Germans praise miracle worker

Germans yesterday greeted the news that they were to host the 2006 World Cup with astonished delight. They had expected the decision to go to the favourites, South Africa, and the outcome reinforced the "miracle worker" reputation attached to Franz Beckenbauer, the former national player and coach who led the German bid.

Beckenbauer said the outcome "should be seen as greater than that of [Germany's] World Cup victories in 1974 and 1990." The tournament will be staged at a psychologically important moment for a country which is once again starting to assert its strength. The final is expected to be played in the new capital of Berlin and by 2006 work on transforming the city will have been largely finished.

Beckenbauer had argued that the fact that West Germany had hosted the 1974 World Cup was irrelevant because of its subsequent reunification with the former East Germany. After a woeful Euro 2000, the main task now is for Germany to build a side that can get into the final stages of the competition.

South Africa's furious campaign team accused FIFA of favouritism and ignorance last night.

South Africa believe FIFA have thrown away the opportunity to make football a truly global game, with the African continent now having to wait until 2010 if they are to stage the world's greatest sporting event for the first time.

Dejected campaign leader Danny Jordaan said: "The World Cup would have made a major impact to our country, our continent and our lives." Former Manchester United goalkeeper Gary Bailey, another member of the South African team, was also critical of FIFA. "They (FIFA) knew how much it meant to South Africa and Africa. Morally ours was the right choice."

How They Voted. . .

First Round - Morocco eliminated.

Germany: 10 - Sweden, Italy, Belgium, Norway, Spain, Malta, Turkey, S Korea, Qatar, Thailand. South Africa: 6 - Sepp Blatter FIFA president, Cameroon, Botswana, Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay. England: 5 - Scotland, New Zealand, Costa Rica, US, Trinidad & Tobago. Morocco: 3 - Mali, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia.

Second Round - England eliminated.

Germany: 11 - Sweden, Italy, Belgium, Norway, Spain, Malta, Turkey, S Korea, Qatar, Thailand, Saudi Arabia. South Africa: 11 - Sepp Blatter, Cameroon, Botswana, Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Costa Rica, US, Trinidad & Tobago, Mali, Tunisia. England: 2 - Scotland, New Zealand.

Third Round - Germany win.

Germany: 12 - Sweden, Italy, Belgium, Norway, Spain, Malta, Turkey, S Korea, Qatar, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, Scotland. South Africa: 11 - Sepp Blatter, Cameroon, Botswana, Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Costa Rica, US, Trinidad & Tobago, Mali, Tunisia. Abstention: 1 - New Zealand.

Source: PA.