in spite of this, germany (as west germany) managed to win its first world cup in 1954 defeating heavily favoured hungary 3–2, the only "amateur" (i.e. semi-professional) side ever to do so. the unexpected victory was called "the miracle of bern" by a delighted nation. an oddity of the 1954 world cup preliminary rounds was the fielding of a separate side by the german state of saarland, which was occupied by the french and did not become a part of west germany again until after a plebiscite and treaty negotiation. the saarlanders acquitted themselves well, finishing second in their group ahead of norway and behind group winner west germany.