Germany aim to spoil England party

Germany and England's showdown on Saturday at Wembley stadium has all the makings of being legendary: a repeat of 1966 World Cup final, the last match ever to be played at Wembley, - and a World Cup 2002 qualifier to boot.

England will be wearing their red shirts for first time against Germany at Wembley since the 1966 final while the Germans will be playing in white tops.

Germany, in their second World Cup 2000 qualifier - last month they beat Greece 2-0 - have some injuries to worry about, with midfielder Mehmet Scholl nursing a knee injury and striker Carsten Jancker hampered by a bruised toe.

The injuries could mean that Oliver Bierhoff will find a spot in the starting line-up as he returns to the scene of his greatest triumph. As a substitute at the 1996 European championships final against the Czech Republic at Wembley, he scored the 1-1 equalizer and then the extra-time 'golden goal' to give Germany the title.

Bierhoff now seems to have regained full fitness after a torn muscle at Euro 2000 and has already scored four goals in four matches for AC Milan this season.

''I know it is up to me to show that I can still produce top-class performances,'' he said. ''I am pleased that I have been able to turn up with the squad with something to show from Italy. I feel fit and the trainer can count on me.''

England manager Kevin Keegan said he will rely on Liverpool's Michael Owen and Manchester United's Andy Cole to lead England's attack in their first World Cup 2002 qualifier.

''Owen and Cole are the two best strikers in the country. They excite me,'' Keegan said. ''I do not see any reason why they can't be a fantastic combination. They have a lot of pace, that's for sure.''

But the battle between the arch-rivals is merely the marquee event ahead of this weekend's busy 22-match schedule of World Cup qualifiers throughout Europe.

Giovanni Trapattoni is still looking for his first win as Italian coach as the Azzurri hope to right themselves in Group 8 as they welcome group leaders Romania to Milan.

The Euro2000 runner-up, who drew 2-2 in their group opener with Hungary, have added two new players to their squad, young AC Milan midfielder Francesco Coco and Udinese captain Valerio Bertotto.

Romania are now getting their act together after the retirement of footballing legend Gheorghe Hagi, and have defeated Lithuania 1-0.

Spain return to Madrid to play Israel, surprise Group 7 leaders on goal difference, in the first national match in the Spanish capital since 1988.

The Spaniards have a loaded attack with Rual Gonzalez apparently over his muscle problems to play alongside Athletico Bilbao striker Ismael Urzaiz and Brazil-born Catanha of Celta Vigo on the bench.

Real captain Fernando Hierro has suffered from injuries but coach Jose Aantonio Camacho can line up the veteran defender in front of 19-year-old wonderboy keeper Iker Casillas.

Israel for their part know Spain are the favourites but just want to ''try to play our own game and impose our own style on the match'', as former Celta midfielder Haim Revivo said.

Yugoslavia's home encounter with Russia - a battle of Group 1 unbeatens - has been postponed indefinitely by the international football ruling body FIFA because of the political crisis following the Yugoslavian presidential elections.

Switzerland will host Faroe Islands in Group 1 while Slovenia travel to Luxembourg.

In Group 2, leaders Portugal will be missing three suspended starters - Xavier Abel, Paulo Bento and Nuno Gomes - from their Euro 2000 semi-final team when they host Ireland in Lisbon.

The Dutch, who came back to draw Iireland 2-2 last month in Amsterdam, look to right themselves against Cyprus before facing Portugal in Wednesday's top Group 2 battle.

Group 3 favourites Denmark and Czech Republic look to continue their strong play, travelling to Northern Ireland and hosting Iceland respectively. Bulgaria welcome Malta in the group's other encounter.

Sweden host Turkey on Saturday in a battle of Group 4 leaders, but the turks will be without top striker Hakan Sukur of Inter Milan.

Meanwhile Moldova host Slovakia and Azerbaijan travel to Macedonia.

Surprise group 5 leaders Poland host Belarus, who are also undefeated in the group, while Ukraine look to right themselves against Armenia and Norway travel to Wales.

Scotland travel to San Marino knowing a victory will keep them atop Group 6 after favourites Belgium and Croatia played a scoreless draw last month. Belgium are in Riga to play Latvia while Croatia enjoys the weekend off ahead of Wednesday's showdown with Scotland.

UNI