Germany off to flying start
Thursday, March 27, 2003
Article summary
Germany 5-0 Scotland
Striker Birgit Prinz won her 100th cap and scored twice as the holders breezed past Scotland in Group 4.
Article body
Holders Germany got their Group 4 qualifying campaign for the 2005 UEFA European Women's Championship off to a perfect start as they hammered Scotland 5-0 in Potsdam.
Century strike
Birgit Prinz, making her 100th appearance for her country, gave Germany the lead after 25 minutes from the penalty spot. Things got worse for Scotland, in their first game among the European élite, eight minutes later as Donna James was sent off after picking up a second yellow card.
Grings treble
Inka Grings added a second five minutes before half-time, and she made it 3-0 13 minutes after the break with a deflected shot from 20 metres. Her hat-trick duly arrived seven minutes later.
Prinz again
Prinz, who will travel to the United States on Monday to join up again with Carolina Courage rounded off a fine day for her personally with the fifth after 69 minutes, her 47th goal for her country.
Big improvement
Germany face the Czech Republic in their second group game in August, while Scotland will look for a big improvement before their trip to Portugal in June.
