Oliver Kahn
The only goalkeeper in World Cup history to win the Golden Ball.
via Wikipedia: Oliver Kahn · see source
Oliver Kahn is a German former professional player who played as a goalkeeper for the Germany national team from 1994 to 2006. He became the starting goalkeeper after the retirement of Andreas Köpke and served as captain after UEFA Euro 2000, succeeding Oliver Bierhoff. Kahn is regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time, known for his commanding presence and aggressive style, which earned him nicknames such as Der Titan and Vul-kahn. At the 2002 FIFA World Cup, he became the only goalkeeper in the tournament's history to win the Golden Ball, despite Germany losing 0–2 to Brazil in the final. Kahn made his first international appearance on 23 June 1995 in a 2–1 victory against Switzerland.
Quick Facts
- Full name
- Oliver Rolf Kahn
- Born
- 15 June 1969
- Birthplace
- Karlsruhe, West Germany
- Height
- 1.88 m / 6 ft 2 in
- Position
- Goalkeeper
- Total caps
- 630
Lore & Background
Kahn was initially called up as a late back-up for the 1994 FIFA World Cup, as third keeper behind Bodo Illgner and Andreas Köpke. He was an unused member of the squad that won the 1996 UEFA European Championship in England, serving as reserve keeper behind starter Köpke. Kahn spent the 1998 FIFA World Cup on the bench, and it was not until Köpke retired after that tournament that Kahn became the starting goalkeeper. Two years after UEFA Euro 2000, in which defending champions Germany made an embarrassing group-stage exit, Kahn received the squad's captaincy. He experienced one of his worst performances against England in Munich in 2001, a 5–1 rout that included a hat-trick by Michael Owen, but Germany still qualified for the World Cup after winning a playoff against Ukraine. Kahn maintained his number one spot for UEFA Euro 2004, but Germany were again eliminated in the group stage. He gave up his captaincy to Michael Ballack after that tournament. Under new manager Jürgen Klinsmann, the number one spot was rotated between Kahn and Jens Lehmann; on 7 April 2006, Klinsmann announced Lehmann as first-choice for the 2006 World Cup, and Kahn decided to stay on as a backup.
Reader's Guide
Oliver Kahn's most significant individual honor came at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, where he won the Golden Ball as player of the tournament, the only goalkeeper in World Cup history to do so. He also received the Lev Yashin Award as best goalkeeper of the tournament. Kahn was part of the Germany squad that won the 1996 UEFA European Championship, though he was an unused member. He earned his first international cap on 23 June 1995 in a 2–1 victory against Switzerland. From 1994 to 2006, Kahn was in the Germany national team, serving as starter after Andreas Köpke's retirement and as captain after UEFA Euro 2000. He gave up the captaincy to Michael Ballack after UEFA Euro 2004. Under Jürgen Klinsmann, Kahn competed with Jens Lehmann for the number one spot; Lehmann was named first-choice for the 2006 World Cup, with Kahn staying on as backup.
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