Germany's Kerstin Stegemann (2nd R) scores a goal against Norway in their semi-final match in the FIFA Women's World Cup football tournament at the Tianjin Olympic Center Stadium in Tianjin, 26 September 2007. Germany won the match 3-0 and qualified for the final against Brazil or the USA. AFP PHOTO/MARCUS BRANDT
Germany's Kerstin Garefrekes (R) and Norway's Lene Storlokken clash as they fight for the ball in their semi-final match in the FIFA Women's World Cup football tournament at the Tianjin Olympic Center Stadium in Tianjin, 26 September 2007. German beat Norway 3-0 to qualify for the final. AFP PHOTO/Frederic J. BROWN
German players celebrate their win over Norway after their semi-final match in the FIFA Women's World Cup football tournament at the Tianjin Olympic Center Stadium in Tianjin, 26 September 2007. Germany defeated Norway 3-0 to reach the final. AFP PHOTO/Peter PARKS
Germany's PLAYER Nadine ANGERER and Ariane HINGST celebrate their victory during the semi-final match between Germany-Norway,at the FIFA Women's World Cup football tournament at the Tianjin Olympic Center Stadium in Tianjin, 26 September 2007.
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Holders Germany powered into the final of the FIFA Women's World Cup with a 3-0 win over Norway in Tianjin. The result did not paint the full picture, however, with the Scandinavians running their rivals close for much of the game until quick-fire goals from Kerstin Stegemann and Martina Mueller in the last 20 minutes put the game beyond their reach.
Luck also deserted the Norwegians when they conceded their first two goals, an own goal and a deflected strike contriving to put them 2-0 behind. Birgit Prinz played a key hand in both of those efforts, and the winner of tomorrow's second semi-final between USA and Brazil will have their hands full trying to contain her.
If Germany fans were disappointed to see Melanie Behringer leave the field on 40 minutes, then this disappointment quickly turned to joy when they opened the scoring two minutes later. The move emanated from the feet of her replacement, Fatmire Bajramaj, who raced from the edge of her own box into the opposition half before releasing Prinz. The No9 powered to the byline and from her cut-back, the luckless Trine Ronning turned the ball into her own net.
Prinz then combined strength and invention to tee up Stegemann for Germany's second, the latter's strike taking a wicked deflection off a Norwegian defender and looping over Bente Nordby and in off the post. Two quickly became three, Mueller sprinting on to a loose pass-back to slide the ball past the Norway No1 for the 100th goal of the tournament.
Norway, though, can take heart from a positive performance against formidable opponents. Bjarne Berntsen's side had 49 per cent of the possession, registered 13 shots and earned seven corners to their adversaries' three.
They will now look to take the bronze medal home from an impressive campaign, which included progressing to the knockout stage as Group C winners and then eliminating hosts China PR. However, it is Germany who can now look forward to their third FIFA Women's World Cup final in Shanghai on Sunday.
Player of the Match: Birgit Prinz
Source: FIFA.com
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