Heavyweights clash!

—Old foes England and Germany prepare to land the first knockout blow of the World Cup

BLOEMFONTEIN,  (Reuters) – Germany have got physical  problems while England’s are mainly in their heads as the two  old foes prepare to land the first heavyweight knockout blow in  the World Cup today.  

If past events are anything to go by, their fifth meeting in  the World Cup finals and their first since the then-West Germany  beat England on penalties in the 1990 semi-finals, is unlikely  to end in a straightforward victory for either side.  

Something unusual, memorable, dramatic or controversial is  almost bound to occur when they come face to face for their  second-round tie at the Free State Stadium (1400 GMT), because  when England play Germany, something always does.  

The past may not be in the least bit relevant when the match  kicks off but certain echoes from their previous tumultuous  encounters will resonate down through the years.  

Physically, the past has left no scars on the present, but  mentally, England’s players must overcome the inferiority  complex they seem to have when they play the Germans, or any  other major power, when it matters most.  

Since beating West Germany in the 1966 World Cup final the  only teams England have beaten in a World Cup knockout match  over the last 44 years have been Paraguay, Belgium, Cameroon,  Ecuador and Denmark, and they have never reached another World  Cup or European championship final either. 

By contrast, Germany have appeared in 11 major finals,  winning the World Cup twice (1974, 1990), been runners-up three  times (1982, 1986, 2002) and won three European titles and been  beaten in three finals.  

They have no fears about meeting other big teams while the  Three Lions on England’s badge seemed to turn into little timid  pussycats when faced with serious opposition. 
   
SERIOUS CONCERN  

England go into the match with no fresh injuries other than  the long-term one that has sidelined centre-back Ledley King but  Germany do have a serious concern over Bastian Schweinsteiger.  

The midfielder, described as “the heart” of the team by  coach Joachim Loew, “would only play if he is 100 percent fit,”  Loew added.  

The 25-year-old picked up a thigh muscle injury in their  final Group D match against Ghana while defender Jerome Boateng  was also doubtful following his calf muscle injury in the same  game.  

 Loew said 20-year-old midfielder Toni Kroos, who came on as  a substitute for Schweinsteiger late in the Ghana match, could  replace him from the start.  

Left back Holger Badstuber, who had started in Germany’s two  other group encounters against Australia and Serbia, is expected  to replace Boateng.  

England coach Fabio Capello might have no fresh injury  concerns but will be looking for a huge improvement over their  three group stage matches if they are to have any hope of  advancing to the last eight.