HERR WE GO AGAIN
Curses! No end to shoot-out jinx as Germans SOCK it to England in Euro semi
AIDY BOOTHROYD claimed England did “everything” to smash their penalty jinx – only to crumble yet again.
Hero Germany keeper Julian Pollersbeck pulled notes on Three Lions penaltytakers out of his sock (right), to psych out his rivals.
He gave Germany victory by saving Nathan Redmond’s kick having also denied
Tammy Abraham. Boss Boothroyd (above) said: “We’re absolutely gutted, sick of losing on penalties after going so close. “With all the practice we have done, their keeper made two very good saves. We’ve done everything we can about penalties. “We learned lots of lessons from the past, and worked on penalties, but the fatigue, the energy expended and the fact that we fancied ourselves . . we are very disappointed.” Boothroyd revealed England “used an iPad” rather than a note in a sock to give Jordan Pickford clues, and the Everton keeper pulled off one save. The young Lions had a shoot-out rehearsal after a friendly against Iceland last month in an attempt to be ready but to no avail.
Germany dominated for much of the game and take on Spain – who beat Italy 3-1 last night – in Friday’s final.
Demarai Gray cancelled out Davie Selke’s opener for Germany and Abraham put England ahead.
But after Felix Platte levelled with a header, Germany were pressing for a winner and England were hanging on.
Asked about the Germany keeper’s sock crib sheet, Boothroyd added: “We had an iPad so I guess we won that battle, using technology. Jordan got really close to the last one. We did fancy ourselves after defending so well in extra-time.”