Germany thrash Denmark to get Euro campaign off to a flying start

[July 09, 2022]  By Christian Radnedge

LONDON (Reuters) -Germany's bid to win a record ninth European Championship got off to an emphatic start as they beat Denmark 4-0 in their Group B opener on Friday.

An early strike from Lina Magull and second-half goals from Lea Schuller, Lena Lattwein and Alexandra Popp at the Brentford Community Stadium ensured Germany kept their record intact of never losing an opening match in the Euros.

It was sweet revenge for the Germans who lost 2-1 to Denmark in the quarter-finals of the previous tournament in 2017. The Danes went on to finish as runners-up that year, but could not cope with a rampant Germany this time round.

Germany rattled the woodwork three times in the opening 15 minutes but finally made the breakthrough in the 21st when Magull charged down defender Stine Pedersen and won the ball to go through on goal and rifle it past goalkeeper Lene Christiansen.

Martina Voss Tecklenburg's side could have extended their lead before halftime but were either thwarted by Christiansen or their own profligacy.

Christiansen did well to deny Magull early in the second half when she tipped wide a long-range effort from the midfielder. However, from the resulting corner Schuller rose highest to meet Magull's cross and head in Germany's second.

Denmark hardly threatened and conceded a third in the 78th minute when substitute Lattwein fired in a knockdown from midfielder Lena Oberdorf.

Another substitute Popp, who missed the 2017 tournament through injury, put a gloss on the scoreline late on with her 54th goal for her country, while Denmark had 19-year-old Kathrine Moller Kuhl sent off right at the end for a second booking.

Soccer Football - Women's Euro 2022 - Group B - Germany v Denmark - Brentford Community Stadium, London, Britain - July 8, 2022 Germany's Kathrin Hendrich and Svenja Huth celebrate after the match REUTERS/Lisi Niesner

"We played an outstanding game. We were at it right away and created plenty of scoring chances that we didn't really take advantage of in the first half. We were incredibly dominant and aggressive. It was a great team effort by everyone involved," Voss Tecklenburg said.

A large contingent of the 15,746 spectators in attendance were Denmark fans who made their voices heard throughout but coach Lars Sondergaard was disappointed his side could not do the support justice.

"The support was fantastic, and the setting was insane – also after the game. What disappoints us the most is that we couldn't perform better, and I hope we can do that in the remaining last two games in the group," he said.

Germany top the group on three points with Spain who beat Finland 4-1 earlier. Denmark next take on Finland on Tuesday, while Germany play Spain later that day.

(Reporting by Christian RadnedgeEditing by Toby Davis)

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