Former East Germany captain Bernd Bransch has died aged 77 after a long illness, his ex-club Halle said in a statement on Sunday. Bransch played 72 times for East Germany and helped them win the Olympic title in 1976, as well as bronze in 1972. He was also captain when East Germany reached their only World Cup in 1974 in West Germany. They beat the hosts, who went on to win the trophy. After Hans-Jürgen Dörner und Joachim Streich, Bransch is the third notable former East German player to die this year. “On behalf of all members, players, fans, sponsors, employees and club representatives, I ex…