The German women’s national team faced Norway in their final prepartion match for the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup 2011 on Thursday evening. Norway was the expected tough opponent, but the Germans managed to score a 3-0 win.

The defending World Champions dominated the match at the Bruchweg Stadium in Mainz, but they failed to capitalize from the extraordinarily possession in the first half. The Scandinavians denied the hosts to enter their box too often and had a good keeper in Ingrid Hjelmseth, who denied any half-chances by the Germans.

Inka Grings had the best chance for the Germans in the 29th minute, when her shot from the edge of the area missed the target by inches.

The second half started off with an on-fire German team. Substitute Melanie Behringer had a first shot on target in the 49th minute only to see keeper Hjelmseth clearing it for a corner.

But the game slowed down in the middle of the second half, although the Germans kept trying to create some scoring opportunities.

The Scandinavians had their first dangerous shot on target in the 68th minute, when Leni Larsen Kaurin went through to the box and fired a shot on goal. But German keeper Nadine Angerer punched the ball away to clear the situation.

Germany increased the pace and created several chances after the wake-up call. Celia Okoyino da Mbabi (71st min) and Fatmire Bajramaj (73′ min) missed two of these scoring opportunities and left the fans waiting for the “golden goal”.

The goal drought ended in the 79th minute when a Melanie Behringer corner found an unmarked Simone Laudehr in the Norwegian box. Laudher made no mistake and headed the ball directly into the Scandinavian goal.

Young German striking talent Alexandra Popp scored a brace just second later to the delight of the German fans at the Bruchweg Stadium. Popp showed her excellent skills in the 80th minute, when she intercepted a pass by Norwegian defender and slotted in past a surprised Erika Espeseth Skarbø.

Popp added a second goal to her tally just two minutes later. The youngster headed in a Melanie Behringer cross from the left flank in the 82nd minute to give her team a 3-0 lead.

Silvia Neid’s team is well prepared for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2011 and it seems like the team is on the right track on their mission to defend their title.

GOALS
1-0 Simone Laudehr (79′), 2-0 Alexandra Popp (80′), 3-0 Alexandra Popp (82′)

LINE-UPS

Germany
1-Nadine Angerer; 10-Linda Bresonik, 5-Annike Krahn (72′ 20-Lena Goeßling), 3-Saskia Bartusiak, 4-Babett Peter; 14-Kim Kulig, 6-Simone Laudehr; 18-Kerstin Garefrekes (46′ 7-Melanie Behringer), 9-Birgit Prinz [C] (46′ 19-Fatmire Bajramaj), 13-Celia Okoyino da Mbabi (72′ 16-Martina Müller); 8-Inka Grings (46′ 11-Alexandra Popp)

Norway
1-Ingrid Hjelmseth (54′ Erika Espeseth Skarbø); 5-Marita Skammelsrud Lund, 3-Maren Mjelde, 2-Nora Holstad Berge, 18-Guro Knutsen Mienna; 7-Trine Rønning (69′ 20-Ingrid Ryland), 19-Emilie Bosshard Haavi (69′ Gry Tofte Ims); 9-Isabell Herlovsen (46′ Ingvild Stensland), 6-Lisa-Marie Woods (46′ 11-Leni Larsen Kaurin), 13-Madeleine Giske (61′ 17-Lene Mykjåland); 10-Cecilie Pedersen

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee
Una Hong (Korea Republic)

Assistant Referees
…, …

Fourth Official
Bibiana Steinhaus (Germany)

BOOKINGS

Yellow Cards
21′ Maren Mjelde (Norway)

Red Cards
none

ATTENDANCE
13,810