BERLIN, June 17: Fritz Walter, who captained West Germany to their first World Cup success in 1954, died Monday aged 81.

Walter was one of the “Heroes of Berne” who beat a star-studded Hungary 3-2 in the World Cup final in Switzerland, the first time a German side had participated after World War Two.

The playmaker and striker, already 33, became the first German to hold aloft the Jules Rimet trophy after his side fought back from a two-goal deficit conceded in just 10 minutes.

The result, engineered by coach Sepp Herberger, was a big shock after Germany had lost 8-3 in the first round to Hungary, a team which had not lost a match in four years and were firm favourites for the title.—Reuters