Monday, June 29, 2009

Live text - Euro U21 Championship final

GOALFLASHES AND MAJOR INCIDENTS (all times BST)

606: DEBATE

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By Jonathan Stevenson

1946: Early warning shot for the Germans as James Milner whips in a free-kick to the far post and Martin Cranie, leaning back, nods over at the far post. The Germany coach said he didn't think set plays would be that important tonight, but we'll see about that.

1945: We're under way in Sweden's third biggest city. You learn something every day.

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From El™ Nino on 606: "I'm struggling to think of the last time a West Ham player captained his country to a final, Stevo, got any ideas?"
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No idea, fella, none at all. Should I throw it open?

1942: They're not two classic anthems by any means, but how can that not get you going? It's England v Germany, and it's about to get under way. I'm buzzing, and there isn't a vuvuzela in sight.

1939: To some fairly ropey Euro rock, the two teams emerge from the tunnel at the New Stadium in Malmo. It's anthem time, so say it loud and sing it proud...

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From Marc in Tooting, via text on 81111: "Sorry, Capello knew on Friday he would need to be in Sweden but he opted to stay in S Africa to watch a game he could've seen on TV. Poor show Fab, our boys deserve better."
They'll make him wish he was there. Come on England

1935: Our Psycho isn't the only coach with previous tonight. German gaffer Horst Hrubesch, a powerful centre-forward in his day, suffered defeat in the 1980 European Cup final as his Hamburg side went down 1-0 to unfashionable English club Nottingham Forest. Imagine? He made up for it only 25 days later, though, bagging a brace as Germany beat Belgium in the European Championship final in Rome.

1933: Them Germans, they love mind games don't they? Horst Hrubesch's team, given first pick as the designated "home team", have chosen to wear their red away strip, presumably so England don't get a 1966 World Cup final buzz. The crafty so-and-so's...

1930: After correctly predicting the Confed Cup final yesterday (I'm not even kidding), only a fool would expect lightning to strike twice. But here goes anyway...
Stevo's Predo: Germany U21 1-2 England U21 (aet)

England U21 coach Stuart Pearce: "Scott and Joe Lewis was my toughest decision, no doubt about it. The first thing Joe did was congratulate Scotty, which is exactly what I'd expect from him. I've had a text from John Terry and David Beckham and Ashley Cole have also contacted me today to pass on my best to the boys. It means a lot to everyone."

1927: Big night for Scott Loach as he is picked in goal for England in the absence of the suspended Joe Hart. But none of the players will be able to impress Fabio Capello - the Italian could not get a connecting flight in time from South Africa, where he was watching the Confederations Cup.

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From The Goalscoring Backside on 606: "There's only one person I'd rather have leading me into battle than Stuart Pearce tonight and that's Sir Winston Churchill. And as that isn't possible, that makes Stuart Pearce the only man suitable for the job."
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1921: Nick from Taunton, Demetri and Tom from the Midlands are pumped and primed - they're all texting in wishing Psycho's boys good luck. Remember, 81111 is the magic number. Come on England.

1919: But it's not about revenge, it's about exactly what Stuart Pearce has mentioned a million times over the past couple of years - laying foundations for the future success of the England senior side. "The message for the last two years has been that we have come here to win the trophy," said Pearce. "If we don't, no-one will talk about this tournament being a success and they shouldn't."

1915: This is what Stuart Pearce did say at his news conference with Germany coach Horst Hrubesch: "What's gone before is irrelevant. The only history we want to create is on Monday." He won't admit it, but Italia '90 and Euro '96 will be floating around somewhere in Pearce's thoughts right now. I know they are in mine.

1912: Excuse me? There's other sport going on? Right now? Oh for goodness sake. OK, pop along then - but we kick-off at 1945 BST, so I'll expect you back in plenty of time. It'll be your last football for a while...
Live - Murray v Wawrinka

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1910: I shouldn't even need to tell you this on such a big occasion, but please grace us with your involvement. It really is what Stuart Pearce would want you to do, and we should definitely always do what Stuart Pearce wants us to do. Texts to 81111, comment away on 606.
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1906: Germany U21s v England U21s line-ups:
Germany U21: Neuer, Beck, Howedes, Boateng, Boenisch, Hummels, Johnson, Castro, Khedira, Ozil, Wagner.
Subs: Fromlowitz, Aogo, Ebert, Marin, Schwaab, Grote, Adlung, Ben-Hatira, Schmelzer, Ede, Sippel.
England U21: Loach, Cranie, Richards, Onuoha, Gibbs, Cattermole, Muamba, Noble, Milner, Walcott, Johnson.
Subs: Lewis, Taylor, Stearman, Gardner, Rodwell, Tomkins, Mancienne, Driver, Rose.
Referee: Bjorn Kuipers (Holland).

1904: A very, very warm welcome to our coverage of the European Under-21 Championship final, as this continent's fiercest footballing foes go head-to-head in Malmo's New Stadium. Can England win their first tournament at any age group since 1993? Or will the curse of the Germans strike once again?

1900: Stuart Pearce might say history has got nothing to do with it, but I'm not sure who he's trying to convince. It's England v Germany, and Psycho knows better than anyone exactly what that means.

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