Kurt Hofer

Kurt Hofer was a wizard and a professional Quidditch player who served as a Chaser for the German National Quidditch Team. He is mentioned for his formidable skill during the 1994 Quidditch World Cup, where he played alongside his fellow Chasers, Vogel and Schmidt. Although a minor character who is not seen directly, his reputation serves to build the context and high stakes of the Quidditch World Cup tournament.

Kurt Hofer's only known appearance in the history of the wizarding world is his participation in the 1994 Quidditch World Cup. As a Chaser for the German team, he was part of a highly effective offensive line that was praised by Ludo Bagman. Germany advanced to the semi-finals of the tournament, where they faced the Bulgarian National Quidditch Team. According to Ludo Bagman's commentary, the match was “very long and brutal.” Despite the skill of the German Chasers, Germany ultimately lost to Bulgaria, who then proceeded to the final to play against Ireland. Hofer's participation in this grueling match contributed to the exhaustion of the Bulgarian team, particularly their Seeker, Viktor Krum, ahead of the final.

There is no information in the novels regarding Kurt Hofer's physical appearance or personality traits.

• Quidditch: Hofer was a highly skilled Quidditch player, evidenced by his position as a Chaser on a national team competing at the World Cup level. He, along with Vogel and Schmidt, formed what Ludo Bagman described as a “formidable trio,” indicating exceptional teamwork and offensive prowess.
• General Magical Ability: As a professional Quidditch player in the international wizarding community, he was presumably a fully qualified and competent wizard.

• Broomstick: As a professional Quidditch player, Hofer would have owned a world-class racing broomstick, though its specific model is never mentioned.
• Wand: As a wizard, he would have owned a wand, but no details about it are known.

• Teammates: Hofer's most notable relationships were with his fellow German National Team Chasers, Vogel and Schmidt. Together, they were known for being a powerful unit on the pitch.
• Opponents: His known opponents include the members of the Bulgarian National Quidditch Team, against whom he played in a “brutal” semi-final match during the 1994 Quidditch World Cup.

• Kurt: A common German first name, a diminutive of Konrad. It is derived from Germanic elements meaning “brave” and “counsel,” which could allude to the strategic and courageous nature of a professional athlete.
• Hofer: A common German surname, meaning “steward” or “farmer,” derived from the word Hof, which means “courtyard,” “farm,” or “manor.” It suggests a person associated with a particular estate or holding.

Kurt Hofer is a book-only character, mentioned in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. The commentary from Ludo Bagman that references Hofer and the Germany vs. Bulgaria semi-final match was cut from the film adaptation, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (film).