FC Bayern have won the Club World Cup (formerly Intercontinental Cup) three times: in 1976, 2001 and 2013. Now, head coach Hansi Flick's team has the next opportunity to be crowned the best club team in the world at the FIFA Club World Cup. Ahead of this Thursday's final against Mexican outfit Tigres UANL Jupp Kapellmann, Sammy Kuffour and Dante reminisce and recount how they made history in their previous triumphs. Illustration: Eric Chow
Part I: Jupp Kapellmann, 1976
"I'll never forget the 1976 Intercontinental Cup final against Cruzeiro Esporte Clube - how could I? At that time, the final was played over two legs, and the circumstances on both days could hardly have been more bizarre, as the conditions were completely different. The first clash at the end of November in Munich took place in chaotic wintry conditions, the second a few days before Christmas in Brazil was played in an extreme tropical climate. We won the trophy after a 2-0 first leg win was followed by 0-0 draw in the second leg. Gerd Müller and I scored the goals, and I think that was my most important goal for Bayern. The two years prior to that we hadn't competed in the Intercontinental Cup, even though we would have been eligible as European Cup winners; both times it fell through because of scheduling problems. So it was FC Bayern's first Intercontinental Cup. We made history.
First leg in ice and snow
You had to feel sorry for the Brazilians in Munich: They were shivering and shaking on the pitch, they couldn't believe what was happening to them. They could see their breath coming out in white puffs - most certainly for the first time in their lives. Their star Jairzinho is said to have asked at the time if the end of the world was nigh, and it was indeed a winter's day the likes of which we don't see very often. We were already imagining during the drive how the Brazilians would find this climate - and then our own bus got stuck in the snow on the way. We had to get out and push to make it in time for the game. At the Olympic Stadium, the pitch heating couldn't cope, so the snow was sprayed away with water - with the result that the playing surface was covered with ice floes. The Brazilians were standing frozen stiff on the pitch - of course they didn't have any long trousers with them. It was madness.
Kapellmann particularly motivated
I was particularly motivated that day; it's not every day that you play for the biggest trophy in club football. When we returned from holiday, I won the Cooper Test every time, and for good reason: I've always given everything for FC Bayern because I'm still grateful to the club today that I was allowed to study medicine alongside football. I earned the privilege of being able to fly home early every now and then for my university studies by performing well, and it was also clear to me in this final that I had to deliver something special. It wasn't until the end that we got our goals; I picked up a cross and shot, and the Brazilian goalkeeper didn't react at all - he was just standing there, frozen. They really had a bellyful that day, no question. But that shouldn't diminish our performance.
Difficult journey for the return leg in Brazil
Ahead of the return leg, our flight from Munich was delayed due to fog. On the stopover in Paris we were stuck for hours, so manager Robert Schwan had the players' council vote on whether we should turn around or keep going. After a 28-hour trip via Rio, we arrived - and it was almost frightening, I thought, so very different from how I had imagined Brazil to be: much darker, oppressive, tropical rain and no sun, no beach, no blue sea. At the time, we had no idea where this city was. We landed a few hours before kick-off, completely shaken by the flight. Head coach Dettmar Cramer said it would be best if no-one slept, but rather drank coffee and ate cake until the game started. Sepp Maier got hold of some cooling compresses from the hairdresser in the hotel; I had a method that I still use today as a doctor to rest briefly and then be as sharp as a needle again. All in all, I had the impression we were at the end of the world.
Bayern with a hard-fought 0-0 in front of 114,000 spectators
In the stadium, 114,000 people were dancing a samba in the stands - in the pouring rain. Cramer was hit on the head by a cola can before the game and had to be taken to the dressing room covered in blood. But he would hear nothing of stopping the game, we really wanted to go through with it. What happened back then was crazy. Nevertheless, we held onto the 0-0 until the end, after which Franz Beckenbauer was widely acclaimed, even in the Brazilian newspapers - and rightly so: once again, he was the one we all looked to for guidance in this game. I won't allow anything to be said about Franz: What a terrific captain he was, unique in sporting terms, and as a person he's also simply wonderful! He made us gather all our strength once again in that game. I experienced that at close quarters over many years: Franz Beckenbauer was a true role model, always. Chapeau, hats off! This ability to rise above oneself when it counts is still in this club today. That's why I think FC Bayern are favourites again this year when it comes to the Club World Cup."
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