Saturday 06-17, 2000  Alan Shearer headed England to its first championship victory over Germany since the 1966 World Cup final and put the defending titlist Germans in danger of going out in the first round of the European Championship on Saturday.

Shearer powered in a far post header from David Beckham's cross in the 53rd minute to revive England's chances of qualifying for the quarterfinals and spark celebrations not only in the stadium but by millions at home in England.

"People back home have waited so long -- so have I -- this is magnificent," coach Kevin Keegan said.

The result ended Germany's amazing domination over England in major championships the past 34 years. The Germans knocked the English out of the 1970 and 1990 World Cups and the 1996 Euros either in the quarters or the semis and twice after penalty shootouts. The Germans created plenty of shooting chances but couldn't get the ball past David Seaman in the England goal. Instead Michael Owen had a first half header pushed onto the post by German goalkeeper Oliver Kahn.

The victory gives England three points from two games, three behind Group A winner Portugal. The Germans, who tied with Romania, has only one and must beat the Portuguese to survive. Veteran defender Lothar Matthaeus, who almost quit after receiving pressure to step down at age 39, said the Germans paid the price for not making a breakthrough in the first half. "We could not force our way through in the second half," he said. "England capitalized on its chance, that is the difference. Now we have to do our utmost to make as much as possible of our limited chances to go through."

The game was played against a background of fan violence during the buildup and English fans also attacked the police on their way out of the stadium.

Some 500 English fans were detained and most of them deported for rioting in downtown Brussels and Charleroi on the eve of the game. Police also fired water cannons at English and German followers who began fighting in Charleroi's main square on Saturday afternoon. The Germans were forced to face the English without AC Milan striker Oliver Bierhoff, who suffered a calf muscle injury in training. Real Madrid's Steve McManaman and Arsenal captain Tony Adams were sidelined for England after they were injured in the 3-2 loss to Portugal.

Courtesy ek-voetbal.nl