We're continuing our Saturday series of throwbacks, with the 1974 World Cup today.

The Dutch seemed to have cracked the code as they unleashed 'Total Football,' but the West Germans took home the spoils.

They won the final 2-1 in front of their home fans, despite falling behind to an early penalty.

The official mascots for the 1974 World Cup, Tip and Tap, prepare to kick off on the centre spot of Munich's Olympiastadion, venue for the 1974 World Cup Final

As ever, John Duggan was joined by John Duggan and Dan McDonnell for today's review.

While the scintillating Netherlands side dominates much of the conversation around this tournament, we wondered why the Oranje failed the lift the cup, amid local reports in Germany that their players were overconfident and allowed off-field distractions to affect their focus before the final.

German captain and sweeper Franz Beckenbauer controls the ball during the 1974 World Cup group game Germany against Australia at the Volksparkstadion in Hamburg, Germany on 18 June 1974. Germany won the game by a score of 3-0.

Listeners weighed-in over the hour, and asked whether the quality of the West German side has been forgotten amid all the 'Total Football,' folklore tied to the World Cup.

One of their key-players was the ice-cool Franz Beckenbauer.

A laughing German captain Franz Beckenbauer (2nd from L) and goalkeeper Sepp Maier (R) hold the just won World Cup trophy with Maier even kissing it. On the left, German president Walter Scheel can be seen applauding. The German national team wins the World Cup final against the Netherlands on 07 July 1974 in front of 80,000 spectators at the Olympic Stadium in Munich, Germany, by a final score of 2-1 and thus wins the World Cup title for the second time.

Earlier in this week, Ireland and Leeds legend John Giles picked a team comprised of the best 11 players from outside of Ireland and the UK who he faced during his career.

He was full of praise for the former-German captain, who he likened to having an extra player on the field.

"He was unbelievable ... he was like two players"

Franz Beckenbauer is an automatic selection in John Giles' All-Time Rest of the World XI ⚽️📺@PaddyPower https://t.co/3QzxEmsxHM

— Off The Ball (@offtheball) May 14, 2020

Elsewhere, we discussed Zaire players fearing for their safety and Scotland's misfortune, going out in the group stages despite earning one win and two drawn. In a three-way tie with Yugoslavia and Brazil, they had the weakest goal difference.

Before today's show we asked for your memories, as ever you didn't disappoint:

78 was my first, it was like watching a carnival...

— Jimmy Allen (@JimmyAllen71) May 15, 2020

10 year old me. The Scots , Zaire and numbers peeling off the shirts. Didnt they break from a wall and kick the ball before free was taken. Cruyff and that turn.

— Sean Reynolds (@SeanRey57043948) May 14, 2020

I was there and saw Poland play v Sweden, Yugoslavia & West Germany. Against W.Germany was the day they brought the fire brigades on to the pitch to clear the rain off the pitch!

— danny Losty (@losty_danny) May 14, 2020