That was the outcome in Nagano four years ago, when Langen and Zimmerman claimed the bronze.

BBC: Germany take two-man title

Langen, and his 37-year-old brakeman Zimmerman, won the right to go last after tossing a coin.

BBC: Germany take two-man title

"You can't provide more tension, " Langen said after finishing with an aggregate time of three minutes 10.11 seconds.

BBC: Germany take two-man title

That meant that the 39-year-old Langen could call on all his experience to come home inside the Swiss time to secure victory.

BBC: Germany take two-man title

However German centre-right MEP Werner Langen pointed out that all countries feared to be at risk of a debt crisis - namely Greece, Portugal and Spain - had socialist governments.

BBC: European Parliament