Fulfilment at Liverpool

In a German team shaken by the difficult qualification for the World Cup 2002, Dietmar Hamann emerges as a figurehead and constitutes a key part of a side no longer prone to self-doubt.

German national soccer team midfielder Dietmar Hamann eyes the ball 25 June 2002 at the Seoul World Cup stadium during the semi-final match of the 2002 FIFA World Cup against South Korea. German Michael Ballack scored the only goal of the match and Germany defeated South Korea 1-0, qualifying for the final. AFP PHOTO - EMMANUEL DUNAND

Hamann is a talented midfielder, indispensable as much in the national side at he is at his club Liverpool, with whom he collected five trophies in 2001.

After having begun his development in the youth teams of Wacker at the age of five, one of the clubs at Munich where his father is a coach, Dietmar Hamann signed at prestigious Bayern in 1989. He was 16.

He stayed at the club for almost nine seasons, time to begin an honours list which, over the years, was enriched by several trophies: three German championsip titles, and especially a UEFA cup, in 1996, against Bordeaux.

German midfielder Dietmar Hamann (R) reacts after a tackle by Croatian midfielder and captain Zvonimir Boban (L) during the 1998 Soccer World Cup quarter-final between Germany and Croatia 04 July at Gerland stadium in Lyon, central France. Croatia won 0-3 and will play host France in the World Cup semi-finals in Saint-Denis 08 July. (ELECTRONIC IMAGE) AFP PHOTO

In June 1998 he took part in the World Cup but Germany, one of the favourites, were eliminated without glory in the quarter-finals (3-0) by the surprise package, Croatia.

One month later Hamann, a player with an efficient and powerful shot (even from long distances), was taken on by Kenny Dalglish, at that time coach of Newcastle United.

But the "Magpies" changed coach and Hamann came into open conflict with Dutchman Ruud Gullit, who had taken over from the Scotsman.

It got so bad that the German, bought for 5.25 million pounds (6.8 million euros), argued with Gullit at half-time in the final of the FA Cup which Newcastle lost 2-0 to Manchester United.

Victorious at Wembley

"I'm coming back from holiday, I will go and collect my things at Newcastle and I will not step foot in the place again", declared Hamann, signed by Liverpool and their coach Gerard Houllier, who described him as "strong, aggressive and competitive".

The contract was a record 8 million pounds (9.8 million euros).

German midfielder Dietmar Hamann (left) of Liverpool is tackled by Bolton Wanderers' Dean Holdsworth during the FA Barclaycard Premieship match in Bolton 27 August 2001. Bolton won 2-1.

His debut at Anfield was affected by an injury picked up at the beginning of the season but then Hamann formed a partnership with Steven Gerrard of the very highest quality in midfield.

In October 2000 at Wembley, Dietmar Hamann impressed by scoring the winner for the Mannschaft (1-0) against England, a success which at that time seemed to open up Germany's route to qualification for the 2002 World Cup.

Liverpool's goalkeeper Sander Westerweld (R) kisses the UEFA Cup trophy as his teammates celebrate after winning the UEFA Cup final against Deportivo Alaves 16 May 2001 at the Dortmund Westfalenstadion. Liverpool won 5 - 4 in extra-time. AFP PHOTO OLIVIER MORIN

At the end of the 2000-2001 season Hamann went from success to success with the Liverpool: English FA Cup, European Super Cup, League Cup, UEFA Cup and Charity Shield (a match opposing the winner of the English Championship and the FA Cup).

He will be furious with his uncharacteristic mistake in the 2002 World Cup final against Brazil which resulted in Brazil's opening - a perhaps crucial - goal.

He was robbed of the ball by the most dangerous man on the pitch, Ronaldo, who immediately released Rivaldo.

With Germany's defence backing off, the Brazilian unleashed a venomous low shot that captain and goalkeeper Oliver Kahn failed to handle, leaving Ronaldo with the simple task of tapping in. Germany lost the game 2-0.