ENGLAND v GERMANY: Old v Young?

 ENGLAND AND GERMANY-again

My son has just phoned from Wembley. After a very good education, impressive A levels, a sound degree (in Geography I might add) and plenty of work experience, as well as full support, mentally, physically and financially from his famly, he's ended up in Sports' Marketing, a job that gets him tickets for first class hospitality at major events, mainly football, where he has to earn a living being nice to people. Where did it all go so wrong?!! I hope he gets me a programme from Wembley.

The rivalry between these two big footballing nations, began as late in football history as the 10th May 1930, with a friendly international in Berlin, which ended up 3-3...diplomacy? The next meeting was in 1935 at White Hart Lane, with a 3-0 win for England with 2 goals from George Camsell and one from Cliff Bastin.This was played at White Hart Lane and 55,000 were in the crowd. In 1956 England won away 1-3, once again in Berlin. The goalscorers that day were Duncan Edwards, Colin Grainger and Johnny Haynes....Edwards, of course, lost his life in the Munich, Man Utd air crash. 

In May 1965, v West Germany, England won  0-1 in Nurenberg and the team was: Gordon Banks, Jack Charlton, George Cohen, Bobby Moore, Keith Newton,  Ray Wilson, Alan Ball, Ron Flowers, Derek Temple, Mick Jones, Terry Paine, George Eastham. The 6 1966 World Cup winners are underlined!

England beat Germany 1-0 away in February 1966, the team? Banks, J Charlton, Cohen, Norman Hunter, Bobby Moore, Keith Newton, RayWilson, Alan Ball, Bobby Charlton, Nobby Stiles, in a friendly and of course, they met months later 30th July, at Wembley in the World Cup Final, the result we all know. 8 WC finalists are underlined.

Overall England has won 13 games, Germany 15 and draws are 4. 

The past three friendly meetings? 26/3/16: 2-3 to England, 22/3/17 1-0 to Germany. 10/11/17 0-0 draw

The pundits suggest that both teams will line up 3-4-3 and their "individual scores" given to each player mount up to 91 for each country!

The Germans will also take the knee, Jose is giving his thoughts on Talksport...always worth listening to and Harry Redknapp reckons England will win 2-0, Lee Westwood says 3-1 to England, Jamie Carragher an England win on pens, Frankie Dettori (what?) England 1-0. After last night's thrills I wonder if the two teams are going to conjure up such excitement?

Meanwhile Sweden play the Ukraine at Hampden Park at 8pm (predicted 2-0 to Sweden). This is the oldest England team selected by Gareth so far. The Germans make up the youngest yet.

Referee Danny Makkelie, a Dutchman, is at 38, regarded as one of the best young refs in UEFA. He is a part-time police officer. He refereed adult matches in his teens and went part time as a copper so he could do UEFA Champions league games. He was in charge of Southgate's England U21 opening match in the 2015 U21 Euros. Well, let's hope......