After two wins against Italy in the first round, the GDR team moved into the decisive second round. There it came to the duel against Yugoslavia after the withdrawal of the Finnish team. After a win in Rostock , the goalless draw in the second leg was enough to qualify for the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich .
In the preliminary round, after two victories against Ghana and Colombia in the last game against Poland, it was about the group victory, which the later Olympic champion won. The intermediate round was concluded with two wins against Mexico and FR Germany, as well as a defeat against defending champion Hungary in second place, which entitled to the game for third place. In this one separated from the Soviet Union after an extension draw, which brought both teams the bronze medal.