‘Beat the stuffing out of Germany' our Euro minister diplomatically urges

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Europe minister David Lidington and sports minister Hugh Robertson spoke out after days of taunting and criticism of the England team by German football great Franz Beckenbauer and the German media.

They also accused Beckenbauer of resorting to "psychological warfare" and predicted that England's greater "experience" would be the decisive factor over a young German side — but warned against the sporting rivalry between the two nations spilling over into hooliganism and clashes between supporters.

"We should be giving 100 per cent support to our own team hoping that they beat the stuffing out of the Germans on the soccer field . . . and then England and German fans having a few friendly beers together after the game," Mr Lidington told the Standard.

Beckenbauer said it was "stupid" that Fabio Capello's men came second in their group, and said England looked a "little tired" and "burnt out".

"It's a very predictable part of the build-up to football games," said Mr Robertson. "All the Beckenbauer comments will do is fire up the team."

Mr Robertson believes that England will win 2-0 and could even, if necessary, win a penalty shoot-out.

"Penalties come down to experience and nerves and the German side looks much younger," he said.

Prime Minister David Cameron hopes to watch the game despite being at the G8 summit in Canada this weekend — but not alongside German leader Angela Merkel.

"We might get a bit carried away," he told GMTV.