Hungary make perfect start

Hungary began their qualifying campaign for the 2005 UEFA European Women's Championship by defeating Poland 2-0 away at the Mosir Czechowice stadium in Group 3.

Few chances
Neither side managed to take control of the game in a first half where both struggled to fashion any meaningful opportunities. The pattern of the game also remained the same for long periods after the interval.

Paranoanu opener
Aranka Paranoanu's 78th-minute goal for the visitors provided the breakthrough, before Szilvia Ruff sealed the points in the dying stages with a precise shot. Poland coach Albin Wira said: "We didn't play badly in the first 45 minutes but we conceded an unfortunate goal when our goalkeeper made a mistake - after that we stopped playing."

'Better side'
Wira admitted that the away team approached the game correctly, saying: "Hungary were much smarter than us. I knew that at this level we would be drawn with better and more experienced teams and that was confirmed today."

Next match
Poland's next match is against Russia on 18 May, while Hungary are at home to France, the group favourites, on 11 May.