Due to the beginning of the Second World War on September 1, 1939, Reich Sports Leader Hans von Tschammer und Osten initially prohibited all games in German sport. However, after public life quickly normalized, the competition ban was gradually relaxed again. In football, friendly matches were played first, and the lower football classes began their championship rounds. On October 10, 1939, apart from the Gau East Prussia, all football districts reported the resumption of regular game operations below the Gauligen . As a result, von Tschammer und Osten set the beginning of the Gauligaspiele on October 24, 1939 for the first weekend in December. Due to a lack of fuel and transport problems, it was decided in most of the Gauligen to play in two - in the Gauliga Baden even in five seasons. For the final round, the previous mode was retained, it officially began on May 12, 1940. However, since the game was interrupted for a long time due to the severe winter in several districts, some Gaume champions were only able to intervene in the final group games late.
The first war champion was FC Schalke 04 , which was the 5th time German champion. In the final, the Gelsenkirchen team met the reigning cup winner Dresdner SC , who was the first Central German team to reach the final since VfB Leipzig in 1914.
The narrow victory of the West Germans did not do justice to their clear superiority. The so-called third generation of Schalke players with the young players Herbert Burdenski, Willi Schuh and Bernhard Füller dominated the game for the full 90 minutes. Already in the first few minutes of the game, the Schalke striker developed numerous chances, but initially failed because of the Dresden goalkeeper Willibald Kress. In the opposite direction, the DSC attackers were in safe hands with the opposing defense, which was carefully organized by veteran Hans Bornemann. Dresden's most dangerous striker Helmut Schön was already intercepted in midfield by Ötte Tibulsky. Only Heinz Köpping put Schalke goalkeeper Hans Klodt to the test. In the 27th minute, Schalke's dominance led to success. Center forward Ernst Kalwitzki picked up a pass from Ernst Kuzorra and overcame Kreß with a dry shot into the lower right corner of the goal. After that, the game flattened out, Schalke lost ground, and the unimaginative DSC was unable to create the game itself. After the break, Schalke Hermann Eppenhoff missed the big chance to make it 2-0 when he shot the Dresden goalkeeper completely free. Then the West Germans shone with numerous cabinet pieces, which delighted the audience, but did not lead to further goals. Completely incomprehensible in view of the tight score, the Dresdner SC withdrew more and more into their own half in the course of the encounter instead of giving the game a turn. In the end, Schalke 04 was the deserved winner.
Franz Binder (14 goals)
FC Schalke 04 - Dresdner SC
