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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Andy Lines

Gareth Southgate to come face-to-face with Germany keeper who saved Euro 1996 penalty

Gareth Southgate will come face to face with the goalkeeper who saved his penalty in Euro 96 at Wembley on Tuesday.

Andreas Kopke broke English hearts in the shoot-out at the end of the semi-final with his block.

Now German goalkeeper coach Kopke, 59, said "I think it's a very nice story that Gareth Southgate is now having such a great coaching career. And I'm really looking forward to seeing him again at Wembley."

He recalled the game.

He said: "Of course we were prepared for a possible penalty shoot-out and I analysed the potential English shooters in advance with the goalkeeper coach at the time, Sepp Maier.

England player Gareth Southgate has his penalty saved by Germany goalkeeper Andreas Kopke (Hulton Archive)

“When the time comes and the match goes to a penalty shoot-out, you are aware of your key role and responsibility as a goalkeeper.

“That's why I was highly concentrated and like in a 'tunnel'.

"England's first five penalties were super shots, then Southgate's sixth was the first unplaced one and I was able to save it.

“Then Andy Möller converted the decisive penalty and the jubilation and relief were indescribable."

He added: "Wembley Stadium is a legendary myth, for footballers this stadium is a special place.

“To have played and triumphed there is definitely the experience for me in my playing career that stands out among many other great moments.

"For me, the atmosphere of the semi-final is a bit better than that of the final.

"So many great football matches have been played there, so many special things have happened - if you are a footballer, it is bound to happen that you internalise Wembley Stadium as a special place.

"I don't think the myth died with the new stadium. It may have changed a little, but the legendary myth of Wembley will always exist."

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