Quick Facts
Biography
Karl-Heinz Granitza (born 1 November 1951, in Lünen, North Rhine-Westphalia) is a retired German football player. In the United States, he is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame.
Granitza played in Germany for VfB Lünen, Eintracht Dortmund, Lüner SV, DJK Gütersloh, SV Röchling Völklingen and Hertha BSC. In 1978 and again for the 1979 season, he transferred to the Chicago Sting of the NASL, leading the team to two league championships. He also excelled at the indoor game. Granitza was known for his powerful and accurate left foot. He was also very effective with direct free kicks, having the ability to strike the ball with top spin over the wall of defenders, and into the upper corners of the goal. He would finish as the NASL's second all-time leading scorer.
In the 1990s Granitza owned "State Street", an American-style sports bar in Berlin.
In 2003, Granitza was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame. His #12 shirt has been retired by the Chicago Storm.