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Former footballer Helmut Haller passes away

Former footballer Helmut Haller passes away

FORMER footballer Helmut Haller, who scored for Germany against England in the 1966 World Cup final, has passed away. He was 73.

Mr. Haller had put his team ahead in the 13th. minute of the final at Wembley (see below), but England eventually won the game 4-2, with Geoff Hurst scoring a hattrick.

After the match Mr. Haller had claimed the ball as a memento of the final and was photographed with it hit tucked under his arm while being presented to the Queen. Thirty years later he was persuaded to give the ball to Geoff Hurst.

Mr. Haller spent most of his playing career in Italy. He had been brought there in the early 1960s by Bologna and in 1964 helped the side clinch their only post-war league title. He was also named Footballer of the Year.

During his time with Bologna he played more than 175 matches and scored 48 goals. After moving to Juventus in 1968 he helped the side win Serie A Championships in 1972 and 1973 as well as reaching the European Cup Final in the same year. However, they lost to Ajax 1-0.

Mr. Haller won 33 caps for West Germany and scored 13 goals. His final game was in the side’s opening match of the World Cup in Mexico in 1970.

He finished his club career with Augsburg, the Bavarian side with which he had first played as an 18-year-old.

Mr. Haller had been suffering from dementia and Parkinson’s Disease in recent years.

To see Helmut Haller’s opening goal in the 1966 World Cup Final against England, click here.

 

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