Norway up and running

Rapp opener
The 1995 winners faced France in Group B - and took the lead just after half-time when Anita Rapp, who had hit the crossbar during the first half, headed the competition's opening goal.

'Nervous start'
Dagny Mellgren made the points safe midway through the second half and Norway coach Åge Steen was pleased. "We were a bit nervous at the beginning," she said. "But we took our chances very well and that sets us up nicely for the rest of the competition."

German recovery
UEFA Women's Championship holders Germany were in action in Group C and had to come from behind to beat Canada. Christine Sinclair's fourth-minute opener stunned the Germans - but Bettina Wiegman's 39th-minute penalty restored parity and second-half goals from Stefanie Gottschlich, Birgit Prinz and Kerstin Garefrekes earned the European side a 4-1 win.

Otani hat-trick
The other Group C encounter was lit up by Japan striker Mio Otani's stunning eight-minute hat-trick, which helped fire her team to a 6-0 win against Argentina, who had Natalia Gatti sent off. Meanwhile, in Group A, the People's Democratic Republic of Korea defeated Nigeria 3-0.

Sunday fixtures
On Sunday, Sweden begin their Group A campaign against hosts and holders the United States and Russia face Australia in Group D.