Northern Ireland v Germany, Thurs 5th October

Spectators at tonight’s game can expect to see some exceptional footballers in the German ranks and perhaps even some global superstars of the future. HERE COMES THE CRÈME DE LA CRÈME Words Nigel Tilson

for Northern Ireland in front of my parents. That meant a lot to me. I also made my debut as part of an experienced team and that was definitely an advantage,” he revealed. A year later - on 16 November 1983 - the winger was working his magic again when he had a hand in the winner in the reverse fixture. Early in the second half he fired in a shot which was parried by German keeper Harald Schumacher and Norman Whiteside was on hand to sweep in the loose ball, silencing a stadium packed with 61,500 spectators. Those German teams were full of world class players, too. They included midfield maestro Lothar Matthaus, defensive rock Uli Stielike, tricky winger Pierre Littbarski and top strikers Klaus Allofs, Rudi Voller and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge among others. He pointed out: “People forget that Germany played really well in both games. They had loads of brilliant players. I remember both games being ding-dong battles, and Pat Jennings pulling off some superb saves, and I also remember the Germans treating us really well in Hamburg. “The pitch in Hamburg was immaculate, but I remember the pitch at Windsor was boggy and the weather that night was shocking, and that suited us.” Stewart added: “Of course it was great for us to beat Germany. It was very exciting and the games were enjoyable. However, the big disappointment was that the Germans subsequently pipped us to a place at Euro 1984 on goal difference.” The former Northern Ireland star - he won 31 caps for his country - believes the players of today are technically better and more athletic than the players of his generation. However, he feels the close-knit nature of Billy Bingham’s squad back in the 1980s, when Northern Ireland reached two World Cup tournaments, is similar to the togetherness and strong bond that

Former Northern Ireland international Ian Stewart is full of admiration for the way Germany play the game and develop their players. He said: “The Deutscher Fussball-Bund (German FA) and the German team have a great ethos. I admire what the DFB does and the fact Germany are so consistent. And their league (Bundesliga) is strong as well. “Germany have world class players and I’m hoping our fans, especially younger fans, will enjoy seeing the crème de la crème in action. “They are world champions, after all, and they basically have two teams, the experienced side that won the last World Cup and the younger set who lifted the Confederations Cup back in the summer. “Personally I think it would be great to see up and coming German stars on the park.” Despite his admiration for the reigning world champions, the ex-QPR and Newcastle United wing wizard believes Northern Ireland have a chance against a team oozing class and quality. And Stewart knows what it’s like to play on a winning team against a German side. In fact he tasted victory twice against the then West Germany in the space of 12 months - in November 1982 and November 1983. The winger made his home international debut when he stepped out in front of 25,000 fans at Windsor Park on 17 November 1982 to face West Germany in a Euro 1984 qualifier. And it was a game to remember for Stewart as he scored the winner - and the only goal of the game - against the Germans, who were the reigning European champions at the time and had finished runners-up in the World Cup that summer. “Making my home debut was a proud moment. I had made my debut away against Austria so the Germany game was the first time I played

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