1908: Switzerland – Germany 5-3 (3-1)

The first squad: Baumgärtner, Becker, Hensel, Baumgarten, A. Hiller, Hempel, Förderer, Jordan, K. Ludwig, Kipp, Weymar.

Match 1.

5.4.1908.

Basel.

Landhof.

15:00.

Referee: Devitte (Switzerland).

Spectators: 3.500

Switzerland: Dreyfuss, Henneberg, Hug, Strauss, Megroz, Lehmann, Rubli, Pfeiffer, Kämpfer, Isenegger, Kobelt.

Germany: Baumgarten, Jordan, Hempel, K. Ludwig, A. Hiller, Weymar, Hensel, Förderer, Kipp, Becker, Baumgärtner.

Goals: 0:1 Becker (6), 1:1 Kämpfer (21.), 2:1 Jordan (28., owngoal), 3:1 Pfeiffer (32.), 3:2 Förderer (52.), 4:2 Pfeiffer (57.), 4:3 Becker (69.), 5:3 Kämpfer (89.).

** First match ever for the German national team. **

** First match against Switzerland. **

** First match in Switzerland. **

** First defeat. **

The very first match: Sunday, April 5, 1908, at 3 PM.

Better times ahead.

Fritz Förderer, the second scorer.

Eugen Kipp.

Between 1899 and 1901, prior to the formation of a national team, there were five unofficial international matches between different German and English selection teams, which all ended as large defeats for the German teams. Eight years after the establishment of the German Football Association (DFB), the first official match of the Germany national football team was played on 5 April 1908, against Switzerland in Basel, with the Swiss winning 5–3.  At that time, the players were selected by the DFB as there was no dedicated coach (Source: Wikipedia).