...as 1996 banter continues!

STEFAN KUNTZ was being urged to clamber on to the team bus, but first there was time for one more story. Today marks the 21st anniversary of the semi-final at Wembley when Germany knocked England out of Euro 96. Kuntz, now in charge of his country’s Under 21s, scored his side’s goal that night and also converted the fifth penalty that sent the shootout into sudden death. There were smiles as he looked ahead to another semi-final involving these nations. There was roaring laughter, however, as Kuntz chose to tell another tale about that night at Wembley. ‘You remember the song, Football’s Coming Home?’ he said. ‘They made a second version (for the 1998 World Cup). They changed the video and there were a lot of players in Germany shirts with my name on their backs. ‘My mum asked me why. I think it was one of the only situations that I lied to my mum! Of course I couldn’t tell her why! Our name has a different meaning in English! So I said, “Hey mum, that’s because I scored the goal!”’ He won’t talk about 1996 in the build-up to tomorrow’s semi-final in Tychy but he is hoping Gareth Southgate, whose miss from 12 yards decided that game, will be in the stadium. ‘I want to hug him because I think we shared the experience together,’ said Kuntz.