One million euros for World Cup penalty note

BERLIN – The crib sheet used by Germany and Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann to help him defy Argentina in the World Cup quarter-final penalty shootout fetched one million euros (1.3 million dollars) late on Saturday.

The sweat-stained piece of hotel notepaper contained scouting notes on the Argentinian penalty-takers, telling Lehmann which way they would direct their spot kicks. It was bought during a televised appeal for children’s charities by the German energy producer EnBW.Lehmann, who flew to Germany to hand over the note live on television straight after Arsenal’s 2-2 Premiership draw with Portsmouth, said he was astonished by the amount raised.”It is unbelievable, I never thought this piece of paper would capture people’s imagination in such a way.”Lehmann studied the note carefully before each Argentinian spot kick, slipping it into his sock at the last moment.He stopped penalties from Roberto Ayala and Esteban Cambiasso to help Germany win the shootout 4-2 after the match in Berlin’s Olympic Stadium had finished 1-1 in extra-time.Jurgen Klinsmann’s side went on to lose 2-0 in the semi-final to eventual winners Italy.Nampa-AFPIt was bought during a televised appeal for children’s charities by the German energy producer EnBW.Lehmann, who flew to Germany to hand over the note live on television straight after Arsenal’s 2-2 Premiership draw with Portsmouth, said he was astonished by the amount raised.”It is unbelievable, I never thought this piece of paper would capture people’s imagination in such a way.”Lehmann studied the note carefully before each Argentinian spot kick, slipping it into his sock at the last moment.He stopped penalties from Roberto Ayala and Esteban Cambiasso to help Germany win the shootout 4-2 after the match in Berlin’s Olympic Stadium had finished 1-1 in extra-time.Jurgen Klinsmann’s side went on to lose 2-0 in the semi-final to eventual winners Italy.Nampa-AFP