Saturday, June 28, 2014

World Cup '74 Portrait #94 (Paul Breitner: West Germany)




graphite & putty eraser, with watercolour pencil/30x21cm

Today’s iconic subject is Paul Breitner, resplendent in his trademark 'fro-esque hairstyle, one of those relatively few memorable figures/names from the 1974 World Cup, who played in all 7 of West Germany’s matches on their way to winning the tournament (after being represented in both the FKS & Panini commemorative sticker albums), nominally at left back but often popping up in attack in the manner of ‘total football’ (as practised by not only the Dutch), socks habitually worn around his ankles, scoring the only goal in the opening victory against Chile with a spectacular long-range right-footed strike, breaking the deadlock in the first Second Round group game, the 2 – 0 win over Yugoslavia, in similarly impressive fashion, & then converting the equalizing penalty in the Final against Holland

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