adidas and the Miracle of Bern: To mark the 70th anniversary, adidas is releasing the Bern GTX "The Wunder"
“Six minutes left at Wankdorf Stadium in Bern. No one is faltering. The rain is pouring down relentlessly. It’s tough, but the spectators aren’t giving up—how could they! A World Cup comes around only once every four years, and when do you ever see a final like this—so evenly matched, so gripping? now Germany on the left wing through Schäfer; Schäfer’s pass to Morlock is blocked by the Hungarians, and Bozsik—always Bozsik—the Hungarian right midfielder, has the ball. He’s lost the ball this time, to Schäfer—Schäfer crosses it inward—header—blocked—Rahn should be shooting from the back—Rahn shoots!—Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal!"
"It’s over, over, over—over!—The game is over!—Germany is world champion…"
This is the original radio commentary by Herbert Zimmermann on the 1954 World Cup final. Starting with the line “Schäfer crosses it in,” it has remained vividly etched in our memories—and not just among soccer fans.
The so-called “Miracle of Bern” is one of the most legendary stories in international soccer and refers to the German national team’s surprising victory in the 1954 World Cup final.
This historic match took place on July 4, 1954, at the Wankdorf Stadium in Bern, the capital of Switzerland, and became a milestone in German sports history.
The Hungarian team, which advanced to the final, was considered virtually unbeatable. It had not lost a game in four years and boasted world-class players such as Ferenc Puskás.
In contrast, the German team was not viewed as a serious contender, especially since Germany had only recently been allowed to participate in international tournaments again following World War II.
The final began with Hungary taking an early lead, scoring two goals in the first eight minutes. It looked as though the game would unfold as expected. But the German team showed remarkable resilience. They managed to tie the score before halftime, an unexpected turning point in the game.
In the second half, the game intensified further. The decisive moment came when Helmut Rahn, a German player, scored the winning goal, putting Germany ahead 3–2. Germany became the World Cup champion for the first time.
To mark the 70th anniversary of the legendary “Miracle of Bern,” adidas presents the Bern GTX “The Wunder.” Beautifully showcased by 43einhalb:
This shoe combines nostalgic flair with modern elements, including a GORE-TEX membrane that makes it waterproof.
The sneaker thus represents a successful blend of tradition and innovation. Soccer fans in particular will appreciate the nod to the famous “Fritz-Walter weather.”
The Bern GTX stands out with its balanced combination of fashionable style and practical functionality.
It fits seamlessly into the current T-Toe trend, which adidas has played a major role in shaping in recent years. The true value of the Bern Gore-Tex, however, lies in its emotional significance.
Designed as a tribute to the “Miracle of Bern,” every part of the shoe reflects the deep emotions and historical significance of this soccer event.
The Bern Gore-Tex is more than just a shoe—it’s a piece of soccer history, affectionately known as “The Wunder,” and appeals to both soccer fans and sneaker enthusiasts.
The adidas Bern GTX “The Wunder” will be released on February 22 at 43einhalb.
Photos via 43einhalb, IMAGO: IMAGO/Pfeil, IMAGO/Ferdi Hartung, IMAGO/Baumann press photo
