Euphoria (Germany 1 England 5)
03/09/01 | by Alex Walker

In order that I could watch the match how it should be watched and take in a ‘few’ beers down the local, but at the same time stand some chance of remembering this landmark game, I set the video to record before I set off pubward. Aren’t I clever?

Due to my forward thinking, I am now able to give you a detailed report of the game. Not only that, but I have also saved the 15 quid that it would have cost me to buy the video of this incredible game (which is a good thing because the contents of my wallet now belong to the Black Lion of Radcliffe meaning I couldn’t afford a video if I wanted one).

First a bit of build-up to set the scene. England v Germany games are always special. You don’t need me to tell you that. You probably also don’t need me to tell you that this was must-win time for Sven’s men if they were to avoid the banana skin ridden path of the play-offs. And you are no doubt aware of Germany’s formidable record in World Cup games, especially at home. You are probably in-the-know about the German’s recent decline in fortunes and that the stage for this crucial game was the amazing Olympic Stadium in Munich - the scene for many great matches, not least Forest’s European Cup win in 1979. If you don’t know all this then which rock have you been hiding under this week?

The Germans playing in green kicked off, putting an end to all the waiting and anticipation. They fielded a fairly strong team in a 3-5-2 formation, where as England, in white, lined up in traditional 4-4-2 shape.

David Seaman got the nod in goal, and his defence was made up of Campbell, Ferdinand, Gary Neville and Ashley Cole. Gerrard, who hadn’t lost in an England shirt before this game, Scholes, Barmby and captain David Beckham were in midfield and Liverpool pair Heskey and Owen made up the front line.

As the game got underway in slightly wet conditions and an electric atmosphere, both sides took a while to figure the other out. Early exchanges were nervous and uncomfortable for both teams. The Germans got the early chances, winning a dangerous free-kick leading to a corner, but England were able to defend both.

But the defence seemed to have drifted off to sleep as Germany opened the scoring, bringing back memories of last year’s defeat at Wembley. With only 6 minutes on the clock, Germany worked the ball patiently from defence, before a high ball into the area was headed square by Neuville. He split the back-line apart, leaving a gaping space for Jancker to storm in and touch the ball past the advancing Seaman from 8 yards out.

England should have dealt with the threat better, and they didn’t seem to have learnt their lesson minutes later when Germany were denied the chance to increase their lead by a marginal off-side decision.

The game was nearly 10 minutes old and England were a goal down without a decent chance to their name. But when David Beckham’s low cross whizzed across the 6-yard box, Kahn in the German goal was forced to make an awkward save with his feet to deny Emile Heskey who was ready to pounce. It was a very risky moment for Kahn, and spoke of things to come.

And the German’s frailty was exposed further when England grabbed the equaliser on 13 minutes. Owen was needlessly pushed near the left-hand corner flag and David Beckham, showing no signs of the injury that dogged him all week, tossed a fast ball in towards the far post. The ball was cleared, but Gary Neville headed it straight back into the danger area. 3 England players stole in behind the off-side trap and Nick Barmby headed the ball to his right, leaving the keeper stranded and Owen with an open goal.

Owen wrapped his foot around the ball well, despite being off balance and under pressure and scored from 8 yards to continue his good club form.

This time it was the Germans who were left looking weak at the back, and England attempted to capitalise on their psychological advantage. Beckham came close with a low hit free-kick which skipped of the wet pitch and across the face of Kahn’s goal and evaded his right-hand post by inches.

This was shortly follow by a great chance and a rare fluff by Owen. Neville’s long throw-in found it’s way into the box where no German was willing to clear it. Owen caught the ball mid-charge but couldn’t make a decent contact.

Moments later England were denied what seemed like an obvious penalty when Emile Heskey was brought down, chasing a good cross from Beckham as he exploited the space on the right wing.

But it was Germany who missed the beat chance 20 minutes in. Neuville was again involved, putting a deadly ball in behind Campbell and Ferdinand but Deisler somehow managed to miss from 8 yards, scuffing the ball high and wide when he should have scored with ease.

Both teams were looking shakey in defence, but attack was going well for England who were utilising the long ball to Owen and Heskey to great effect and it seemed like this would eventually lead to a goal.

As the mistakes got more frequent, Kahn conceded a back-pass gifting England a free-kick in the penalty area which Beckham hit hard at goal, only to be blocked on the line.

Germany managed to escape the mounting pressure from England momentarily, winning an attacking free-kick and 4 subsequent corners but none of them proved fruitful. After that, the game started flowing in England’s favour again and the German’s looked unsettled. Kahn was again guilty of bad judgement when he was seen flapping aimlessly at a cross, leaving his goal totally vulnerable and only saved by winning a free-kick as he went down.

But despite England’s pressure, the home side nearly went in with a half-time lead were it not for a brilliant save by Seaman. Defender Boehme hit a powerful shot from the edge of the area which seemed destined for the bottom left hand corner of the goal. But the veteran keeper got down quickly on his right and pushed the goal around the posts.

This gave England the momentum again and deep into stoppage time Steven Gerrard scored his first goal in an England shirt. The team won a free-kick in similar position to that of their first goal, this time on the right side. Beckham’s first attempt was charged down, but when he put the ball back into the box with his left peg it was met by the head of Ferdinand. He knocked it back out to Gerrard who was waiting 30 yards away from goal. He took the ball on his chest, let it bounce once then drilled it directly into the bottom right corner of the German’s goal, leaving Kahn stranded.

England going in 2-1 up at half-time was a delight, and an unexpected one at that especially after the start the Germans had made. For an International game between two of the World’s greats, it was littered with mistakes. Both teams had looked good going forward, but their respective defences were all over the place, and it was only because England had made better use of their chances that they were in the lead.

But in the second half England looked totally different in this respect. The Germans came out determined to get back in the game and began pilling the pressure on England. But now England looked organised and secure at the back, and soaked up all that was thrown at them.

This led to a break in which Beckham got in behind the German defence. As England came forward, he crossed the ball into the area and found Emile Heskey. Again, the ball was headed square and again Owen was there to provide the finish. From 10 yards out he hit the ball on the volley, keeping his balance brilliantly and directing it inside the near post from 10 yards out. Kahn was able to get a hand to it, but the ball got past him and England were 3-1 ahead.

Germany continued to put pressure on England after that, but Sven’s men defended with resolve. England, comfortable in their lead were happy so sit back and let the game come to them. With the spirit of the German side gone, they never looked like breaking down the England lines and the game seemed won for England.

By the 67th minute it was won. Steven Gerrard won the ball in midfield and instantly turned the play the other way. He sent Owen towards the box with a brilliant pass which split the defence. Owen took a touch, bringing the ball into the area, then placed it past Kahn to complete his hat-trick. His shot was powerful and accurate, leaving the hapless keeper with no hope.

By now the enthusiasm had drained from the opposition and the supporters were getting on their backs. The game had been won for the visitors and they settled in to a secure pattern. Seaman was forced to make a save low down to cut out a good chance, but other than that it was one-way traffic.

Eventually England crowned the win with their 5th. Scholes played a one-two with Beckham, who put the ball forward with deadly accuracy. Scholes picked it up and played it to Heskey to his left. Heskey then held the ball away from his marker and placed it past Kahn along the ground into the left side of the goal.

After that it was just a matter of waiting for the final whistle and the celebrations to begin. The only other notable action saw debutante Owen Hargreaves, playing on his home ground, play Beckham in with a well judged lob, but Beckham was beaten to the ball by the keeper.

After the first half’s mistakes, England took total control of the second, while the Germans continued to look amateurish. It was a strong performance, but the Germans were undeniably poor. They squandered chances and gifted them to England. Still, this was a win over Germany and the baggage that goes with this game would have made victory tough for either team, no matter how each played. Not only that but it’s 3 vital points in the qualifying group and it has turned the goal difference in our favour, leaving the path to the World Cup wide open.

As a team England worked well. They kept their shape throughout, and once the nerves had been settled by Steven Gerrard’s key goal, they hardly broke out in a sweat. Only young Ashley Cole seemed effected by the occasion and this can be put down to his inexperience. Beckham was outstanding; he led by example and it is no coincidence that he was involved in all of England’s goals. Scholes was work-man-like in midfield and Owen is quite obviously a man in today’s game, despite his boyish looks.

This will go down in history as one of the greatest results ever. I don’t think it rates as one of the best performances, but as Forest’s European Cup win in the same stadium proves, it doesn’t matter if you play badly at times as long as you take the chances when they come. There were too many mistakes in this game, but that only made it even more entertaining. The first half was so enjoyable, even without the climax of England taking the lead. And now this ‘big’ game has been won, England are just two steps away from their goal.

However, the best thing about this win is the sheer delight it will have brought to so many English football fans. Life is good at the moment concerning England. Sven has turned Kegan’s failure in this campaign into a great success. Now we are in a position where not only can we qualify for the next World Cup, but we can also win it. Like Forest, the England team is in safe hands and the future will be worth waiting for.