“One of the greatest athletes of his time”
Former GDR national player Kreise died
Updated April 1, 2026 – 1:10 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
He played 50 international matches for the GDR and became a club legend at Dynamo Dresden. Hans-Jürgen Kreische has now died at the age of 78.
Dynamo Dresden mourns the loss of its honorary captain Hans-Jürgen Kreische. As the Saxons announced on Wednesday, the former goalscorer and later coach died on the night of March 31st to April 1st at the age of 78 after an illness.
Kreisché played 50 international matches for the GDR, in which he scored 22 goals. The striker took part in the 1974 World Cup and was on the pitch for over 90 minutes in the legendary 1-0 victory over West Germany. Two years earlier he played a major role in winning the bronze medal at the Munich Olympics when he scored five goals in seven games.
He also celebrated numerous successes at club level, becoming GDR champions five times with Dresden and winning the cup once. He was also the top scorer in the GDR league four times and was named Footballer of the Year in 1973. After his career, he became a coach and looked after Dynamo in the regional league in the 1995/96 season. He also worked as a talent scout for Hamburger SV and RB Leipzig, among others.
Kreische’s Dynamo honorary captain colleague Ralf Minge said in a club statement: “Hansi was without a doubt one of the greatest athletes of his time. As young guys, we looked up to him like no one else. When he stepped onto the pitch, magical moments were not far away.”
And further: “Even after his active time, he put himself into the service of the sports community, as a head coach, scout and supporter of the young talent. I wish his family a lot of strength in this difficult hour. Hansi Kreische will forever be remembered by all black and yellow fans.”
Dresden’s President Ronny Rehn also remembered Kreische: “Even though I was no longer lucky enough to see Hans-Jürgen Kreische himself on the pitch, the stories about the battles he fought were legendary. It seems unbelievable that he is no longer with us.”
Before the home game against Hertha BSC on Saturday evening, Dresden will remember Kreise with a minute’s silence. The team also wears mourning ribbon.
