Germany vs England – Both sides snub pre-match press conferences

Both Germany and England management have come under fire from the world’s press after each side snubbed pre-match conferences.

The moves have been branded both ‘running scared’ and ‘arrogant’, but either way suggests that each side is trying every trick in the book to psychologically unsettle their opponents.

England have become wafer-thin favourites at 7/4 to win the match in 90 minutes, while Germany are 9/5. The draw in normal time is 15/8.

German boss Joachim Low failed to turn up at all for his team’s FIFA-scheduled question and answer session, and instead sent only goalkeeping coach Andrea Kopke.

Kopke was in net for Germany when England bowed out of Euro 96 on penalties, saving Gareth Southgate’s tame spot-kick. Germany are 8/1 to win on penalties again.

The German camp denied the press snub was a protest against being unable to train on the Free State Stadium pitch and instead claimed it was a scheduling difficulty.

But Kopke was conveniently on hand to give opinions on England’s penalty-taking practise and pointed out that doing so behind closed doors at Rustenburg would not help them in the potential pressure-cooker atmosphere of a tournament shoot-out.

England may feel the same and will be pushing for a winner should the match finish all square after 90 minutes. England are 10/1 to go through by winning in extra-time.

For England’s press conference, Fabio Capello and captain Steven Gerrard stayed for a little over five minutes and took questions from only hand-picked British TV journalists, despite more than 250 of the world’s hacks in attendance.

Among the sparse snippets of information they did give out was that Wayne Rooney’s form in training suggested he was ready to show the world his true talents. He is 11/2 favourite to get the first goal.

However, the Mail on Sunday today reported that the England striker is only 80 per cent fit and struggling with the pressure of being a nation’s talisman. He is 4/1 to receive a card before he does anything else in the match.

The paper also reports that Capello may change England’s first-choice penalty takers if they have played badly during the game. England are 9/1 to win on penalties.

Is Kopke’s appearance a timely reminder of England’s woeful penalty form? It’s 9/2 for the match to go to penalties. And which Wayne Rooney will we see? He’s 13/2 to set up a goal before he does anything else. See the full Germany v England match betting market.