–
Bundesliga soccer club Borussia Mönchengladbach and second division 1. FC Nürnberg mourn their former striker Hans-Jörg Criens. The third most successful Bundesliga scorer of the Borussia (92 goals in 290 games) died at the age of 59. A corresponding one Report of the “Bild” newspaper has confirmed Nuremberg via Twitter. According to the “picture”, the cause of death is said to have been a heart attack.
In his premier league career from 1982 to 1995, Criens initially earned a reputation as a “noble joker” in Mönchengladbach by hitting after substitutions. Later he led the team on the field as a captain.
One of the greatest successes of the Neuss native in the Gladbacher Jersey was the participation in the DFB Cup finals in 1984 and 1992. In 1984 it was his two goals as a substitute in the semi-final against Werder Bremen that brought Borussia to the final. Criens, who arrived a few minutes earlier, then scored 4: 4 against Werder in added time; in extra time he scored the winning goal for 5: 4. In the final, Borussia then lost to FC Bayern Munich on penalties.
He later played in 13 Bundesliga games for Nuremberg, scoring twice. In 1987 Criens, who ended his career in 1995 after two years in Nuremberg, played a game for the German Olympic team. Only Jupp Heynckes (195 goals) and Herbert Laumen (97) scored more goals for Mönchengladbach than “the tall one”.
–
