Werder Bremen are mourning the loss of their former 1961 German Cup-winning goalkeeper Heinrich "Heini" Kokartis. The keeper passed away at age 75 after a long bout with illness...
Werder Bremen are mourning the loss of their former 1961 German Cup-winning goalkeeper Heinrich "Heini" Kokartis. The keeper passed away at age 75 after a long bout with illness...
Werder Bremen are mourning the loss of their former 1961 German Cup-winning goalkeeper Heinrich "Heini" Kokartis. The keeper passed away at age 75 after a long bout with illness. Despite playing only three years with Werder, Kokartis gained a large following with the Green-Whites, playing in 69 Oberliga games as well as numerous German and European cup matches.
The keeper was forced to end his career much too early in 1963 after a serious sports accident. Playing in ice and snow, he collided with another player during a 2-0 win over Oldenburg and fractured his skull, never returning to the pitch.
"Heini Kokartis will always remain in our memories. He was one of the defining players in the successful pre-Bundesliga era. And he was one of the many Hamburg natives who felt welcome at Werder. Many should take his example. He also belongs among the very good keepers who have stood between the posts for Werder," said Werder manager Klaus-Dieter Fischer.
