Oliver Bierhoff

If Germany wins the toss tonight and elects to kick off against the United States, the two men in the center circle will be Jurgen Klinsmann and Oliver Bierhoff. Either Klinsmann will tap the ball to Bierhoff or Bierhoff will tap the ball to Klinsmann. Either way, the United States will be in for a long night.

If Germany wins the toss tonight and elects to kick off against the United States, the two men in the center circle will be Jurgen Klinsmann and Oliver Bierhoff. Either Klinsmann will tap the ball to Bierhoff or Bierhoff will tap the ball to Klinsmann. Either way, the United States will be in for a long night.

Italy moved closer to a quarterfinal berth in the European Championship by defeating co-host Belgium, 2-0, Wednesday behind goals from Francesco Totti and Stefano Fiore. Totti's header put Italy in front after only six minutes and, after goalkeeper Francesco Toldo made a string of saves to deny the Belgians, Fiore hit a 20-yard strike in the 66th minute. "That was a great boost for our morale," Italy Coach Dino Zoff said. "But we have to watch out.

SITE: Lyon TIME: noon TV: Chs. 7, 34. * ABOUT GERMANY: Uncomplicated victories over the United States and Iran have been paired with come-from-behind efforts against Yugoslavia (to tie) and Mexico (to win), so no one is sure what the true potential of Coach Berti Vogts' team really is. Strikers Juergen Klinsmann and Oliver Bierhoff are in top form, but the rest of the team is inconsistent, especially goalkeeper Andreas Kopke.

A brief look at some of the major events at 77-year-old Wembley Stadium, which is due to be demolished next month: 1923 The first FA Cup final at Wembley between Bolton and West Ham was officially watched by 126,947 fans, although it was estimated some 200,000 got in and streamed onto the field. Match was called the "White Horse final" after the lone mounted police officer restored order. 1948 Wembley staged the first post World War II Olympics.

SITE: Stade de la Mosson, Montpellier TIME: 7:30 a.m. TV: Channel 34, ESPN. RADIO: KWKW (1330, Spanish). * ABOUT MEXICO: They've shown remarkable resilience in rallying from a one-goal deficit to win their first game, against South Korea, and erasing two-goal deficits to earn draws against Belgium and Holland. Coach Manuel Lapuente is making good use of his bench and getting a lot out of a team that wasn't expected to do much.

Judging from the first round of results in Group E on Saturday, one prediction can safely be made: Saudi Arabia won't be advancing to the second round. After Cameroon and Ireland waged a hard-fought draw, Germany routed the Saudis, 8-0, at Sapporo, Japan, in the fourth most lopsided score in World Cup history. The Germans scored four goals in each half and five on headers--three by Miroslav Klose.

There are no style points awarded in the World Cup, no bonuses given for a scintillating performance. The reward often lies in simply surviving to play again--and Germany accomplished that much Thursday.

England made yet another weak start in the European Championships on Monday, squandering an early two-goal lead and losing, 3-2, to Portugal. The last victory by the English in a foreign country in this tournament came in 1980, and they have never won their opening game in the showcase event. "We threw it away," England Coach Kevin Keegan said. "You go 2-0 up and you've got to fancy your chances of going on to win the game."

Germany is the European soccer champion, beating the Czech Republic, 2-1, on a "golden goal." And Oliver Bierhoff is the golden substitute. Bierhoff tied the score in the second half Sunday, then struck four minutes into overtime, giving Germany its third European Championship title, the previous ones in 1972 and 1980. "It was just a sea of happiness," Bierhoff said. "I was aware that was a golden goal and I had scored it." Some Czech players flung themselves to the ground in dismay.

GERMANY * World Cup Record: Played 73, won 42, lost 15, tied 16, goals for 154, goals against 97. * Best Finish: Champion in 1954, 1974, 1990. * 1994 Showing: Eliminated by Bulgaria in the quarterfinals. * Coach: Berti Vogts. Nicknamed "The Terrier" from his playing days. Trying to emulate former teammate Franz Beckenbauer and become a World Cup winner as a player and a coach. * Players to Watch: Jurgen Kohler, Andry Moeller, Oliver Bierhoff, Thomas Hassler, Jurgen Klinsmann, Ulf Kirsten.