Sport 08-12-1999 England to Face Rivals Germany who: England football team what: Will play Germany in World Cup 2002 Qualifiers where: LIVERPOOL when: Yesterday snippet: "The world of football was alight with excitement last night as England geared up to meet mighty old rivals Germany yet again," reports The Sun. England has been drawn against Germany in the qualifying rounds of the 2002 World Cup. For the stats-obsessed, The Sun`s David Facey tells us that "England first met Germany in 1930, a game which ended 3-3. We have won nine, drawn five and lost eight". It`s the first time the two teams have come face-to-face in the qualifying rounds for any tournament, but Germany notoriously knocked out England on penalties in the semi-finals of Euro 96 and Italia 90. England coach Kevin Keegan commented: "Germany have won the World Cup three times so it`s tough. But I believe we can beat them." And in today`s Times, Simon Barnes says it is reason to be cheerful. "It is going to be difficult, but it certainly won`t be dull," he says. "And if you have sporting blood in your veins, you will be savouring the expectation of this crispy morsel, this esculent slice of sporting life, this perfectly baked footballing dish." [... more]

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