Northern Ireland v Germany

GOOD EVENING

Welcome to the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park again tonight. For many supporters I know it will be the second visit here in five days and we thank you for your continued support.

Tonight’s match will be as different from last Thursday’s game as chalk from cheese, given that tonight’s opponents are Germany and this is a vital UEFA Euro 2020 qualifier game. By the time we play in Frankfurt on 19 November we will have faced off against Germany no less than five times in less than four years, meeting in Belfast, Hannover and, of course, Paris over that period. Naturally squads have gone through some renewal process over this time, and tonight we will see a mix of experienced and younger players taking on our opponents. Michael used the inaugural UEFA Nations League this time last year to give new players some experience, so players such as Bailey Peacock-Farrell and Jamal Lewis come into games like this with valuable experience under their belts. To no-one’s surprise all available tickets for this game were snapped up weeks ago and yet again we have a complete sell out in south Belfast. As always we say thank you to our Campaign Card holders who back us at all matches. The atmosphere tonight will be electric and I have no doubt the GAWA will be in full voice from before kick-off right through to the final whistle. The prize on offer at the end of this campaign is huge and so far Michael’s squad have done everything asked of them to book one of those coveted places at next year’s finals. No matter whether you went to France in 2016 or followed the action back at home or elsewhere in the world, you will know the incredible feelgood factor generated by our presence at the tournament, and we now want to experience it again. Tonight’s match gives us a chance to take a giant stride towards that target and we hope for a positive result, although it will be difficult, especially as I expect

Germany to be even more focused than usual after losing to the Dutch on Friday night. On another note last month we hosted the tournament launch for the UEFA men’s under-19 championship finals which will be held in Northern Ireland next July. We are delighted Northern Ireland legend Aaron Hughes has agreed to be our tournament ambassador and we all look forward to seeing the best of Europe’s young talent on our shores next year. When we last hosted this tournament in 2005 players such as Cesc Fabregas, Hugo Lloris and one of tonight’s potential opponents, Manuel Neuer, were on show so it will definitely be a showcase for future stars. Look out for match and ticket details in the coming months. Enjoy the game tonight.

Patrick Nelson Chief Executive Irish Football Association

UPDATE RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner has been included in the Germany squad for tonight’s Euro 2020 qualifier against Northern Ireland. The 23-year-old, who has 26 caps

and 10 goals for his country, has proved prolific since moving to Leipzig, scoring 50 times in the last three seasons, while he has five goals in three appearances already this term. Werner scored a bagful of goals for Germany at youth level and also won the Golden Boot at the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup. Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan (influenza) and Borussia Dortmund defender Nico Schulz (injured) are both out of the Germany squad for tonight’s game.

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