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Germany's "Pop(p)"stars trash Italy

Germany - Women's national team

Germany - Women's national team

The German national team showcased their ambitions to defend their FIFA Women’s World Cup title with an impressive 5-0 win against Italy in an international friendly match at the osnatel-Arena, Osnabrueck.

The German team started off well against a good Italian team and they had their first chance in the 2nd minute, when Kim Kulig headed a Melanie Behringer freekick on target. But Italian goalkeeper Anna Maria Picarelli saved the header and denied the Germans an early lead.

Former FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year and skipper Birgit Prinz came up with another good effort in the 18th minute, while her shot from the edge of the box missed the goal by a whisker. Prinz had a second attempt in the 24th minute, but her long-range shot hit the post and the rebound was missed by her teammate Inka Grins.

Germany took the lead in the 32nd minute through an own goal by Italy’s Roberta D’Adda. A cross from the right flank met Inka Grings, who took a shot on target. But Picarelli’s save hit the leg of D’Adda and the ball went into the net.

The Germans made four changes to the line-up at the beginning of the 2nd half. Coach Silvia Neid took the opportunity and gave Celia Okoyino da Mbabi, Lena Goeßling, Fatmire Bajramaj and Alexandra Popp the chance to impress in-front of 12,080 spectators at the osnatel-Arena.

The changes paid off very early for the Germans as Alexandra Popp increased the lead in the 46th minute. Germany increased the pressure further and Kim Kulig made it 3-0 after an one-to-one with Popp.

The frenetic crowd pushed their team further ahead and Celia Okoyino da Mbabi replied to the demands with a beautiful solo run, which she finished off in the 69th minute to give her team a 4-0 lead.

FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup 2010 winner Alexandra Popp volleyed home a cross from Okoyino da Mbabi in the 77th minute to seal an impressive 5-0 win for Germany.

Italy coach Pietro Ghedin complimented the German team for their terrific performance against his “Squadra Azzurra”.

Ghedin: “It was a magnificent match by the Germans. They are the top favourites to win the FIFA Women’s World Cup!”

His German counterpart Silvia Neid was happy with her wards and feels that the team is progressing well in their preparations for the finals.

Neid: “It was a great match. We had our problems in the first half as Italy tried hard to keep us away from their box. But we turned things to the right direction in the second half.”

“I don’t have a starting line-up in my mind for the World Cup finals yet. The preparation matches will give me a better idea to finalise the line-up,” Neid continued.

While asked about the chances of her young striking talent Alexandra Popp to claim a spot in the World Cup starting eleven, Neid answered: “Alex had another great game today. It was good for her to start off from the bench and to deliver in the second half.  I think this will be her role in the coming matches too.”

“It was a nice match and we enjoyed to play in-front of such a fantastic crowd. I would love to come back any time,” the former German international added.

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GOALS
1-0 Roberta D’Adda (32′, own goal), 2-0 Alexandra Popp (46′), 3-0 Kim Kulig (62′), 4-0 Celia Okoyino da Mbabi (69′), 5-0 Alexandra Popp (77′)

LINE-UPS

Germany
1-Nadine Angerer; 10-Linda Bresonik, 5-Annike Krahn, 3-Saskia Bartusiak (46′ 20-Lena Goeßling), 4-Babett Peter; 6-Simone Laudehr, 14-Kim Kulig (67′ 17-Ariane Hingst), 18-Kerstin Garefrekes (67′ 16-Martina Müller), 7-Melanie Behringer (46′ 13-Celia Okoyino da Mbabi); 9-Birgit Prinz [C] (46′ 19-Fatmire Bajramaj), 8-Inka Grings (46′ 11-Alexandra Popp)

Italy
1-Anna Maria Picarelli; 3-Roberta D’Adda, 5-Elisabetta Tona, 6-Laura Neboli, 2-Sara Gama (72′ 15-Alia Guagni); 4-Alessia Tuttino, 7-Giulia Domenichetti, 8-Melania Gabbiadini, 9-Patrizia Panico [C] (64′ 16-Daniela Sabatino); 20-Elisa Camporese (59′ 19-Carolina Pini, 86′ 11-Alice Parisi), 21-Mart Carissimi

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee
Alexandra Ihringova (England)

Assistant Referees
Marina Wozniak (Germany), Katrin Rafalski (Germany)

BOOKINGS

Yellow Cards
45′ Sara Gama (Italy), 76′ Alessia Tuttino (Italy)

Red Cards
none

ATTENDANCE
12,080

PLEASE VIST MY FACEBOOK PAGE FOR THE GERMANY v ITALY PICTURE GALLERY:
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