It was one of the most sophisticated football stadiums of its generation; It symbolised a new, democratic Germany; It was a stomping ground for some legendary Bayern sides.

The Olympic Stadium

The Olympic Stadium in Northern Munich was the centre-piece at the 1972 Olympics in which the “new” Germany aimed to show the world that it was a cut above the rest, both politically and one on the sporting field. My earliest memories of the Olympic Stadium didn’t really emerge until the late 90s, November 4th 1999 to be precise. One half of Glasgow was buzzing with excitement as a talented Rangers side under Dick Advocaat where 90 minutes away from being the first Scottish club to reach the latter rounds of the UEFA Champions League. A sickening feeling was left in my stomach, even as a 6 year-old, the dream had gone as Bayern struck home a dubious penalty – despite the Scots hitting the post nearly 6 times – and our new-found “god” had succumbed to a crushing knee injury which killed his potential. The image of Dutch striker Michael Mols hobbling with the physio down the Olympic track in Munich still haunts me to this day, who knows how good he could have been? The famous Mols turn was never seen in its prime again.

The Legend Franz Beckenbauer

Reverse back 27 years, I am sure the whole world would have been in awe as the Munich Olympics kicked off in the new home of sport in West Germany. Holding just under 80,000 at the time, it was already penned in as the home of the 1974 World Cup Final, that saw West Germany defeat the Netherlands 2-1  in front of 74,000 spectators. FC Bayern Munich and their local rivals, 1860, held the keys to the Olympic Stadium until 2006 before moving to the even more sophisticated Allianz Arena.  The early 70s was part of the “Golden era” for Bayern, which saw three European Cups following the opening of the Olympic Stadium. It could be said, that the new arena had a positive effect on the Bayern side which included Franz Roth, Gerd Muller, Sepp Maier & the great Franz Beckenbauer. The early years of the Olympic Stadium will be very familiar to Nottingham Forest fans, as this was the scene of their triumphant European Cup win over Malmo.

Recognised as a UEFA Elite Stadium, this would be the scene of some classic football matches including the 1993 and 1997 Champions League finals. For England fans, they might remember a night in 2001? A certain Michael Owen scored a hat-trick that night as the Germans simply crumbled infront of a rampant England side heading for Korea and Japan a year later full of optimism, which ended in failure of course. It was the heart of the Olympiapark in Munich, which contained Swimming halls, Tennis facilities, a tower & a Cycle center: this was ultimately the cream of the crop at the time.

The stadium is still in fine condition, shadowed by the massive acrylic covers which was a striking feature of the stadium. The construction of the Allianz Arena, one of my favourite football grounds, has near enough casted this classic venue aside, which is a bit of a waste considering what it has been through.