Slick Germany signal ambition

Germany raced out of the blocks with a commanding 4-1 victory against Italy in UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship Group B.

Maren Meinert's three-time winners succumbed in the group stage last year and they appeared bent on avoiding a similar fate with an explosive start to their 2010 bid. Kyra Malinowski nodded in a 15th-minute corner to get them rolling and Hasret Kayikci's stunning effort soon doubled their lead, before Marie-Louise Bagehorn added a third and Carolin Simon buried a spectacular 47th-minute free-kick – with Marta Mason restoring a little pride for the Azzurrine.

Winners of this competition in 2008, Italy engineered the first chance of the game when lone striker Sabrina Marchese forced a save from Almuth Schult from the right, but she and her colleagues were soon on the defensive and, with nine minutes gone, Katja Schroffenegger had to dive low to turn a Malinowski shot wide.

Germany began attacking with more purpose after that and they soon had their reward, Malinowski running onto a Ramona Petzelberger corner to head in unimpeded. The response from Corrado Corradini's charges was spirited, yet a moment of supreme quality increased their deficit with 25 minutes gone, Kayikci unleashing a superb strike from 25 metres that bounced in off the underside of the crossbar.

Only Schroffenegger's excellent point-blank save from Petzelberger staved off immediate further damage, but it proved no more than a temporary respite as the skilful Bagehorn then shot into the top-left corner from outside the area. Germany's long-range shooting prowess was in evidence quickly after the restart too, Simon arcing in a fantastic free-kick that Schroffenegger was powerless to stop.

The Azzurrine finally got themselves on the scoresheet a minute shy of the hour mark when Mason finished coolly after collecting fellow substitute Lisa Alborghetti's threaded pass. Her goal proved a mere consolation, however, and Germany threatened again when Kayikci struck a post. The victors face Scotland next on Thursday, when Italy can expect another tough test against holders England.