So, are the Germans going to pull this one from the flames?

OLIVER KAHN admits nerves are getting to the German team as they prepare for tonight’s crunch World Cup play-off, writes Vikki Orvice.

Germany face the Ukraine in Dortmund after drawing the first leg 1-1. Defeat would mean the triple world champions failing to qualify for the first time.

Skipper and goalkeeper Kahn admitted: “It’s all or nothing now. We have every reason to be nervous. The first leg was only a skirmish compared to what’s ahead.”

The Bayern Munich shot-stopper added: “We have built a solid psychological basis but we have only taken a small step towards the World Cup.”

Coach Rudi Voller has hinted he will step down if Germany do not reach the finals in Japan and Korea. He said: “If we don’t qualify, the mortgage on the trainer would be too high.”

-- Anonymous, November 13, 2001

Answers

I'd laugh my socks off if they failed to qualify but in a funny way it wouldn't be the same without them.

I'm actually more worried for Brazil.

-- Anonymous, November 14, 2001

Brazil have to beat Venezuela tonight in order to qualify. Don't worry about them not making it, I can see some sort of "incentive" being made to the Venezuela football team, just for insurance.

-- Anonymous, November 14, 2001

I watched the first game in a bar full of Germans on Saturday night and had to leave for my own safety.........A rousing chorus of funf - eins didn't go down well. Bliddy Germans, no sense of humour.

-- Anonymous, November 14, 2001

I think it'll depend on the approach the Ukraine adopt. I'm not familiar with their usual style but they have one or two tasty strikers, so if I was the coach, I'd have them going all out attack. I think if they take a cautious approach and try to soak up German pressure, hoping for the odd break or two, they'll probably blow it.

I'd like to see the Ukraine win it though, and if they do, I don't think Voller will get the chance to step down, he'll be tripped on the top stair.

-- Anonymous, November 14, 2001

Channel 5 showing the Germany - Ukraine game tonight, 7:30 ish.

-- Anonymous, November 14, 2001

If they do miss out tonight, will there be a queue of people ready to gob in his hair?

-- Anonymous, November 14, 2001

Ukraine have scored in all but one away qualifying game, Schevchenko has scored 7 of his 9 goals in qualifying away from home, Germany couldn't beat Finland at home and also lost 5-1 to the team who could well have been playing in their place.

Ukraine can be backed at 11/2 to win in Germany (Ladbrokes). That is a value for money bet.

-- Anonymous, November 14, 2001

E X C I T I N G

-- Anonymous, November 14, 2001

i_wouldn't_bother_betting_it's_germany_winning_3-0_after_15_minutes

-- Anonymous, November 14, 2001

Still 3-0 at half time. Ukraine look clueless.

-- Anonymous, November 14, 2001

4-0 last time I checked the ticker thingy...

-- Anonymous, November 14, 2001

Watching the Ukraine's unbelievably poor performance last night, I couldn't escape wondering whether 'the bung' was firmly in place.

Anyone else think so?

-- Anonymous, November 15, 2001

It did cross my mind, but I then thought that going 3 nil down so early wasn't very subtle...

-- Anonymous, November 15, 2001

To be Terry Wogan on Eurovision for a second, didn't the Ukraine collaborate with the Nazis? Just a xenophobic thought :-)

-- Anonymous, November 15, 2001

Watched about ten minutes of it durng the second half and Ukraine had some good runs mostly coming from one midfielder. Didn't know who it was but went past a couple of Germans like hey weren't there and seemed to have the right idea. Shame about the rest of the team.

-- Anonymous, November 15, 2001

FIFA seem intent on dragging the whole WC into disrepute. The fact that they had the 'draw' for the playoffs held behind closed doors suggests that they have rigged it so that all the big (as in TV audience size) teams qualify. Ukraine were never supposed to put up a fight. Ingerland could have lost 5-1 in Germany and would still have coasted through. See also Brazil.

-- Anonymous, November 15, 2001

Couldn't do much for Angola though, eh? Sounds like one for Question of Sport.

-- Anonymous, November 15, 2001

Voller has resigned after their outstanding qualification campaign. As for the Angolans, I presume there must be replay??? Quelle farce.

-- Anonymous, November 15, 2001