victory with a man down

In April 2001, a thrilling six-way battle for the German championship unfolds. There are just three points between league leaders Bayern Munich and sixth-placed FC Kaiserslautern. Bayer 04 are level on points with Lauterer, Hertha Berlin and Schalke 04 in fourth place. A week earlier, on 31 March 2001, the Werkself lost their home game against the Royal Blues from Gelsenkirchen 3-0 and now have an away game against relegation-threatened Eintracht Frankfurt to look forward to.

Show more
Von Gelsdorf bis Alario | Tore des Monats April
Bayer 04 - 01.04.2026

Goals of the month: From Gelsdorf to Alario

In this video you can see impressive and important goals in Bayer 04 history from the month of April . It's not always about the beauty of the goals, but also a reminder of special games and players.

Show more