Germany lay down early marker

Germany made a victorious start to their UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship title defence as Monique Kerschowski's first-half goal proved enough to secure a 1-0 victory against Denmark.

Triumph
Monique Kerschowski scored in the 3-0 win over France in the final 12 months ago and she was on target again here as Maren Meinert's team set down an early marker in Group A. The right-winger struck on 20 minutes, meeting Nicole Banecki's cross on the edge of the area and dispatching the ball low inside the far corner. Germany may have lacked the fluency that marked their play in Switzerland last year but from then on the points were never in doubt.

Clinical finish
Denmark were given early warning as Germany fashioned a chance within the opening 60 seconds when the lively Banecki crossed to Stephanie Goddard. The ball fell behind the forward but she worked it into the path of Isabel Kerschowski who blazed over. That summed up the Germany No9's start as she struggled to find space with Denmark defending deeply, yet it was she who created the opener on 19 minutes. Pouncing on hesitancy between left-back Sanne Troelsgaard and goalkeeper Mie Juhl Koch, she knocked the ball back to Banecki who teed up Isabel's twin Monique to rifle in.

Denmark numbed
It was little more than Meinert's side deserved after dominating the opening period, though it brought chants of "Denmark" from the sympathetic crowd and the underdogs responded. Playing behind lone striker Emma Madsen, Nanna Christiansen started to venture further forward and soon threatened as she jinked past two defenders on the edge of the area, only to meet the towering presence of Carolin Schiewe. The Germany centre-back almost provided a similarly telling contribution at the other end when she went close to doubling Germany's advantage after the half-hour, rattling the crossbar as she rose to meet a Katharina Baunach corner.

German resilience
Denmark survived, but breaking down Germany's well-drilled defence would prove another matter. Meinert's charges were first on to the pitch after the interval and started where they left off, dominating the midfield and keeping Denmark penned in their own half. With chances at a premium Isabel Kerschowski came close to making it 2-0 on 73 minutes when Koch did well to smother the ball after a powerful run through the middle though it mattered not, as Germany eased to victory.