Germany to take on England in Berlin
Friday, January 25, 2008
Article summary
Germany will meet England in a friendly international at the Olympiastadion on 19 November with home coach Joachim Löw anticipating a "great challenge".
Article body
The Football Associations of Germany and England have confirmed the two countries will meet in a friendly international at the Olympiastadion in Berlin on 19 November.
Belgium date
The fixture was announced as part of Germany's schedule for the second half of the year, with Joachim Löw's side returning to action after UEFA EURO 2008™ with a 20 August friendly against Belgium in Nuremberg. All proceeds from the match will go to a charity founded by former German Football Association (DFB) president Egidius Braun to help children in Mexico. The DFB also revealed the venues for Germany's 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, with trips to Liechtenstein and Finland in September preceding the home games against Russia in Dortmund on 11 October and Wales in Monchengladbach three days later. Germany's other home ties are all next year, against Liechtenstein in Leipzig on 28 March, Azerbaijan in Hannover on 9 September and Finland in Hamburg on 14 October.
'Special challenge'
Löw's side already have warm-up matches scheduled against Belarus and Serbia, for 27 and 31 May, ahead of UEFA EURO 2008™ where they will compete with Poland, Croatia and Austria in Group B. The coach, however, is also looking to the autumn and declared himself happy with both the World Cup fixtures and the friendly opponents, saying: "It is a good blend and we will get the opportunity, between now and the end of next year, to play in front of our supporters all over the country. The meeting with England will be a special challenge."
'Great match'
That sentiment is shared by new England manager Fabio Capello, poised to take charge for the first time in a friendly against UEFA EURO 2008™ co-hosts Switzerland on 6 February. "[Germany] should be a great match," said the Italian. "I'm delighted this fixture has been arranged – it should be a real challenge and something the players will look forward to." England will also play France in a friendly at the Stade de France on 26 March although, having missed out on this summer's tournament in Austria and Switzerland, no summer fixtures have been confirmed.
