# Jürgen Sparwasser

> East German footballer and manager

**Wikidata**: [Q58764](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q58764)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jürgen_Sparwasser)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/jurgen-sparwasser

## Summary
Jürgen Sparwasser is an East German former professional footballer and football manager. He is best known for scoring the winning goal for East Germany against West Germany in the 1974 FIFA World Cup, a moment of significant political and sporting symbolism. His entire playing career was spent with 1. FC Magdeburg in the East German league system.

## Biography
- **Nationality:** German Democratic Republic (East Germany)
- **Known for:** Scoring the winning goal for East Germany against West Germany in the 1974 FIFA World Cup
- **Field(s):** Association football (as a player and a coach)

## Contributions
Jürgen Sparwasser's primary contribution was his performance as a footballer for 1. FC Magdeburg and the East Germany national team. His most famous contribution was scoring the only goal in the 1-0 victory over West Germany during the 1974 FIFA World Cup group stage, a result that held major symbolic weight during the Cold War era. Following his playing career, which ended in 1979, he contributed to football as a coach, training other association footballers.

## FAQs
**What is Jürgen Sparwasser famous for?**
Jürgen Sparwasser is most famous for scoring the only goal in the historic 1-0 victory of East Germany over West Germany during the 1974 FIFA World Cup. This match was highly charged due to the political division between the two German states at the time.

**What was Jürgen Sparwasser's profession?**
His primary profession was as an association football player. After retiring from playing in 1979, he transitioned into a second career as an association football coach, focusing on training players.

**Which country did Jürgen Sparwasser represent?**
Jürgen Sparwasser represented the German Democratic Republic (GDR), commonly known as East Germany. This was a sovereign state that existed from 1949 until German reunification in 1990.

## Why They Matter
Jürgen Sparwasser matters primarily for his role in one of the most politically significant matches in football history. His goal against West Germany in 1974 provided a massive symbolic victory for the East German state on the world's biggest sporting stage. This single act cemented his place as a legendary figure in the sporting history of the former GDR and serves as a enduring moment of Cold War rivalry. His subsequent career as a coach extended his influence within the sport beyond his iconic playing moment.

## Notable For
*   Scoring the winning goal for East Germany against West Germany in the 1974 FIFA World Cup.
*   Having a career as both a professional association football player and an association football coach.
*   Being a prominent sports figure from the former German Democratic Republic.

## Body
### Football Career
Jürgen Sparwasser was an association football player. His entire documented playing career was spent within the football system of the German Democratic Republic (East Germany). His professional playing career concluded in the year 1979.

### The 1974 FIFA World Cup
Sparwasser's most defining moment occurred during the 1974 FIFA World Cup. In a group stage match, he scored the only goal in a 1-0 victory for East Germany over their rivals from West Germany. This match was far more than a sporting contest; it was a direct confrontation between two ideologically opposed German states during the height of the Cold War. The result and Sparwasser's goal became a massive source of pride for the GDR and remains one of the most iconic moments in World Cup history.

### Post-Playing Career
Following his retirement from playing football in 1979, Jürgen Sparwasser transitioned into a new role within the sport. He became an association football coach, a profession dedicated to the training and development of association football players.

### National and Historical Context
Jürgen Sparwasser's identity and career are intrinsically linked to the German Democratic Republic, a country that existed in Central Europe from 1949 until 1990. His sporting achievements are a notable part of the historical and cultural legacy of that former state.

## References

1. kicker.de
2. Transfermarkt
3. [worldfootball.net](https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/juergen-sparwasser/gdr-oberliga/2/)
4. [Source](http://viaf.org/viaf/data/viaf-20170101-links.txt.gz)
5. FBref
6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
7. [Source](https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/clubs/players/9670/)