Germans admit World Cup robbery but can’t stop laughing

Gloating is too small a word to describe the sheen of self-satisfaction that coats Germany today.

The newspaper Bild, which informed readers on page one of its Saturday edition that all English words were banned for the day, reverted to the tongue of Shakespeare to declare: "Jungs (lads) – We Love You!"

It continued: "It was true England were robbed of a goal by the referee but we would have gone on to win anyway."

"Quits for Wembley," said the BZ tabloid in Berlin. "That goal in 1966 wasn't a real one but England went on to win. Not this time."

Absenteeism was expected to be high at factories and offices across the country as the parties celebrating victory lasted late into the night.
Brewers said beer sales leapt by seven per cent over the past few days.

Wayne Phillips, 32, an English carpenter working in Berlin, said: "It makes you feel ashamed."