Football at the 1960 Summer Olympics – Men's European Qualifiers – Preliminary round

Football at the 1960 Summer Olympics – Men's European Qualifiers – Preliminary round
First leg
Date	16 September 1959
Venue	Walter-Ulbricht-Stadion, East Berlin
Attendance	0
Second leg
Date	23 September 1959
Venue	Rheinstadion, Düsseldorf
Attendance	0

The preliminary round of the European matches for the 1960 Summer Olympics football qualification consisted of a two-legged tie that determined the last spot of the group stage.^[1] The tie featured East Germany and West Germany, and were played in secret without any spectators permitted.

Background

During this time, the International Olympic Committee only recognized the West German Olympic Sports Confederation as the one committee for Germany. Two ideas were proposed; either a unified team would enter qualification, or East and West Germany field separate teams in a play-off for qualification.

A play-off was confirmed between the two teams, as well as the matches played secretly and without spectators.^[2] Scottish newspaper The Glasgow Herald reported that those only present in the stands were team managers, trainers, and 60 newspaper journalists. Despite the secretive prospect of the matches, they were televised but viewers were not permitted to know the venues the matches were taking place.^[3]

Format

In the preliminary round, the two teams competed in a two-legged home-and-away playoff. The winner advanced to the group stage of the European qualification.