BERLIN – One of two Germans to crack a multi-million-dollar jackpot had just lost his job when his company fell victim to the economic crisis, lottery organizers said Tuesday.

The winner, a 40-year-old bachelor, said he had been stunned to have been struck by such good and bad luck in such a short time as he savored his 17.5-million-euro (22.7-million-dollar) win.

"It look my breath away," he told Toto-Lotto Lower Saxony when he called to say he had the right numbers, the company said.

"Now I can take my time looking for a new position and don't have to just any odd job that presents itself."

The lottery firm said it would offer the winner, whose name was not released, advice on how best to spend and invest his windfall.

The jackpot reached 35 million euros last week -- the third biggest ever -- and attracted millions of punters including Finance Minister Peer Steinbrueck.

But the second holder of a lucky ticket, a resident of Bavaria, has yet to come forward to claim his winnings, Toto-Lotto said.