The 1. FC Köln Files
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For the Lovers — 1. FC Köln

DFB Cup winners: in all, the Rhineland traditional club won the German Cup four times - in 1968, 1977, 1978 and 1983....

For the Lovers

Seventy points: the equivalent of 70 points under

Seventy points: the equivalent of 70 points under today’s three-point rule from the 1977/78 title-winning season remains the best Bundesliga total in club history.

today’s three-point rule from the 1977/78 title-winning season remains the best Bundesliga total in club history. The first of the club’s three German championships came in 1962.

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UEFA Cup: internationally, the Effzeh reached a European

UEFA Cup: internationally, the Effzeh reached a European semi-final eight times, including twice in the predecessor to the UEFA Cup, the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup.

semi-final eight times, including twice in the predecessor to the UEFA Cup, the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup. The greatest continental achievement remains the 1986 UEFA Cup final, where FC were ultimately outclassed by Real Madrid over two legs.

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The greatest success in the club’s history came

The greatest success in the club’s history came in 1977/78 with the Double of league title and DFB Cup.

in 1977/78 with the Double of league title and DFB Cup. It also remains the narrowest championship win in Bundesliga history. Never has the title race been decided more tightly than on 29 April 1978. While leaders Köln faced already relegated St.

Pauli in Hamburg, challengers Borussia Mönchengladbach welcomed Borussia Dortmund in Düsseldorf and the biggest goal-shootout in league history unfolded. Gladbach beat Dortmund 12-0 - yet Köln became champions thanks to a goal difference better by exactly three. FC won 5-0 at St.

Pauli and were kept informed via radio about the record scoreline in Düsseldorf, which still stood in December 2019. Bernd Cullmann, Heinz Flohe twice and Yasuhiko Okudera scored in the rain of Hamburg as Cologne sealed their second Bundesliga title. Both Rhineland rivals finished the season with 86 goals.

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A stellar hour against Belgrade: one of the

A stellar hour against Belgrade: one of the most ferocious European comebacks in club history came on 6 December 1989.

most ferocious European comebacks in club history came on 6 December 1989. After losing the first leg 2-0 in Belgrade’s Marakana, FC turned the tie around in Müngersdorf with a 3-0 win over Red Star, powered by two Falko Götz goals and one from Frank Ordenewitz. Afterwards “Unser Herz schlägt für de FC Kölle” rang out in the dressing room.

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Bayer champions? Not with Kölle! Matchday 33 of

Bayer champions?

the 1996/97 season gave FC the chance to lift their fans’ mood at the end of a mediocre campaign.

They did just that: with a 4-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen, coached by ex-FC manager Christoph Daum, they handed the title early to bitterly disliked Bayern Munich, who were winning simultaneously. Toni Polster scored a hat-trick. In 2011, Köln also shattered Leverkusen’s title hopes again with a 2-0 home win and in the process helped Jürgen Klopp’s Borussia Dortmund to their first championship.

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FC 10 - FK Pirmasens 0: the highest

FC 10 - FK Pirmasens 0: the highest win in a championship match came in the finals for the 1962 German title, when Köln demolished southwest power FK 03 Pirmasens 10-0.

win in a championship match came in the finals for the 1962 German title, when Köln demolished southwest power FK 03 Pirmasens 10-0. Karl-Heinz Thielen scored four on his own and world champion Hans Schäfer added two.

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European victory after 25 years: all of Cologne

European victory after 25 years: all of Cologne had waited a quarter of a century for this moment - a win in European competition, something the club had not managed since beating Celtic 2-0 in September 1992.

had waited a quarter of a century for this moment - a win in European competition, something the club had not managed since beating Celtic 2-0 in September 1992. On 2 November 2017 the drought ended with a 5-2 win over BATE Borisov, and with a sensational 1-0 against Arsenal on 23 November FC forced a group-stage “final” in Belgrade for qualification. That time, however, Red Star took revenge and won 1-0.

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Highest home win in either of the top

Highest home win in either of the top two divisions: Köln won 8-0 at home twice in the Bundesliga, against Schalke 04 in 1969/70 and Eintracht Braunschweig in 1979/80.

two divisions: Köln won 8-0 at home twice in the Bundesliga, against Schalke 04 in 1969/70 and Eintracht Braunschweig in 1979/80. Highest away win: a 6-0 at Tasmania Berlin in 1965/66. Longest winning streak: seven in a row in 1969/70. Most wins in a season: 22 in 1977/78. Longest unbeaten run: 25 matches in 2002/03, albeit in Bundesliga 2.

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DFL Licence Check

KOE · FY 2023-24
Equity positive
€25.9M
Pass
Equity ratio > 30%
28.2%
+-1.8 pts margin
Liabilities < 50%
41.2%
8.8 pts margin
Full balance sheet →

For the Lovers — Update 2020–2026

The 2022/23 Conference League, with games against Arsenal and PSV, was a clear high point.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Koeln's greatest achievements?
1. FC Koeln has won significant titles and unforgettable victories throughout its history. This chapter celebrates those moments.
What titles has Koeln won?
1. FC Koeln's trophy cabinet includes domestic and international honours, all documented in the Lovers chapter.
What was Koeln's best season?
The most successful seasons and their stories are told in detail in this chapter.
What does For the Lovers cover?
DFB Cup winners: in all, the Rhineland traditional club won the German Cup four times - in 1968, 1977, 1978 and 1983....
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