Collina takes charge

Italy's top referee has been given the big showdown

Pierluigi Collina will referee England's crucial World Cup qualifier against Germany in Munich on Saturday.

The bald-headed Italian is seen by many as the world's best referee and officiated England's 1-0 win over their arch-rivals at Euro 2000.

Sven Goran Eriksson's England team desperately need to win the September showdown to keep their hopes of finishing top of the group alive.

Germany could book their place in next year's World Cup in Korea and Japan with a victory.

Red card

Collina has previously taken charge of yet another famous England versus Germany encounter at club level.

He was the ref for Manchester United's Champions League final against Bayern Munich at the Nou Camp in 1999, a match United won 2-1.

He will be best remembered by England fans, however, as the man who sent off Paul Ince in the first game of the Euro 2000 qualifying campaign, a 2-1 defeat in Sweden.