'Experience doesn't matter'

BLOEMFONTEIN: Germany boasts of the youngest squad in South Africa, while Fabio Capello's England is packed with a plethora of experienced stars who have flattered to deceive.

And when they take on each other in the last 16 match tonight, the battle will be between the exuberance of youth and wisdom of experience.

But one of Germany's attacking trident, Lukas Podolski, believes experience is not as important a factor as it is made out to be.

"Overall, we've played some very good football. There was more pressure against Ghana, and we didn't look as convincing in attack as we did against Australia or in the second half against Serbia.

But we've definitely come on as a team, and we have a number of very good young players, which has to be a good thing," Podolski said.

"What happened to Italy and France shows us that age and experience are no guarantee of success," he added.