BONN, Germany, June 6 - A German television documentary has taken a swipe at England's 1966 World Cup triumph and the controversial goal scored by Geoff Hurst.

The 3-Sat channel called the 4-2 victory a "curse" for England, comparing the two World Cups and three European championships won by German teams over the past 40 years to the fact their old rivals have drawn a title blank since 1966.

Tuesday's documentary "Wembley 1966, das Original des Klassikers" showed photographs and computer-generated reconstructions it said suggested hat-trick hero Hurst's second goal, England's third, had not crossed the line.

It also quoted players from the West Germany team, including captain Uwe Seeler, as saying it was a phantom goal.

With a tone as serious as if the game had been played last week, the documentary profiled Russian linesman Tofik Bakhramov, who signalled the goal.

But German viewers had the last laugh when the programme showed a succession of penalty shootouts between the two teams in subsequent major championships, all ending in defeat for England.