The 09 countdown to the final - every day a new chapter of BVB’s DFB Cup history! Here’s the fifth one. It’s about Frank Mill and the 1989 final: “People don’t remember the other ones.”

387 Bundesliga games, 123 goals, 17 caps for Germany and a member of the 1990 World Cup winning squad - but if there’s one thing Frank Mill is raving about, it’s Berlin. The 1989 cup final to be precise. “These were the most beautiful moments in my football career.”

This year is the 25th anniversary of 1989 final. What memories do you have of this game?

Only positive ones. 40,000 Dortmunder. 4-1 win against Bremen.

Everyone immediately thinks of Norbert Dickel when they hear about this game. But you also played some part in this victory.

I scored a goal and set up both of Nobby’s. The difference: I was able to continue playing, he was forced to end his career.

You won a World Cup winners medal in 1990.

Well, not really. I was there and I look at the 1990 World Cup as a good time and a good experience. I can call myself a World Cup winner, but I don’t feel like one…

… because you didn’t play a single minute in the tournament. Is that the reason why the 1989 cup win more important to you?

Yes, because I was fully involved. I set up the first and third goal and scored the second one myself while also clearing a ball off the line. These were the most beautiful moments in my football career.

The 1989 team is said to have had an extremely good team spirit. Is that true?

Yes, we were great buddies. Can you imagine seven or eight lads having a coffee and some cake after training in the dressing room of kitman “bomber” Wiegang talking about this and that? I don’t know if they still do that anywhere.

Are you still in a lot of contact with each other?

We are in contact. Also because I often play for the traditional team where I often meet Kutowski, Lusch and others.

On May 17 you will all meet in Berlin.

Okay, I have a game in Peine on that afternoon, but it’s on the way to Berlin, so I guess I have to leave there at halftime.

It sounds like you can’t get away from football.

No, it’s not like that, but I have 86 football schools for children and I play every Saturday afternoon.

It keeps you young!

And you don’t gain weight!

What do you think are Borussia’s chances in the cup final?

They are the only team capable of beating Bayern when it matters. I think Borussia will win the game as Bayern are afraid of them.

You are actually not a player associated with giving Bayern a scrare. There was this shot onto the post in 1986...

I always found the net against Bayern in the other games, but in that moment I guess tried too hard.

Don’t worry about it! We shouldn’t have mentioned it.

No, no problem. I don’t mind. It’s been 28 years now. There are still kids telling me, ‘You are the one who hit the post, aren’t you’. And I always reply, ‘You didn’t see that, your dad must have told you about it…’ You know what I always tell myself: people don’t remember the other ones…