Horst Bertram
Borussia Mönchengladbach's 12–0 victory over Borussia Dortmund remains the biggest win in Bundesliga history, but it was not enough to win the title.
On 29 April 1978, Borussia Mönchengladbach played Borussia Dortmund in the 1977–78 Fußball-Bundesliga season. The match finished 12–0, which remains the largest margin of victory and tied with four other matches for the biggest win in Bundesliga history. However, 1. FC Köln beat FC St. Pauli 5–0 to become champions.
Quick Facts
- Role
- Goalkeeper
- Affiliation
- Borussia Dortmund
Lore & Background
Borussia Mönchengladbach went into the match as reigning Bundesliga champions. Having only won two of their first seven league games in the autumn of 1977, they had managed to reach second place after 22 games. With the final round of games, the league championship went down to the wire with both Mönchengladbach and 1. FC Köln equal on points, but Köln having a far superior goal difference of +10. Borussia Dortmund, on the other hand, were struggling in their second consecutive season after promotion in 1976. Three games previously, they had secured their Bundesliga status with a 2–0 away win over FC Schalke 04. Horst Bertram, Dortmund's number one goalkeeper, had just recovered from injury, but Dortmund's coach Otto Rehhagel decided to start with second-choice goalie Peter Endrulat. Endrulat was told the morning before the game that his contract would not be extended close-season. The two teams had drawn 3–3 at Dortmund's Westfalenstadion in December 1977.
Reader's Guide
The match was played at the Rheinstadion in Düsseldorf since Mönchengladbach's usual home ground, the Bökelbergstadion, was being renovated. 38,000 fans attended. The referee was Ferdinand Biwersi. Jupp Heynckes gave the home side the lead after one minute and completed a hat-trick by the 32nd minute, making it 5–0. At half-time the score was 6–0. Otto Rehhagel gave a brief talk, calling upon his players to play for their honour. No substitutes were made; Rehhagel asked Endrulat if he would like to be substituted, but the goalkeeper said he had no problem playing on. In the second half, Heynckes and Carsten Nielsen made it 8–0 by the hour mark. Rehhagel asked Sigfried Held to warm up, but Held declined. Karl Del'Haye made it 9–0. Further goals from Heynckes, substitute Ewald Lienen and Christian Kulik made the final score 12–0. Since there were no ball boys, the referee had to fetch balls shot past Dortmund's goal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Horst Bertram during the late 1970s?
He served as Borussia Dortmund's primary goalkeeper throughout the 1977–78 campaign before an injury sidelined him temporarily.
What was the outcome of that specific game on April 29, 1978?
The match ended disastrously for Dortmund, who conceded twelve goals while Bertram watched from the bench.
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