England Shatters Germany

England’s Michael Owen tore Germany apart, scoring three goals in a memorable 5-1 victory in Munich on Saturday, but it was the Netherlands’ World Cup 2002 hopes that were left in tatters after a 1-0 loss to Ireland in Dublin.

On a day of surprises, four countries could have qualified for next year’s World Cup in Japan and South Korea, but only one did so.

Poland defeated visiting Norway, 3-0, in Chorzow to become the second European team to reach the finals, joining defending champion France in the 32-nation tournament May 31-June 30.

Italy, Russia and Germany also could have qualified had results gone their way.

The Italians needed only to defeat lowly Lithuania, but, astonishingly, the three-time world champions were held to a 0-0 tie in Kaunus, Lithuania.

The Russians also suffered an embarrassing setback, losing, 2-1, on the road to Slovenia, which won on a last-minute penalty kick.

Germany’s loss was the biggest surprise of the day, however, even greater than Chile’s 2-1 upset of world champion France in Santiago, Chile, in a friendly that marked the international retirement of veteran Chilean forward Ivan “Bam Bam”’ Zamorano.

England’s momentous victory was overshadowed by hooliganism before the game and by the heart attack suffered during the match by Kurt Voeller, the father of Germany’s coach, Rudi Voeller. He later was reported in stable condition at a Munich hospital.

The Germans had been favored to win. They had beaten England, 1-0, in London last fall and had won six of the last seven matches between the countries.

More to the point, they had lost only once in 60 previous World Cup qualifying games.

That streak seemed likely to continue when Carsten Jancker gave Germany a sixth-minute lead, but the Liverpool trio of Owen, Steven Gerrard and Emile Heskey then paced England to the runaway victory.

The Netherlands’ loss to Ireland on a Jason McAteer goal crushed Dutch World Cup hopes, especially with Portugal, which is in the same group, overwhelming Andorra, 7-1, behind four goals by Nuno Gomes.

Sweden, meanwhile, posted a 2-1 victory in Macedonia and can qualify by defeating Turkey Wednesday.

The Turks, seeking their first World Cup appearance since 1954, stayed on course by edging Slovakia, 1-0, on the road.

Spain rolled over Austria, 4-0, in Valencia, Spain, and can qualify Wednesday if it avoids defeat at Liechtenstein.