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It's just a game

The Germany v. England match

In his TV commentary BBC's John Motson said: 'It's a night to be able to say "I was there", or, at least, "I was watching".' Well, I was there in the Olympiastadion MŸnchen when the England football team beat Germany 5-1 in a World Cup qualifier.

My family and I were on holiday visiting German in-laws, and, very kindly, as a birthday present to me, the men of the family had bought tickets for the big match. This meant that I would be standing among the German fans for the game, and I was not quite sure how I was going to handle that-whichever way the score went. Should I keep quiet and look glum while everyone else around me celebrated if the German team scored? Should I jump up and throw my hands in the air if England scored? Would I be inviting trouble from those around me if I did? I think my church back home were praying for me!

In the event I was actually greatly heartened by the good spirit of respect and happy banter that went on among most of the German and English supporters. As we went in to the match from the suburbs on the train it was great to see young lads wearing their soccer shirts, and the older fans from both countries cheerfully joking with one another.

Here we go... again?

We were behind one of the goals and I have to say that when Carsten Jancker opened the scoring for Germany right in front of us my heart sank and I thought: 'Oh no! Here we go again!'

But then England hit back with Michael Owen's first goal, and my relatives turned to me and graciously said, 'Happy birthday!' When England went 3-1 up just after half-time I did turn to my brother-in-law and asked him to pinch me to make sure that I was not dreaming. By the end those I was with said that they would take me to a football match again in Germany - but not on my birthday! It was all good fun.

Reality bites

Soon after the match it became known that the father of the German coach, Rudi Voller, had suffered a heart attack at half-time and had been rushed to hospital, where thankfully he had been stabilised. I think that put things in perspective for a lot of people leaving the stadium including me. Football's fun. It's enjoyable. It gives a little spring in the step especially as on the following Wednesday England beat Albania and now top their World Cup qualifying group.

But football is not a matter of life and death. It's just a game.

Phil Newcombe