Germany held in front of record crowd

Germany 1-1 Brazil
In a friendly in front of 44,825 spectators, a modern European record for women's football, Germany were held by Brazil in a rematch of the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup final.

Brazil recover
Germany won that match 2-0 in Shanghai and a year later in the Olympics drew 0-0 in the group stage before a 4-1 semi-final defeat, but tonight Anja Mittag put the home side ahead on 24 minutes before Maurine's equaliser later in the first half.

Prinz injured
The opening stages were cautious, befitting the exulted nature of this particular friendly. With seven minutes played, Kerstin Garefrekes first threatened, being sent deep into the Brazilian box, but her back-pass was cleared by a defender. Minutes later, Mittag just missed a through ball from Birgit Prinz, who was replaced by Martina Müller on 39 minutes after suffering suspected fractured ribs.

Goals
By that point it was already 1-1. Mittag opened the scoring when she volleyed in a cross that followed a dynamic Linda Bresonik run. But eleven minutes later came a Brazil goal against the run of play, as Maurine ran in unmarked to finish off a free-kick move.

Germany threaten
The second half was all Germany's, going close twice from corners when Barbara superbly parried Mittag's effort and from a later set-piece Kim Kulig hit the post and Müller turned the rebound into the side-netting. Bresonik and Müller both also threatened but Brazil held on. Germany defend their continental title at UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2009™ in Finland from 23 August until 10 September and continue to prepare with home friendlies when they welcome Japan to Mannheim on 29 July and play Brazil in Bochum on 6 August.