Sepp Maier in conversation

“No joke! Austria is my secret favorite”

Sepp Maier is also very fond of ÖFB team boss Ralf Rangnick(Bild: Weber / dpa Picture Alliance / picturedesk.com; APA/GEORG HOCHMUTH)

World champion in 1974 and European champion in 1972, German champion and cup winner four times each, three-time Champions Cup winner and FC Bayern's record player with 699 appearances - Sepp Maier not only made a name for himself as a soccer legend, but also as a joker. The 80-year-old chatted to the "Krone" about his European Championship title in 1972, the upcoming EURO, Austria's chances and the odd anecdote.

"Krone": Mr. Maier, how do you still remember the 1972 European Championship?
Sepp Maier : That was over 50 years ago, a different time, a different format. The quarter-finals were still a qualifier, if you lost there, you were already out. The actual EURO with the four finalists was completed in five days, today it takes a month.