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

Peter Zanter wird 60 | Geburtstagskind des Monats November I
Bayer 04 - 01.11.2025

Birthday boy of the month 1: Peter Zanter turns 60

Peter Zanter was born on 11 November 1965 in Wermelskirchen in the Rhineland. His passion for football was evident from an early age: As a child, he played enthusiastically for the youth teams at SV Dabringhausen and SV Wermelskirchen. His ability and discipline did not go undetected for long - and he joined the youth section at Bayer 04 at a young age.

Show more
Boris Zivkovic wird 50 | Geburtstagskind des Monats November II
Bayer 04 - 01.11.2025

Birthday boy of the month 2: Boris Zivkovic turns 50

Boris Zivkovic was born on 15 November 1975 in the Bosnian town of Zivinice, which is now part of Bosnia and Herzegovina. He played for FK Sarajevo at a young age. However, his youth was characterised by the turmoil of the wars in the former Yugoslavia. At the age of just 17, he was also called up and took part in the fighting - a fate shared by many young men of his generation.

Show more
Rüdiger Vollborn mit Dr. Jürgen Schwericke
Bayer 04 - 01.11.2025

Legends: Under the Cross for 44 years

For once, this is going to be about me. About my path into football, my years as a goalkeeper at Bayer 04 and my ‘career after my career’ at this great club. So, come with me on a little journey through time...

Show more
crop_19851101_Hoerster_Zechel_Waas_Glass_Schreier.jpg
Bayer 04 - 01.11.2025

Match of the month: 40 years ago - Bayer 04 hit the jackpot

It is 1 November 1985, a Friday evening, floodlights on. The leaders Werder Bremen with their coach Otto Rehhagel come to the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. 15,000 spectators want to watch this top match, as the Werkself, with their new coach Erich Ribbeck, are in fourth place in the table, just five points behind the leaders.

Show more
Hakan Calhanoglu
Bayer 04 - 01.11.2025

Goals of the month: From Demuth to Calhanoglu

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

Show more