Jena. When speaking about the golden era of football in Jena, one name is almost always mentioned in the same breath as the legendary Ducke brothers: Harald Irmscher. The man, who was reverently called “Sir” due to his elegant style of play and his fair attitude on the pitch, celebrates his 80th birthday today, Thursday. Irmscher is not only a piece of Jena sports history, but a contemporary witness to world political and sporting historical events that went far beyond the Paradies.
Quick & Concise: Harald Irmscher
- Birthday: 12 February 1946 (80 years old today)
- Residence: Jena
- Clubs: BSG Motor Zwickau (until 1968), FC Carl Zeiss Jena
- Greatest Successes: Olympic Bronze 1972, World Cup participation 1974 (victory against West Germany)
- Special Feature: Still plays in the FCC traditional team today
From the “Valley of the Ignorant” to the World Stage
Harald Irmscher’s path to becoming a legend actually began in Zwickau, but in 1968 the midfield strategist was drawn to the Saale. His goal was clearly defined: he wanted to play internationally. FC Carl Zeiss Jena was one of the best addresses in European football at the time. Irmscher became part of a team that still holds a place of honor in the club’s history books.
Unforgotten remains the duel against Ajax Amsterdam in March 1970. The Dutch arrived with half of their national team and the world star Johan Cruyff. On the snow-covered ground in the Ernst-Abbe-Sportfeld, the Jena team achieved a sensational 3:1 victory. “Nowadays such games are cancelled,” Irmscher recalls of the adverse conditions that even a technician like Cruyff had to cope with. Although Jena was eliminated in the return leg, the victory against the European top team of the time is still considered one of the highlights of Thuringian football.
Shadows over Munich and Triumph in Hamburg
Irmscher’s career was not only characterized by cheers. As a national player for the GDR, he took part in the 1972 Olympic Games in München and won the bronze medal. However, the sporting successes were overshadowed by the terrible terrorist attack on the Israeli team. Irmscher experienced the events first-hand. He watched the negotiations from the balcony and even saw one of the attackers, who threatened him with a weapon and signaled him to stay in the room. The jubilarian still believes that the decision to continue the games was the right one, so as not to give in to terror.
Two years later, at the 1974 World Cup, Irmscher was on the pitch for what was probably the most explosive German-German duel in history: GDR against West Germany in Hamburg. The GDR won sensationally 1:0. Irmscher likes to remember the fairness among the players – there was no trace of arrogance from the West Germans. Particularly curious was the speech by coach Georg Buschner before the game. Since the team had already qualified, it was shorter than ever: “Boys, go one better, show them that we can play football too.”
A Jersey as a Treasure
From this game, Irmscher possesses a souvenir that every football museum would probably envy: the jersey of Franz Beckenbauer. After the final whistle, the Jena player asked the “Kaiser” for a trade. Since Beckenbauer had to go to the doping control, it took a while. But the West German captain kept his word, later came specifically to the GDR team’s dressing room, and handed the jersey to Irmscher personally. It is still guarded like a treasure today.
Jena in his Heart
Even at 80, Harald Irmscher has remained loyal to football and his chosen home of Jena. The nickname “Sir,” which his teammate Roland Ducke once gave him, was never worn with vanity, but as recognition of his fair nature. He lives in Jena and even occasionally laces up his boots for the traditional team of FC Carl Zeiss – proof that true passion knows no age. The city of Jena and the club congratulate a living legend.