England News

• Nickname:Three Lions
• Founded: 1872
• Manager:Roy Hodgson

• Ground:Wembley Stadium
• Capacity:90000

James: It's just another game

25 Jun 2010 - 12:30:41

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Goalkeeper David James has described England's World Cup showdown with Germany on Sunday as 'just another match'.

James is expected to retain the number one jersey for the last 16 clash in Bloemfontein, as two of Europe's traditional footballing powerhouses go head-to-head for a place in the quarter-finals.

"It's another football match," said the Portsmouth keeper. "Obviously there'll be a lot of external references and whatever else, historical references.

"But for us it's a game against a decent outfit - one we have to win to progress."

Meanwhile, the veteran shot-stopper is hoping to avoid the lottery of penalty kicks unlike so many past meetings between the two nations.

England were dumped out of the 1990 World Cup at the semi-final stage after losing a penalty shootout to West Germany in Italy.

The result was repeated six years later at Euro 96 when the Three Lions lost a shootout to a unified Germany at Wembley.

"The intention for us is to win the game in 90 minutes," explained James.

"If it requires extra-time and then if it goes to penalties, there's an opportunity for Germany to miss so we're ready.

"Germany are a decent outfit, but we've got the confidence of having gone to Berlin a couple of years ago and beaten them 2-1."