Impact On German History
The unexpected win evoked a wave of euphoria throughout Germany, which was still suffering in the aftermath of World War II. This was also the first time since the Second World War that the German national anthem was played in public. The 1954 victory is regarded as a turning point in post-war German history by German historians Arthur Heinrich and Joachim Fest.
As television was only available to few homes or public places in Germany, a German radio commentator Herbert Zimmermann became a popular German personality due to his reports. His emotional reporting style ("Halten Sie mich für verrückt, halten Sie mich für übergeschnappt" - "call me crazy, call me nuts") and especially his comments when Germany scored the winning goal ("Aus dem Hintergrund müsste Rahn schießen, Rahn schießt - TOR, TOR, TOR!" - "Rahn has to shoot from the background, Rahn shoots - goal, goal, goal!"), and after the final whistle ("AUS! AUS! AUS! Das Spiel ist aus. Deutschland ist Weltmeister, schlägt Ungarn 3 zu 2!" - "Over! Over! Over! The game is over! Germany are World Champions, beat Hungary 3–2!") are well known in Germany.
Read more about this topic: 1954 FIFA World Cup Final
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