All the papers were unanimous, however, in their verdict that goalkeeper Oliver Kahn was the hero of the German side.

BBC: Joy and relief for Germans

It was the sight of Owen bearing down that reduced Oliver Kahn, regarded as the world's best goalkeeper, to blind panic when he inexplicably picked up a back pass in the first half.

BBC: A legendary win

His side, like all championship winning teams, had luck when it needed it--schoolboy blunders by two of the world's best goalkeepers, David Seaman of England in the quarterfinals and Oliver Kahn of Germany in the final.

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