That early goal by Werner Krauß was almost the only thing that went according to plan for Jena. Union shocked everyone even with the team selection. The 21-year-old Reinhard Lauck, actually signed for the following season, was thrown in immediately.\n\nIn the quarter-final replay against Energie Cottbus he had still been on the other side.
In the final, however, the quickly converted handball penalty by Meinhard Uentz after 29 minutes gave Union courage. Captain Ulrich Prüfke later said that Jena were visibly surprised by Union’s footballing quality.\n\nSchwenzfeier went even further, claiming Union had controlled the champions before the break and remained dangerous after it with their trademark counterattacks. Ralf Quest made it 2–1 in the 63rd minute.
Behind him, goalkeeper Rainer Ignaczak refused to concede another goal.