Favourites see off plucky Hungary

By Kevin Ashby at Büki stadium

Hungary held Germany at bay for 50 minutes in Buk only to succumb to two second-half goals as the UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship favourites eased their way to maximum points in Group A.

Opening ceremony
Following a colourful opening ceremony, the hosts thrilled a sell-out crowd at this compact stadium by playing with great spirit and determination to nullify the world champions during the first half. The pressure finally told soon after the restart as Célia Okoyino Da Mbabi and Patricia Hanebeck struck within eight minutes to move Germany level with Finland - 4-2 conquerors of Switzerland - at the top of the pool.

Early control
As expected, Germany exerted early control with Okoyino Da Mbabi and captain Hanebeck dictating the flow of the game despite their side having a player less in midfield. Hungary coach Edina Markó had little choice but to get players behind the ball against the three-time winners of this competition, with this being their finals debut.

Sterling goalkeeping
For all their dominance, however, clear early openings were at a premium for Germany, with stoic defending on the cusp of the area and sterling goalkeeping from Mónika Stoiber keeping them at bay; three times the diminutive custodian denied players in white inside the opening 15 minutes. When she was finally beaten by Okoyino Da Mbabi's header, the crossbar came to her rescue.

Defending
With the nerves settled and the scoreboard reassuringly reading 0-0, Hungary began to play the one-touch football which has been the imprimatur of the country's play down the years. For all their effort, though, the hosts could not break through the German back line and last-ditch defending - particularly with respect to Okoyino Da Mbabi - was soon the order of the day once again.

Elegant player
The elegant central midfielder raced behind the Hungarian defence in the 26th minute yet could only volley Pintér's cross from the left over from five metres - a move which would be repeated almost exactly as half-time approached. In between those efforts, Okoyino Da Mbabi headed over from a similar distance and saw a searing drive from outside the box rebound to safety off the underside of Stoiber's bar.

German goals
Okoyino Da Mbabi finally broke through five minutes into the second half, heading in a fine centre from the left. Germany sensed their chance to kill off the game and did just that as Hanebeck stroked the ball in from close range after being found by Fatmire Bajramaj's low centre. Germany next play the Swiss on Friday, when Hungary meet Finland.