- guardian.co.uk, Sunday June 30 2002 11.03 BST
The Germans, famous for attention to detail, hope the tiny one pfennig piece will continue the eight-match unbeaten run which has seen it transformed into a symbol of hope for 60 million highly superstitious Germans.
The coin, known as the glueckspfennig or 'lucky penny', has assumed huge significance for Germany since they began using it: in the eight games played so far, they have won six, drawn two and progressed to today's final.
Before games start, journalists from the German newspaper Bild plant the coin in the grass, often in the goal itself, to bring Rudi Völler's team luck.
'When England beat Germany 5-1 in Munich last year, we hit on the idea of using an old pfennig to bring the team luck. They were playing so badly that they needed something,' explained Klaus-Peter Witt, Bild's deputy sports editor. 'In Germany a lucky penny is a common talisman. Many people carry one in their purse to bring them luck.' Völler and Germany's entire 23-man squad have all touched the coin in a bid to enhance its powers. 'They believe in it as a good luck charm,' said Witt.
Security surrounding today's final mean they will not try and bury the coin before kick-off at noon. Instead Michael Ballack, Germany's star player who is suspended from the match, will hold it throughout.
The coin's magical powers were apparently confirmed when, with it hidden under the stage on which football officials made the World Cup draw, Germany were handed one of the easier groups in Japan and Korea.
During the finals, the coin has been buried in the goalmouth, kept in a snuff box on the German bench and entrusted to a ballboy, all to bring Germany luck.
The coin had a narrow escape before last week's Germany-South Korea semi-final in Seoul when a Korean policeman spotted the pfennig being buried near a corner flag and demanded an explanation. But a quick-thinking Bild reporter ensured the lucky penny remained intact by handing him a Korean ten won coin.
The Brazilians claim to be unaffected by the Germans' ploy. 'The only thing we can do is take a shovel and dig up the coin', joked Luiz Felipe Scolari, Brazil's manager.
Brazil have several superstitions of their own. Before kick-off and before the second half, goalkeeper Marcos prays and puts his arms in the air in a gesture that some say makes him look like Christ. Scolari, a devout Catholic, has promised his patron saint he will reward God if his team triumphs.
Gerhard Schroeder, the German Chancellor, is hoping that an unlikely victory for his countrymen will boost his chances of being re-elected, while Brazilians hope a record fifth World Cup win for them will help revive their ailing economy.
