Toni Turek

Bronze statue by Toni Turek next to the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Düsseldorf-Stockum. Anton Turek (18 January 1919 – 11 May 1984) was a German footballer who played as a goalkeeper.

Career Born in Duisburg, Turek started his career at Duisburger Sportverein, but he soon moved to TuS Duisburg 48/99. He first came to the attention of later West Germany national team coach Sepp Herberger was on 27 September 1936, when West Germany played a preparation game against Luxembourg in Krefeld. Before that game, the youth teams of Krefeld and TuS Duisburg 48/99 had met with the 17-year-old Turek standing in the Duisburg goal. During World War II Turek was lucky things did not turn out worse for him as a shell splinter struck through his helmet.

In 1950 Turek transferred to Fortuna Düsseldorf. Between 1950 and 1954 he played 20 games for the West Germany national team. He played in "The Miracle of Bern" 1954 FIFA World Cup final against Hungary and won the Championship.

After a fine save from a very close shot by Nándor Hidegkuti, he was described by the sports reporter Herbert Zimmermann with the words "Toni, you're a football God". He later had to apologize for that comment because the church complained about the comparison of a football player with God.

Death Turek died in Neuss in 1984.

Legacy He has received numerous honours and is still highly regarded in Germany, especially in the Rhineland.