Both in Germany and in England, tall, but rail-thin Hamann was at first ridiculed for "being the only basketballer to play professional soccer".
Hamann played half the game of the miraculous 2005 UEFA Champions League finals win (after penalties) with a broken foot. However, this did not stop him from taking and scoring the vital first penalty.
Hamann was the last player to score at the old Wembley stadium, when Germany beat England 1:0 in 2001.
The 2002 World Cup final will be remembered for Oliver Kahn's blunder which led to the 0-1. However, a little-known fact is that just seconds before, Hamann had the ball, but lost it due to a stupid fumble.
Hamann is rated as one of the best midfielders in the World and possibly the best passer of the ball.He has the record for the number of completed passes in the English Premiership.
Dietmar Hamann Detailed Biography -
Dietmar "Didi" Hamann (born August 27, 1973 in Waldsassen, Bavaria) is a German international midfielder who plays for Liverpool.
He previously played for FC Wacker Munchen, Bayern Munich and Newcastle United.
Hamann was the first Liverpool player since Roger Hunt (1966) to play in a World Cup Final, through his appearance in the 2002 Final against Brazil. He has 51 caps and has scored 4 goals for the national team and was part of the German roster at the 1998 World Cup, Euro 2000, the 2002 World Cup, and Euro 2004.
In June 2005, Hamann agreed to a new one-year contract with Liverpool F.C., with the option of another year. He had previously expressed his desire to stay with the club and manager, Rafa Benitez expressed his delight at the new deal calling Didi a "very important player" for the club.
