football was re-organised into sixteen gaue (drl sub-divisions) in the gauliga, which was in place from 1933 to 1945. the overall effect of this was positive for german football. prior to 1933, nearly 600 clubs competed in the top flight. league re-organisation reduced this to about 170 sides and significantly raised the level of competition. this was the beginning of a process of consolidation of the myriad of small regional leagues that would culminate in a stronger, unified national league structure. the german cup was introduced in 1935. known initially as the tschammerpokal, after hans von tschammer, the first cup winner was 1. fc nürnberg. play for the tschammerpokal went on until 1943 and was not resumed again until 1953, under its new name.