The dominant German side of the era was Schalke 04, but the club's style of play, a quick passing game known as the Kreisel, was not suited to the more physical and direct tactical approach used by Nerz from observing English football.

Nerz had opted to make several changes to the side in the third-place playoff against Austria, with Hans Jakob replacing Willibald Kreß in goal due to the latter's poor performance in the semi-final defeat against Czechoslovakia.

Also added to the starting lineup was Reinhold Münzenberg, allowing Szepan, who had previously been deployed as a centre half, to play in his more familiar position as an inside forward.

Following the Olympics, Herberger opted to rebuild the team based on Schalke's Kreisel system, and Szepan's teammates Rudi Gellesch and Adolf Urban soon became regulars for the national side.

Seven Danish players were subsequently dropped for the next national team game, including Carl Larsen, who had remarked that it was simply too warm weather for football on the day.