Two second-half strikes from Mesut Özil helped to secure a Group C victory for Germany against the Faroe Islands in Hannover.

After cruising through their UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying group with a perfect record, Joachim Löw's men were straight back in the groove as Mario Götze put them ahead before the break. Goals in the 54th and 71st minutes from Real Madrid CF man Özil wrapped up the win despite rugged resistance from the Faroes.

The hosts dictated from the off, but some wayward finishing early on left the Hannover Arena crowd frustrated. However, Borussia Dortmund midfielder Götze eased any nerves just before the half-hour, jinking in from the left flank before leaving Gunnar Nielsen helpless in the visiting goal with a sweet finish. The Faroe Islands stopper then provided staunch resistance before the break, ensuring his side took just a single-goal deficit into the interval.

That deficit was doubled nine minutes after the restart, as a sweeping counterattack allowed Thomas Müller to play in Özil to make it two. More superb saves from Nielsen ensured his side were not blown away, but the keeper could do nothing when Marco Reus laid on a second for the playmaker, securing the points ahead of the trip south to neighbours Austria on Tuesday.