Hans Tilkowski, the Germany goalkeeper in the 1966 World Cup final against England has died. He was 84. German football giants Borussia Dortmund said Monday that Tilkowski died Sunday following “a long, severe illness,” and that he had been with his family.
Tilkowski was best known outside Germany for conceding England’s third goal in extra time in the 1966 final, when Geoff Hurst’s shot hit the bar and bounced downward. Tilkowski always said he was sure the ball did not cross the line.
England won the game 4-2.
Hurst described Tilkowski on Twitter on Monday as a “terrific player for his club, Borussia Dortmund, and country and a very fine man.”
Born in Dortmund, his career started with VfL Husen 19 and SuS Kaiserau, then joined Westfalia Herne. While there, he played 18 times for the West Germany National Football team. He then move to Borussia Dortmund. From 1963 to 1967 he played 81 times in the West German Bundesliga for Dortmund. Tilkowski won the DFB-Pokal with Dortmund in 1965 and the European Cup of National Cup Winners in 1966. He was chosen German player of the year in 1965.
