by Allen Hopkins, FOXSports.com

Could you have scripted the drama any better? Becks sends England to Korea/Japan with a very clutch free kick after Germany stalls against much-improved Finland. The final day of European group nine World Cup qualifying was so riveting and compelling, I wish the World Cup started yesterday.

Germany's lack of finishing severely undermined Plan-B. Otto Rehhagel's Greece held up their end of the deal, playing their best qualifier at Old Trafford. Despite the draw in Gelsenkirchen, Germany looked on their way to Asia only to see the English skipper's equalizer moments later.

The proverbial salt in the wound.

Qualification through a playoff is new ground for the three-time World Cup winners. Germany has missed the Finals only twice, in 1930 and 1950, both times for political reasons.

For the opposing Ukraine, playoffs aren't anything new. They were narrowly beaten by Croatia for a spot in France '98 -- undone by a dubious linesman's flag that ruled out a vital goal for the hosts in Kiev. Croatia squeaked through, beat Germany in the quarterfinals, and placed third in the Finals. Talk about making the most of an opportunity.

Make no mistake. Andriy Shevchenko will be the best player on the pitch over the two-legs, giving Ukraine the advantage. The AC Milan striker is without doubt one of the top five strikers in the world. Sheva scored nine times in qualifying, tying him with Denmark's Ebbe Sand for the most goals. Whether Rudi Voeller chooses to acknowledge Shevchenko and try a man-marking scheme remains to be seen. Either way, going into November without a 'Sheva-plan' would be ill advised.

With Germany playing at Euro 2000 confidence levels they're a 50-50 bet to dispatch Ukraine. And there are plenty of other worries ahead of the November meetings.

Defensively the move to a four-man backline was wise and adds much needed comfort in front of everyone's number one, Oliver Kahn. Christian Worns, Jens Nowotny, Marko Rehmer and Christian Ziege played much better. We know what Michael Owen did in Munich so how will they play against another world-class striker?

Injuries to Memet Scholl and Jens Jeremies are still looming in the midfield. Last weekend, just as against England, they collectively ran out of attacking ideas. Jorg Bohme is all of four caps into his international career. Sebastian Diesler hasn't developed a 90-minute game, a big problem when you're the number 10. However, Gerald Asamoah, on the right, and Michael Ballack, on the left, are more than capable of holding their own. Ball-hawking Carsten Ramelow is a defensive force patrolling the midfield.

Clearly Voeller went loyal in the choice of out-of-form Oliver Bierhoff. Without hard-battling Carsten Jancker there isn't anyone to badger defenders. As much as you hate Jancks at times, you have to admire his fiery attitude. He would've finished one of Bierhoff's four wasted chances.

I appreciate Oliver Neuville's ability to create and contribute in possession, but his lack of finishing hurts his credibility. Ulf Kirsten is/would be the best choice, but maybe time and pride gets in the way.

Germany has two legs to prove they are worthy of a spot in Korea/Japan. If not, as sad as it may be, the World Cup will go on without them. The Nationalelf have been down a similar road like this before. In 1989, they were on the brink of not qualifying after a scoreless draw in Wales. One year later they were the champions of Italia '90.

If they fail this time, there is a bright side. Germany has already qualified for the 2006 World Cup.

You can watch Allen Hopkins live every Saturday and Sunday as he covers the 2001/02 Bundesliga season only on Fox Sports World.