Bernd Bransch

Bernd Bransch (24 September 1944 – 11 June 2022) was a footballer from East Germany who played as a sweeper.

Career Bransch began his sporting career as a youngster at BSG Motor Halle-Süd. The son of a locksmith was then allowed to join sports club SC Chemie Halle in 1954. Bransch played throughout his career for SC Chemie Halle and its successor, Hallescher FC Chemie – except for the 1973/74 season, in which he played for FC Carl Zeiss Jena.

In 1968 and 1974 he was honoured as East German Footballer of the Year.

Bransch participated in the Munich Olympics 1972, in which his East German team secured a bronze medal, and in the gold medal-winning Montreal Olympics 1976 side. He also played in the 1974 FIFA World Cup.

In total Bransch played 317 league games, scoring 43 goals.

Bransch (in white) takes a free-kick against the Netherlands at the 1974 World Cup.