Those of a certain age will likely remember legendary German goalkeeper Oliver Kahn; a man-mountain and one of the best in his position of his generation.
He was some character who is remembered for some spectacular saves, commanding presence and acts bordering on unbelievable.
However, in Germany and, among Bayern Munich supporters at least, there is one that he will most famously be remembered for.
Kahn Packed A Punch
In the last few minutes of matchday 24 of the Bundesliga season, in March 2001, Bayern were trailing 3-2 to Hansa Rostock, with Kahn in typical fashion, marauding forward to attack a corner.
And, wow, did he connect! While he rose impressively above the defenders like an onrushing steam train, as you will see below, he did so with his hands raised, together in fists and punched the ball like a bullet into the net.
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A moment that shocked all who saw it, causing chaos and confusion, the goal was ruled out immediately by referee Markus Merk who was standing just a few yards away, with Kahn eventually being sent off for a blatant handball and second bookable offence, in a mad minute which left spectators gobsmacked.
Later, Kahn claimed “I thought the goalkeeper was allowed to use his hands in the box!”, elaborating that it was a reflex having been used to punching the ball out of his own area on multiple occasions.
An Incident That Didn’t Mar The Season
At the time, Bayern was engaged in a fierce title race with rivals, Bayer Leverkusen and despite losing this game, they ended up as victors in the final seconds of the Bundesliga season, while they also won the treble; adding the DFB Pokal and the Champions League.
Kahn’s antics though; especially the image of him leaping to punch the ball into the goal, is remembered as one of the whackiest moments in Bundesliga history.
In later years, as a CEO and pundit, Kahn has since used the story to humanise himself, frequently laughing about the time when his ‘blackout’ led him to forget which penalty area he was in and act out of habit.
The incident also went some way to evolving a method of the ‘sweeper keeper’, despite the fact that Kahn’s method was a hilariously illegal version of it.
Kahn Carved His Own Legacy
https://www.flickr.com/people/gowestphoto/, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
In his later years and following his retirement, with Kahn having cemented his reputation as a ‘lovable madman’, as well as one of the sport’s finest goalkeepers, he went on to earn the respect of many in the game.
His passion underpinned that great Bayern Munich side, with him serving as the ultimate role model for another who followed in his footsteps; Manuel Neuer, who became an icon in his own right.
