Stars of 1966 reunite
Stars of 1966 reunite
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Tuesday, 21, Mar 2006 05:10
England's World Cup winning squad of 1966 have reunited with their German counterparts for the first time in 40 years as part of a high-profile prelude to this summer's finals in Germany.
The commemorative event has been organised jointly by the Football Association and by the German embassy in London in an attempt to "strengthen the sporting bonds" between the two great footballing rivals.
Led by Uwe Seeler, captain of the 1966 German side, 11 of the German squad players have arrived in London to meet with seven members of the England team, which won the unforgettable final 4-2 in extra-time at Wembley, with Sir Geoff Hurst scoring a hat-trick.
Franz Beckenbauer, president of the 2006 Fifa World Cup organising committee and coach of the German national team from 1986 to 1990, is also in attendance, as is the Slovakian linesman from the final, Dr Karol Galba.
England team members attending include Alan Ball, Gordon Banks, Sir Bobby Charlton, Jack Charlton, George Cohen, Roger Hunt and Martin Peters.
The late England skipper Bobby Moore will be represented by his widow Stephanie.
A tour of the new Wembley Stadium, conducted by FA executive director David Davies, has been arranged, as has lunch with chancellor Gordon Brown and an evening reception at the German Embassy.
Mr Brown said of the occasion: "July 30th 1966 will rank as one of the greatest World Cup finals, and one of the great days in sporting history.
"It will be a privilege to welcome the stars of that famous day to Downing Street, and particularly to honour the memory of Bobby Moore with his wife Stephanie."
The chancellor added: "I hope the memory of 1966 will inspire the current England squad in Germany this summer, and I hope it inspires the whole country to get behind a bid to bring the World Cup tournament back to England in 2018."