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00:00No pressure then on the Czechs, the Germans without the suspended Klinsmann.
00:04Old Trafford is the venue and Ron Atkinson is sitting alongside commentator Peter Brackley.
00:12Decisions, decisions. The main dilemma facing Germany's coach Bertie Virks of course
00:16was which pairing to choose up front in the absence of the suspended Jürgen Klinsmann.
00:20He's opted for Frady Bobic as partner to Stefan Kuntz with Oliver Bierhoff left on the bench.
00:26Mario Basler is out with a damaged ankle and Stefan Freud banned.
00:30So Thomas Hessler and Andy Mohler both start in midfield along with Dieter Eilts as anchor.
00:35It looks a cautious side that the Czech Republic have flopped for.
00:39Pavel Kukur, one of five German-based players in the squad, is the only outright striker.
00:43They've even omitted their leading scorer from the qualifiers, Patrick Berger from Borussia Dortmund.
00:48Miroslav Katletz will be a key man in the sweeper role.
00:51And it could be a hectic afternoon for Peter Kober who's recovering from an elbow injury
00:55means there's no place for Newcastle goalkeeper Pavel Cernicek.
00:59A familiar name in charge today, it's David Ellery, one of the two English referees operating at Euro 96.
01:06It looks then a grey and rather overcast afternoon in Manchester.
01:16A big crowd assembled in this magnificent stadium as the match gets underway
01:20with the Germans defending the goal to our right.
01:24The favourites then to win the championship for the third time.
01:26So often in the past they've risen to the occasion and their morale is high.
01:30Perhaps unusually so for a German team going into a major tournament.
01:34They feel the mood is right, their preparations have been right.
01:37And there is a genuine belief running through the squad that they can't deliver.
01:44Jürgen Klinsmann then, unable to take part today.
01:47But he will be certainly back for the next match.
01:49To this very, very tough group for the Germans.
01:53Italy and Russia will also provide formidable opposition.
01:56A group of death they're calling it.
02:05Here's Hessler.
02:08Now IELTS.
02:09From Werner Bremen.
02:11Reuter.
02:12Two in the middle.
02:14Guntz at Bobic.
02:17Didn't really get hold of that then.
02:18Coburn.
02:20And he's got away with it.
02:22His left turn.
02:27Not by Babel.
02:28But Samer to tidy up for the Germans.
02:31Reads the game so well, Matthew Samer.
02:34There's a problem there for all the German players down.
02:39That's Kola.
02:44Tanking there with Kuka.
02:46Jürgen Kola.
02:48Who scored his first goal for the Germans last week in the 9-1 crashing of Lichtenstein.
02:54Jürgen Kola will be concerned here about a possible injury to his main defender.
02:58So Jürgen Kola having to receive some attention before he can continue.
03:0530 now Kola.
03:10Maybe not as quick as he used to be, but still an outstanding defender.
03:14And they can ill afford to lose him.
03:15But Kola, I think, is about to cut back on now.
03:22Well, the medical man's just called Bertie Vogts over.
03:25There's a great deal of concern there.
03:27I thought he was a question of him coming back on.
03:29In time, here's Kuka with a shot.
03:34Well, it's the closest we've come to a goal so far.
03:36And maybe German attention was wandering then.
03:41All eyes on the touchline to see if Kola was going to return.
03:43Well, it's that, of course.
03:44And it's...
03:45He rolls the defender very, very well there.
03:48And he's not that far wide with his shot.
03:50And I think Babel is going to come on now.
03:55And Kola will not resume.
03:59Marcus Babel.
04:03And indeed, that is the switch that's been made by Bertie Vogts.
04:08As Jürgen Kola somewhat ruefully makes his way to the dressing room.
04:13Babel is on.
04:16This is Merle.
04:18A player who's had his problems with injuries lately.
04:21And when he's in full stride, he's sub-performer.
04:26Super panicked.
04:27Keeping a tiny watch on Stefan Kurz.
04:31Looks a useful defender, this fellow.
04:33Yes, strong.
04:34Good marker.
04:35What has surprised me from the Germans' point of view
04:37is the fact that they've only looked at this stage
04:39to have come up on the right-hand side through Reuter.
04:41Now, here's the sweeper stepping in.
04:43Here's Sammer stepping in.
04:45And Sammer still going forward.
04:46He might fall for Bobbitts.
04:48Ritse back over.
04:49It goes Sammer.
04:51Some disarray there among the Czech defenders,
04:54but they've gone away with it.
04:56Bobbitts with the shot.
04:57A leading goal scorer in the German league last season.
05:00And he really let fly there.
05:01Yeah, that was an excellent save, by the way.
05:03But this is as a result of Sammer stepping into play.
05:06Helps the ball on.
05:08Bobbitts a fine volley over his shoulder.
05:09And a good save by Kuba.
05:12Well, Jürgen Klinsmann, the man he's replacing today, would have been proud of that one.
05:17Excellent strike by Bobbitts.
05:19Here's Hester then with the corner.
05:23And the header only just wide of goal, too.
05:26As Merle went in.
05:27So it's a good spell, this, for the Germans.
05:31Well, it certainly seems as if it's given them a lift.
05:34And I actually thought that was on target, but the defender had it well cleared.
05:37But that will give them a little bit of a lift.
05:41Big, fast curling ball.
05:44Bigger than the back stick.
05:45And a fine header.
05:48Here's Andrew Goky.
05:50The coach of the Czech Republic.
05:51He's had a fine job, too.
05:54Since taking over.
05:57After their failure as the old RCS to reach the last World Cup Finals.
06:04Here's Ziger.
06:05Making one of his first sorties down this left flank.
06:11Merle taking over from Halbot.
06:14Without reward.
06:16Andy Merle, who's come the closest then so far.
06:19One of their best chances anyway.
06:20That header that went just wide.
06:23This is Thomas Hester now.
06:24Another good strike.
06:27And the Germans, who begin to feel now,
06:30are taking the initiative.
06:31Yes, from a position where they made little or nothing happen in the last few minutes.
06:36They've had three very good attempts or near misses.
06:39This one stands up.
06:40Hessler, good right footy shot just wide of the post.
06:43Keeper, once again, I think had it covered.
06:47But they're beginning to make their influence tell now.
06:49Bobic, one for Ziger.
06:54This could be promising.
06:55Ziger shot.
06:56Terrific goal.
06:58Christian Ziger.
07:02Well, 30 minutes.
07:04That was only too well how dangerous he is on his left foot.
07:06He's not too bad for his right either.
07:08But the key to that was the link up.
07:11The link up there with Freddie Bobic.
07:13Watch how he lays.
07:14He's laid a ball into him.
07:15He's made a run off the ball.
07:17And like you say, on what he's considered his wrong foot,
07:20but it's right in the corner.
07:22Leaves Cooper no chance.
07:23But the link up play here between Bobic and Ziger was brilliant.
07:28I wonder will the Czechs show a bit more efficient now.
07:37Now that they've got a goal down.
07:40Here's Babel.
07:41I think it's fair to say they'll try and push a little bit,
07:43but they won't over stretch.
07:45I think they'll wait a little bit.
07:46And if the situation's still up, it's late in the game.
07:49Then they'll pop.
07:50They've got Patrick Berger, of course, who can come on.
07:53Good reading there of the game by Sadler.
07:55But he's down injured now.
07:56But away goes Moeller.
07:57Bobic to his right.
07:59Still Andy Moeller.
08:00May not need him.
08:01Good effort.
08:02A very good effort from Andreas Moeller.
08:13Oh, it was a fabulous run.
08:16And an exquisite finish too.
08:18Yeah, great strength.
08:18At first you thought he was just going to shape
08:20and lay a little ball out to the side there to Bobic.
08:23But no, he's taken out.
08:24He takes Cadillac inside.
08:25That's the second time Cadillac has been done.
08:28The sweeper for both goals.
08:29And that's once again tucked in virtually the same spot as Ziga's goal.
08:34Well, you feel they're lacking a bit of pace at the back.
08:37And that was certainly exposed there.
08:38Yeah, that's a strong positive run, isn't it?
08:41He's sensed he's got the beating of Cadillac there.
08:4725 goals now for Germany from Andreas Moeller.
08:50Such a dangerous player.
08:52Three in the qualified group.
08:53And he's off the market this tournament with an absolute stunner.
09:01Well, we were wondering, Rod, just how strong the Germans were going to be.
09:04I think we've had a fairly emphatic answer so far.
09:08Let's see what Poborski can do here, though.
09:10Kuka free in the middle if he can find him.
09:12Too long for Kuka.
09:13It's over the top.
09:16My debut.
09:19It's a bit of chance as they've had so far.
09:21Yeah, but I think Poborski's take the wrong option here.
09:23I think he should have played Kuka in.
09:25It's a simple ball, really, to Kuka.
09:27Nobody's picked him up.
09:28He delayed it a little bit.
09:29So, an excellent first half for the Euro 96 favourites.
09:48They've played really well once they've established control of the Germans.
09:51Goals from Ziga and then from Moeller.
09:53Both of them brilliant strikes, too.
09:55who have given them the reward their football has certainly deserved.
09:59Half-time at Old Trafford.
10:01It's Germany 2, the Czech Republic 0.
10:15Welcome back to Old Trafford, then, as the Germans start the second half.
10:19Now attacking from left to right.
10:21Very impressive in the first 45 minutes.
10:23And not surprisingly, the Czech Republic have made a couple of changes for this second period.
10:29Bringing on Berger and Drulak, having to step up their firepower.
10:34Friedek and Poborski are the two who've got off.
10:37Here's Ziga.
10:38A foul by him on Cadlitz.
10:50There was certainly some surprise that Berger and Drulak here weren't in the starting line-up.
10:55Drulak, who had such a tremendous season in the Czech League.
11:01And Berger, who was their main goalscorer then from the qualifying games.
11:05And a very highly rated young man from Policia Dortmund, Patrick Berger.
11:09Well, they have their opportunity now in the second half.
11:16Header away that by IELTS.
11:18He's had a good, steady first half in a rather unglamorous role.
11:22IELTS.
11:28Let the EDA lock side him.
11:31Lattel.
11:32Now Babel.
11:34They've certainly got to show far more adventure and enterprise in the second half.
11:39They're there to threaten the Germans.
11:40And I think, Ron, it's going to be very hard work for them.
11:47Yes, but at least it's a positive step in theory anyway,
11:51because all they were doing was waiting for a hammering.
11:54The way they were playing before.
11:55They set that with a policy of containment, which hasn't worked.
11:59Here's Berger.
12:02Well, that would have been quite an entrance for him.
12:04He's got a terrific left foot, this fellow.
12:06And straight away, he made his presence fill.
12:09I mean, that was an excellent run from midfielders.
12:12He's made an excellent run.
12:13The ball's linked him up well.
12:15And he's very unlucky.
12:16I mean, that's an instinctive shot and a good shot.
12:18I'm well aware of where the target was.
12:22And that would be encouraging,
12:23because that's the sort of thing they haven't shown,
12:25or they showed on very few occasions in the first half.
12:27That sort of positive play.
12:36Berger at the effect there.
12:39Berger.
12:41Nobic, who's been attracting interest from these shores.
12:45And he's united indeed.
12:46We gather about those giving a very watchful eye on him.
12:55Berger's free kick.
12:56It goes Helmer!
12:57He'd escaped the marking then
13:02And it would have been a spectacular finish
13:05From Thomas Helbert
13:06Would have been a fabulous goal this
13:10Because this ball is really whipped in
13:12And he's making on the ground
13:13He couldn't have seen it till late
13:15He must have thought that Babel
13:18Was going to maybe get the header
13:19And look at it
13:19It's a fast bender
13:20It's travelling
13:21Going away from him
13:23And he's flung himself
13:24And that would have been a spectacular goal
13:26Brave as well
13:27Because he's got to compete
13:28He's confronted by the goalkeeper
13:30So for the moment
13:33The Germans are reduced to 10-man
13:35While Helbert receives attention
13:38There's what's going in
13:42It's very sharp around the 18-yard box
13:45Stefan Kuhlitz
13:45And he and Bobic will be so well aware
13:50That one of them will have to stand down
13:52When Glinsman comes back
13:54It's been a bit of a problem for the Germans
13:57Finding the right partner for Glinsman
13:58Bertie Berks has constantly shuffled things around
14:01It was Bierhoff
14:04The man left out today
14:05Hesler with a corner kick
14:08There's a free header clear off the line
14:10Ziga
14:14Again the market was very sloppy from the Czech Republic
14:22And they were so lucky to escape there
14:25Tick to the foul by Babel
14:38He thought he was being impeded
14:40by the persistent center of Drulac. Three goals at the qualifiers, Drulac.
14:47He's more or less a replacement up front for Skouravi. He was featuring at the
14:53moment because of injury mainly, but he's been out of favor as well. The enigmatic
14:57figure Thomas Skouravi, there's the header, well saved too, as Horniak came in.
15:05Gropka was in the right place there. Horniak's header, well, he was the save he would expect to make.
15:17That certainly will give revived hope to the Czech Republic. Struts now for Germany.
15:22Elegantly through to Hessler, offside, maybe hit, maybe Kutz. There's some excellent
15:28movement on this free kick, there's some good movement that leaves Horniak
15:31completely unmarked, can't get, you know, quite enough on the ball. Comfortable
15:36save at the end, but some good movement and a good delivery.
15:44Nevia, cleverly away that from Stuarts, and he was always working back at him. Now
15:51Mohler. Helmer. Another surge upfield by him, here's Mohler. Might get through here.
16:03That was the reflexes there of Peter Kuber that came to the rescue.
16:07Here he's sharp. That's brilliant goalkeeping. Right in sight of break.
16:12Here's Mohler there. Pigs trust has just been run around him and he's out. Grave fast, quick reaction.
16:18Excellent goalkeeping. Well, he made sure there that Mohler had so
16:23little to Abad. Corner kick then to Germany.
16:27Gelmer and Zegar both up.
16:31Shot fired through by Struts.
16:35But nearer the corner flank than the goal.
16:38So what about the Czechs then, Rob? Do you see any future for them now in this tournament?
16:45I think they've made it very hard for themselves. For me, they haven't needed a fire in the belly.
16:49They've played. They've been a nice side without really, you know, they don't look as if they could get angry enough.
16:58Whereas the Germans have been great technically or excellent technically, but they've also had that desire, that will to winning if you like.
17:05Sellar. Options ahead of him. One of them was Bohler.
17:10And Hesler joining in here. Great bit of skill that by Hesler.
17:14Get to it and play too.
17:15Side netting.
17:17It's so much to have by that from Thomas Hesler.
17:21I mean, his team worked well, but they've got great individuals too.
17:24Oh, right. But they all fit in well in the team pattern and, as you say, I mean...
17:29He has done well to keep that in here. He's been a little bit selfish at the death, right? But he's entitled to me.
17:36He's got a very convincing look of it on the German team. Here's Ziga.
17:46We've got that all-important breakthrough goal.
17:50Silziga. Now Hesler.
17:53Bierhoff making a run in the centre. It's open up some rope here for Struats.
17:57Didn't quite get hold of it. That was a great finale.
18:01Well, the much fancy German side are off to a winning start.
18:07Favourites in the eyes of many observers.
18:10They've opened with a comprehensive win here against the Czech Republic
18:14to underline the strength of their challenge.
18:17Ziga with the first goal, Berla the second.
18:19And is this an over 0-1 or 2?
18:21The last time a German side won their opening fixture in the European finals
18:24was against the old Czech side back in 1980.
18:27And, of course, Germany, West Germany as they were then, went on to win the tournament.
18:32The favourites are out of the blocks.
18:34Their Euro 96 Challenge underway, up and running.
18:37Winners at Old Trafford by two goals to nil.