HAVING scraped through the group stages with Tuesday night’s 2-2 draw against Hungary, Germany now look ahead to a last-16 match against old foes England. But given the drama of qualification – and with the failed World Cup campaign three years ago still fresh in the memory – there are doubts in Germany about whether they can repeat the glory of Euro 96 at Wembley, where they beat England in the last four on penalties, before defeating the Czech Republic in the final.
That doubt is reflected in the German newspapers, although there is still hope that they once again knock England out. Bild said: “We are through but nobody knows why!
“German football has escaped another absolute embarrassment by a hair’s breadth! 2-2 against Hungary. As runners-up in the group, we qualify for the round of 16. Facing England on Tuesday. At Wembley. In our favourite stadium. A classic. But we have to get better. Much better. Otherwise, we will look old against the hitherto harmless English.” Leading sports magazine Kicker described the Hungary match as a “Roller-coaster ride with a happy ending.”
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