Coach: Helmut Schon Achievements: World Cup winners 1974, Finalists 1966. European Champions 1972 Key Players: Beckenbauer, Muller, Hoeness, Overath, Bonhof, Seeler, Schnellinger, Schulz, Meier, Breitner, Vogts Star Player: Beckenbauer Formation: 4-2-4
The team that England beat in the 1966 was also a fine side, beginning its own period of greatness. This would ultimately lead to them becoming European and then World Champions. A strong team playing a pragmatic style, not dissimilar to England but with somewhat more technique and determination. They had a balance of great players throughout, in a team in a team built around the legend Franz Beckenbauer and his Bayern Munich team-mates that had won the European Cup three times in succession. It also included the goal machine that was Gerd Muller. The team was also influenced by the Total Football style of the Dutch team they beat in the 1974 World Cup final, blending this with steely German pragmatism to great effect.