Harald Konopka
Encyclopedia
Harald Konopka is a former German
football player.
Initially a striker, Konopka joined 1. FC Köln
in time to capture the German U19 title in 1971, the summer he turned professional. Sort of an ever-present member of the first-team, the tough tackling defender excelled in a full back role for his club throughout the years. He won three German Cup
's with 1. FC Köln
and was runner-up with them in two other editions. Ending up on the second best position in Bundesliga
with Köln two times, Harald Konopka was part of the famous 1. FC Köln squad that won the Bundesliga under manager Hennes Weisweiler
in 1978 to complete a remarkable achievement of a national cup and league in the same season (double
). A few months into his final year in Bundesliga, Konopka left 1. FC Köln to join Borussia Dortmund
for the remainder of his career. In total he played in 352 Bundesliga matches, scoring 21 goals.
Konopka's career for West Germany was a brief one, lasting for only two matches, but earned him a participation in the 1978 FIFA World Cup
. Making the squad as one of two uncapped players (the other one was Gerd Zewe
), Konopka came to action as a substitute for his injured 1. FC Köln team-mate Herbert Zimmermann in the goalless draw against Italy
at Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti
. Almost a year later he appeared in his final international for his country, featuring entirely in the 3-1 win over Iceland
.
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
football player.
Initially a striker, Konopka joined 1. FC Köln
1. FC Köln
1. FC Köln is a German association football club based in Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia. It was formed in 1948 as a merger of the clubs Kölner Ballspiel-Club 1901 and SpVgg Sülz 07....
in time to capture the German U19 title in 1971, the summer he turned professional. Sort of an ever-present member of the first-team, the tough tackling defender excelled in a full back role for his club throughout the years. He won three German Cup
DFB-Pokal
The DFB-Pokal or DFB Cup is a German knockout football cup competition held annually. 64 teams participate in the competition, including all clubs from the Bundesliga and the 2nd Bundesliga. It is considered the second most important national title in German football after the Bundesliga...
's with 1. FC Köln
1. FC Köln
1. FC Köln is a German association football club based in Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia. It was formed in 1948 as a merger of the clubs Kölner Ballspiel-Club 1901 and SpVgg Sülz 07....
and was runner-up with them in two other editions. Ending up on the second best position in Bundesliga
Fußball-Bundesliga
The Fußball-Bundesliga is a professional association football league in Germany. At the top of Germany's football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. It is contested by 18 teams and operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the 2. Bundesliga...
with Köln two times, Harald Konopka was part of the famous 1. FC Köln squad that won the Bundesliga under manager Hennes Weisweiler
Hennes Weisweiler
Hans "Hennes" Weisweiler was a German football player and coach....
in 1978 to complete a remarkable achievement of a national cup and league in the same season (double
The Double
The Double is a term in association football which refers to winning a country's top tier division and its primary cup competition in the same season...
). A few months into his final year in Bundesliga, Konopka left 1. FC Köln to join Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund
Ballspielverein Borussia Dortmund, commonly BVB, are a German sports club based in Dortmund, North Rhine-Westphalia. Dortmund are one of the most successful clubs in German football history. Borussia Dortmund play in the Bundesliga, the top league of German football...
for the remainder of his career. In total he played in 352 Bundesliga matches, scoring 21 goals.
Konopka's career for West Germany was a brief one, lasting for only two matches, but earned him a participation in the 1978 FIFA World Cup
1978 FIFA World Cup
The 1978 FIFA World Cup, the 11th staging of the FIFA World Cup, was held in Argentina between 1 June and 25 June. The 1978 World Cup was won by Argentina who beat the Netherlands 3–1 after extra time in the final. This win was the first World Cup title for Argentina, who became the fifth...
. Making the squad as one of two uncapped players (the other one was Gerd Zewe
Gerd Zewe
Gerd Zewe is a former German football player and manager.Zewe was a youngster for SV Stennweiler and an amateur for Borussia Neunkirchen...
), Konopka came to action as a substitute for his injured 1. FC Köln team-mate Herbert Zimmermann in the goalless draw against Italy
Italy national football team
The Italy National Football Team , represents Italy in association football and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation , the governing body for football in Italy. Italy is the second most successful national team in the history of the World Cup having won four titles , just one fewer than...
at Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti
Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti
Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti, is a stadium in the Belgrano district of Buenos Aires, Argentina at the intersection of Figueroa Alcorta and Udaondo. It is the home venue of Club Atlético River Plate and is named after former club president Antonio Vespucio Liberti...
. Almost a year later he appeared in his final international for his country, featuring entirely in the 3-1 win over Iceland
Iceland national football team
The Iceland national football team is the national football team of Iceland and is controlled by the Football Association of Iceland. It has never advanced to the finals of any major international competition....
.