"So what. Let's just win all upcoming games." That's Germans reaction to the first loss in 50 matches the day before versus Spain. February 28th 2002, GAMEFOUR against European neighbour Belgium in the Asian heat of Bukit Jalil. Kick off @8:05 pm made it a little easier, only +/- 30° C. And Germans reaction on the green astro turf was even sharper. Biederlack (24th), Reinelt (27th), and Michel (54th) set the score to three, Belgium zero. Milestone accomplished, rest day, booma ye!

March Madness, part one… It's March 3rd 2002, side pitch of Bukit Jalil, early hours, thus human weather conditions, and the Germans are hot as frying fat. After morning fitness routine in KLCC Park right to the call of the muezzin GAMEFIVE kicks off at 8:05am. The Black Sticks a.k.a. New Zealand start with a Haka (which looks pretty funny performed by field hockey players) and keep their defense tight and controlled. Only Michel (33rd) and Bechmann (60rd) make it to the scoreboard. "Men leap over where the hedge is lower" - (Law of least effort), or as we say in German: "A good horse only jumps as high as it has to". Gimme the next. Booma ye!