Germany book World Cup place in style

Germany restored pride when it mattered by crushing Ukraine 4-1 in the second leg of their playoff on Wednesday to make next year's World Cup through the back door.

The three-times world champions had looked in danger of failing to appear in the finals for the first time since 1950 after their 1-1 draw in the first leg on Saturday in Kiev.

But they reassured their fans with an impressive display of attacking football and wasted no time in shaking off the prospect of a historic failure, scoring three times in the first 15 minutes.

Midfielder Michael Ballack showed Germany the way to a spectacular demolition of the Ukrainians when he headed home from a Bernd Schneider cross after just four minutes.

The home side kept racing forward and striker Oliver Neuville, who had just missed a great chance, followed up after a Marko Rehmer header was punched out by Ukraine goalkeeper Maxim Levitsky to make it 2-0 from close range in the 11th minute.

Defender Rehmer then as good as killed the tie after only 15 minutes when he added a third with a headed goal from a corner kick.

But the Germans kept the pressure on, and both Neuville and fellow striker Carsten Jancker came close to inflicting further punishment on their visitors before the interval.

Ballack, who had poached the equaliser in the first leg and was oustanding throughout Wednesday's game, made it 4-0 with another header six minutes into the second half.

Shocked by their hosts' furious start, Ukraine, who had been more efficient away from home in their qualifying run, showed very little this time and Germany goalkeeper Oliver Kahn had a peaceful evening until AC Milan striker Andriy Shevchenko pulled one back in the dying moments.

MISSED FINALS

As Germany or West Germany, the soccer giants have only missed two finals, in 1930 and 1950. Then, it was politics and football chiefs, not the players nor the coach, who were to blame.

Their qualifying campaign for next year's finals in Japan and South Korea started well, but was later derailed by a 5-1 defeat to England followed by a dismal 0-0 draw with Finland which left them facing a playoff.

Head coach Rudi Voeller had hinted he would quit if his men missed out on next year's finals, but by the time the scoreboard showed 3-0, the 52,000 fans packing Dortmund's stadium were chanting his name.

The joyful and relieved fans, who had booed their team in last month's dull draw with Finland, kept singing until the final whistle as they witnessed a timely revival coming after a frustrating string of embarrassing displays.