The Legend of Football

England 1 Germany 5
Published: Thursday, 7 August 2008, 9:37PM

A hat-trick from former Bolton striker Fredi Bobic, a stunning drive from Mario Basler and a late strike from Maurizio Gaudino were enough to hand Germany the Derek Dooley Memorial Trophy at Bramall Lane.

Lee Sharpe hit back for England with a well-taken penalty late on, but the quicker and younger Germans never looked troubled.

Former Newcastle midfielder Rob Lee had the first chance of the game on nine minutes when Paul Merson’s exquisite reverse pass put him through, but his chip was tipped on the bar.

And the miss proved costly as just three minutes later Germany took the lead after a howler from keeper Chris Woods. Basler’s deep cross found former Bolton forward Bobic in space but his weak downward header looked easy for Woods until it squirmed under him.

And just a minute later it was two as this time Woods had no chance after Basler unleashed a memorable strike from almost thirty yards out.

Ray Parlour had a couple of chances to halve the deficit but his shot on 17 minutes hit the wrong side of the post, while he may want to forget his effort just before the break as his attempted shot with the outside of his right foot almost hit the corner flag.

Woods made amends for his earlier error on 40 minutes when he got down well to a Guido Buchwald shot but the Germans went in at half-time looking comfortable.

It was midfielder Lee who again sparked England into life in the second period, but after nicking the ball of Carsten Ramelow he again hit the post.

Germany were soon in charge again and after Woods denied them with a double save, Bobic claimed his second on 69 minutes with a powerful header from a corner.

Sharpe gave England hope with a penalty on 73 minutes after Lee had been brought down but with 10 minutes to go Gaudino opened up a three-goal cushion again when his shot deflected off Des Walker, before Bobic bundled the ball over the line to complete his hat-trick.