Women's soccer

It was a perfect start for Germany's women's national team. The 4-0 scoreline against joint favorites Norway underlined Germany's aspirations of winning a seventh European title at Euro 2009. The German team, which has twice been crowned world champion, has not been beaten in 21 European championship games in succession.

"We want to start the championships with a victory", Germany's national coach Silvia Neid had told the players before the match and this is exactly what they did.

Around 7,500 spectators saw the German side dominate the match right from the beginning and never let the Norwegians find their way into the match. Germany were strong up front but Inka Grings, Melanie Behringer and Linda Bresonik failed to convert several goal-scoring chances.

Grings also had a goal disallowed by the referee. After 30 minutes of play Germany scored their opening goal. Norway's Maren Mjelde fouled German striker Birgit Prinz and Linda Brensonik scored from the penalty spot.

Goals galore

After the break Germany created more scoring chances but failed to add to their score, not least due to some fantastic saves from Norwegian goalkeeper Ingrid Hjelmseth. Grings, Garefrekes and Prinz all missed the target. It wasn't until the dying minutes of the match that Germany found their goal-scoring form.

Fatimire Bajramaj found the back of the net twice (90, 90+4) and Anja Mittag also scored in injury time.

"Not scoring that second goal for so long was really nerve wracking! But, on the whole, I'm quite pleased with our team's performance", said a relieved Silvia Neid.

"To come away with three points and score four goals against a strong opponent will give us extra motivation, but we can't rest on our laurels. I expect the same commitment and concentration in our second game against France."

Germany's next match is against France on August 27, followed by Iceland on August 30.

nrt/dpa/SID

Editor: Chuck Penfold