Hosts and defending champions Germany got their women’s World Cup campaign off to a flying start on Sunday as they beat Group A rivals Canada 2-1 at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium.

Having won both the 2003 and 2007 editions, Germany are bidding to complete a hat-trick of titles on home soil and had few problems against the Canadians, who threatened the German goal on only rare occasions.

First-half goals by midfielders Kerstin Garefrekes and Celia Okoyino da Mbabi put the hosts in control before Canada captain Christine Sinclair, who broke her nose in the first half, slotted home a late free-kick for the guests.

“It was the first game so we were a bit nervous. There is room for improvements and we will improve,” said goal-scorer Garefrekes, who also supplied the pass for the second goal.

The win puts the Germans top of Group A after France’s earlier 1-0 win over Nigeria.

“We got two goals in the first half and didn’t play so well, then in the second half we were much better organised, but we couldn’t score,” said Germany coach Silvia Neid.

“Things got tight at the end and it could have been 2-2, so I am very happy …

Few would argue that the host nation will be a fiercely tough team to beat, with Germany winning the last two FIFA Women’s World Cups to impressively underline their dominant position in the world game.

However, the downside is that anything far short of their previous tournament triumphs would represent a major letdown for the home crowd.

Continuity is the key to the world champions’ success. The spine of coach Silvia Neid’s team has hardly changed in the past few years, with professionals such as goal-getter Birgit Prinz and goalkeeper Nadine Angerer boasting unmatched experience.…

Five years after Germany successfully hosted the men’s event, World Cup fever is returning to Germany again, this time for the women’s game. The biggest sporting event of the summer, the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup, kicks off June 26 in Berlin.

Brazil’s five-time Player of the Year Marta and all-time World Cup top scorer Birgit Prinz of Germany are among the big names who will headline the €51-million extravaganza which takes place over three weeks in nine cities.

Sixteen teams are battling for the top prize with over 670,000 tickets of the one million on offer already sold.…

Michael Ballack, a towering figure in German football for the past decade, is no longer part of the national squad after 98 appearances for his country.

The national football federation (DFB) made the announcement on Thursday, ending months of speculation over the midfielder’s playing future on the world stage.

“I have discussed things openly with Michael Ballack, most recently in our meeting at the end of March 2011 and in numerous phone calls since then,” coach Joachim Löw said.

“With the Euro 2012 season about to start the time has come for me to make a clear statement.”

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