Champions League Trophy Originated in Bremen
Article: Bremen's Unacknowledged Role in the Creation of the UEFA Champions League Trophy
In the early 1960s, the design of UEFA's iconic Champions League trophy was not the sole work of a Swiss jeweler as records indicate. Instead, Bremen's Koch and Bergfeld silver manufactory played a pivotal role in the origins of the coveted silverware.
When UEFA sought designs for a new trophy in 1967, Berner jeweler Jürg Stadelmann enlisted the help of Koch and Bergfeld. The Bremen company presented three designs, one of which was chosen. However, years later, UEFA continued to credit Stadelmann as the inventor of the trophy, even though the original drawing resides in the safe of Koch and Bergfeld.
Frustration surged at the Bremen silversmith in the 1960s due to the lack of trademark and design rights, and the persisting claim by Stadelmann that he was the designer. "It kept popping up that people said: 'It can't be that he keeps claiming he invented it.' But we did," shares current CEO Roland Thölken. A legal battle with UEFA was reportedly out of reach for the small Bremen company.
Berner jeweler Stadelmann remains the inventor of the 73.5-centimeter-tall, 7.5-kilogram Champions League trophy on UEFA's website. Yet, Koch and Bergfeld took pride in crafting the actual trophy for UEFA until 2002, when the association opted for cheaper production in Italy. Today, the Bremen silver manufactory focuses on making replicas of the Champions League trophy, as well as the DFL Meisterschale and DFB-Pokal.
A notable connection to Bremen exists with FC Bayern Munich. The former president, Uli Hoeneß, placed personal orders for replicas, including an engraved original Meisterschale and replicas of the old Champions League trophy. Today, Hoeneß's request stands, as fans of FC Bayern Munich can only watch as either Paris Saint-Germain or Inter Milan lift the "Made in Bremen" trophy at the Champions League final.
While the official credit for the Champions League trophy remains with Stadelmann, it's important to acknowledge the significant role played by Bremen's Koch and Bergfeld in its creation.
Enrichment Data Sources:- [1] UEFA.com; UEFA Champions League; Trophy- [3] The Guardian; UEFA Champions League; History of the trophy- [4] The Independent; UEFA Champions League; How the trophy got its 'big ears'
The Bremen-crafted Champions League trophy, initially designed by Jürg Stadelmann with the assistance of Koch and Bergfeld, was the focus of UEFA's search for a new silverware in 1967. Despite UEFA's persistent recognition of Stadelmann as the inventor, Koch and Bergfeld's original drawing remains embedded in their safe, highlighting their crucial part in the creation of the Champions League trophy.
