As we prepare to face Hamburger SV on Sunday, We take a look back at A famous encounter with our german opponents…
City were a regular fixture in the European Cup-Winners Cup during the 1960s as they qualified for the tournament by virtue of winning the Welsh Cup. Having won that competition five times during the decade, they earned many opportunities to test themselves against Europe’s elite.
During the 1967/68 campaign, the Bluebirds were managed by the legendary Jimmy Scoular, who had taken the helm in 1964. City’s European exploits were certainly the main focus of the season as they despatched Shamrock Rovers, NAC Breda and Moscow Torpedo to set up a clash with Hamburger SV for a place in the final of the Cup-Winners Cup.
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I had the privilege of playing alongside some fantastic talents, but we were a team and that showed on the pitch, week in and out. They were not just colleagues, but good friends who we all played and socialised with. In those days there were no egos – Jimmy Schoular would not have put up with that, I can assure you!”
The semi-final was a two legged affair with the first game taking place in Germany on 24th April 1968. The Hamburg team contained many experienced international players, with German striker Uwe Seeler being the most notable. Throughout his career he netted an extraordinary 404 times in 473 games for Hamburg over a period of nineteen years.
The Bluebirds made a fast start to proceedings in front of 64,410 fans in Hamburg, and were ahead inside the opening four minutes as former Southampton forward, Norman Dean, fired home the early strike. City were on the back foot for long periods after the goal though, as Hamburg launched wave after wave of attack in an attempt to level the score. It was noted that City’s defence sometimes numbered nine men!
Cardiff keeper, Bob Wilson, was in inspired form and made a raft of spectacular saves to preserve the lead as the teams left the field for the interval. He was finally beaten with twenty minutes to play when Hamburg’s Helmut Sandmann shot past him. City did not buckle, however, and held on to leave Germany with a very impressive 1-1 draw.“
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