The history of 1. FC Kaiserslautern
Milestones and background from the club's history, in chronological order.
More milestones and background for each event.
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Competitions
Nicknames through the years Three names tell a story of near misses, late goals and an unbeaten season. Read the storiesClose the stories
The Walter era
First German championship final
The team led by Fritz Walter reaches its first German championship final.
Kaiserslautern lose 2-1 to 1. FC Nürnberg at Cologne’s Müngersdorfer Stadion and finish as runners-up.
First German championship
Kaiserslautern beat Preußen Münster 2-1 in the Berlin final.
Two goals from Ottmar Walter overturn the deficit and secure the first German championship for Richard Schneider’s side.
Second German championship
A 4-1 victory over VfB Stuttgart in Berlin brings Kaiserslautern a second championship.
The team led by Fritz Walter confirms its prominent place in German post-war football.
Back in the championship final as holders
The defending champions lose the final 5-1 to Hannoverscher SV 96 at Hamburg’s Volksparkstadion.
Kaiserslautern miss out on a third German championship.
A fifth championship final
Kaiserslautern reach a fifth German championship final but lose 4-3 to Rot-Weiss Essen in Hanover.
It is the last championship final of the great Fritz Walter era.
First DFB-Pokal final
FCK reach the DFB-Pokal final for the first time.
SV Werder Bremen win the final in Gelsenkirchen 2-0, leaving Kaiserslautern still waiting for their first cup triumph.
Bundesliga and Europe
Second DFB-Pokal final
FCK lose the final in Hanover 5-0 to Schalke 04.
Despite the defeat, Kaiserslautern qualify for the UEFA Cup for the first time because league runners-up Schalke have already qualified through the league.
Third DFB-Pokal final
The third attempt to win the cup also ends without a trophy.
Kaiserslautern lose the final 2-0 to Hamburger SV at Frankfurt’s Waldstadion.
A fourth cup final without a trophy
Eintracht Frankfurt win the final at Stuttgart’s Neckarstadion 3-1.
Kaiserslautern suffer their fourth defeat in four DFB-Pokal finals.
Cup triumphs and championships
First DFB-Pokal triumph
The fifth final brings the first cup triumph as Kaiserslautern beat SV Werder Bremen 3-2.
Two goals from Bruno Labbadia and one from Stefan Kuntz establish an early 3-0 lead that Bremen can only reduce.
Winning the DFB Supercup
As German champions, FCK beat cup holders SV Werder Bremen 3-1 in the Supercup final in Hanover.
It is the club’s first Supercup title.
Cup triumph one week after relegation
Just one week after relegation, Kaiserslautern win the DFB-Pokal in Berlin.
Martin Wagner scores the decisive goal in a 1-0 victory over Karlsruher SC to secure the club’s second cup triumph.
Winning the Indoor Masters
Playing in the second division, Kaiserslautern win the DFB Indoor Masters.
In the final at Munich’s Olympiahalle, FCK come from behind to beat Bayern Munich 3-1.
European nights and setbacks
Seventh DFB-Pokal final
Kaiserslautern reach their seventh DFB-Pokal final.
FCK lose 3-1 to Bayern Munich at Berlin’s Olympiastadion.
Third division and comeback
First Southwest Cup triumph
Kaiserslautern come from behind to beat Wormatia Worms 2-1 in the final in Pirmasens.
Christian Kühlwetter scores both goals, including the winning penalty in the final minute.
Retaining the Southwest Cup
After 120 goalless minutes, Kaiserslautern beat Alemannia Waldalgesheim 5-3 on penalties in the final.
All five FCK takers score to retain the trophy in Pirmasens.
Eighth DFB-Pokal final
In their eighth DFB-Pokal final, second-division Kaiserslautern lose 1-0 to German champions Bayer Leverkusen.
Granit Xhaka scores the deciding goal in Berlin.
