Football in the Years of Change: A Story of Upheaval and Unity. 1989/90 marked a turning point in history. In the autumn of 1989, the Berlin Wall fell, and the Cold War came to an end. On the pitch, the timing seemed perfect: In the summer of 1990, the German national team became world champions in Italy. Jubilation erupted from Cologne to Dresden, from Rostock to Munich – finally, without limits. But while everything in the West continued as before, the sun was setting in the East. Daily life imploded, factories and businesses closed, and unemployment skyrocketed. Those who could, sought their fortune in the West. A profound exploration of East German football. In return, many risk-takers, fortune seekers, and adventurers arrived, sensing a great opportunity "over there." The euphoria of reunification was soon followed by disillusionment and a rapid sell-off; ecstasy gave way to agony – in football as well. The leading East German clubs had to fight for the few places allocated to them in unified German professional football, while clubs from the West secured the best players from the collapsing GDR. The consequences are still felt and seen today – in league tables and stadiums, in the stands and locker rooms. And yet, the unified German culture of remembrance, particularly regarding football, still has many blind spots.