GER: Christian Ziege (26), Andreas Moeller (32).

CZE: -.

GER: Koepke; Helmer, Sammer, Kohler (Babbel), Reuter; Eilts, Ziege, Haessler, MOELLER; Bobic (Strunz), Kuntz (Bierhoff).

CZE: Kouba; Hornak, Kadlec, Suchoparek, Latal; Bejbl, Freidek (Berger), Nemec, Nedved; Kuka, Poborsky (Drulak).

REFEREE: David Elleray (England).

AUDIENCE: 37.000, Old Trafford, Manchester.

YELLOW CARDS: Ziege, Kuntz, Moeller, Babbel, Reuter, Haessler (Germany); Bejbl, Nedved, Kadlec, Drulak (Czech Republic).

RED CARDS: NONE.

"The Group Of Death" started its games without a draw, the first and the only victory achieved in this European Championship by now, after 4 games. Germany defeated the strong squad of Czech Republic, 2:0, and fully showed its intentions - the Cup in the hands of Juergen Klinsmann, and nothing less. And for me, it was another bingo - I wrote 2:0 to Germany in the Internet prediction tournament.

The Germans, playing without Klinsmann (yellow cards) and having lost Mario Basler (an injury during the training session before the game), immediately suffered from another loss - Juergen Kohler, one of the best personal guards in the world by now, was injured after just 9 minutes of play in a collision with Pavel Kuka, and left the tournament for the operation he has to undertake now in Germany. The Czechs used this unexpected injury and, added to their mighty opening, it resulted in 2 nice opportunities, both missed.

However, the Germans knew how to concentrate, and after 20 minutes they already started dictating the pattern of play. Less than 15 minutes afterwards, the score of the game was changed and stayed so until the very end. First, Fredi Bobic sent Christian Ziege into a penetration (26); the latter passed 2 defenders and sent a flat ball to the right corner of Kouba from 18 meters. Then (32), it was the mirrored first goal, only this time with Stephan Kuntz starting and Andreas Moeller finishing. The keeper can see himself responsible for both goals - had he closed well his right corner, it would've ended otherwise.

After a break, Germany had two additional chances to score, wasted by Ziege and Haessler. The game was tough, and David Elleray showed 10 yellow cards, 6 to the Germans and 4 to the Czechs. The Czechs tried to change the situation and reinforced their attacking line, but Drulak (who is negotiating now, BTW, with Maccabee Haifa) wasn't dangerous. And so it ended.

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