Germany made to work for win

Germany 3-1 Russia
Germany completed their preparations for UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2009™ with a friendly win against fellow finalists Russia in Bochum.

Late clincher
In front of 13,303 spectators, Germany took until the 52nd minute to break the deadlock through Kerstin Garefrekes only for Olesya Kurochkina to immediately equalise. But a Ksenia Tsybutovich own goal restored Germany's advantage and substitute Martina Müller struck in added time as Silvia Neid's side prepare to travel to Finland with the aim of winning a fifth straight European title.

Kochneva save
Having been held 0-0 by Japan last week, Germany were keen to come closer to the previous performance in defeating the Netherlands 6-0, while Russia were aiming to avoid a sixth defeat in eight fixtures this year. Russia began with Elena Kochneva in goal as Elvira Todua is suffering from a knee injury and on 35 minutes she stopped a deflected Garefrekes shot while Kim Kulig went close from a Linda Bresonik free-kick. Earlier in the half Elena Fomina had an effort from 15 metres out.

Goals
Home coach Silvia Neid did not make an half-time changes and her side were soon in front, Birgit Prinz's cross flicked on by Inka Grings to Garefrekes, who made no mistake in front of goal. Russia had an immediate answer through Kurochkina from inside the box. Ten minutes later it was 2-1 when Bresonik's free-kick was headed into her own net by Tsybutovich under pressure from Grings, and although Kochneva kept Russia in the game and Elena Danilova had a chance at an 87th-minute equaliser blocked by Ariane Hingst, Germany made sure of victory through Müller's shot.

Neid relieved
Neid, whose team open their Group B campaign in Tampere on 24 August against Norway before taking on Iceland and France, said: "It took us time today to get into the game against a Russian side strong in the tackle. We forgot how to finish in the first half, but the performance got better in the second, when we put more and more pressure on our opponents and created more chances."

Russia lesson
Russia coach Igor Shalimov added: "We can only learn from these games against strong sides. The Germans showed their ability. We now know what to expect from EURO." His team complete their friendly programme next Thursday against the Netherlands in Moscow and in Group C from 25 August take on Sweden, England and Italy.

Germany: Angerer; Stegemann, Krahn, Hingst (Bartusiak, 65), Peter (Fuss, 82); Bresonik, Kulig; Garefrekes, Prinz (Müller, 87), Laudehr (Bajramaj, 57); Grings (Da Mbabi, 69).

Russia: Kochneva; Dyachkova (Kozhnikova, 46), Tsybutovich, Pertseva, Suslova; Savchenkova, Skotnikova; Morosova, Fomina (Rogova, 84), Sochneva (Danilova, 61); Kurochkina.