Germany and Norway draw

Germany 2-2 Norway
Two Germany equalisers ensured honours were even in Mainz after the UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2005™ finalists departed for the FIFA Women's World Cup with a friendly draw in front of 12,000 fans.

Early goal
Germany won the continental final two years ago and will be defending the World Cup in China next month, but it was the 1995 global champions that struck first as Leni Larsen Kaurin's cross-shot caught home goalkeeper Nadine Angerer out with just 40 seconds gone. The home side were shocked and nearly conceded a second yet after regaining some composure Melanie Behringer levelled on 22 minutes to end a fine team move. Six minutes later, however, another lapse at the back by Germany allowed Solveig Gulbrandsen in to restore the Norway advantage.

Prinz equaliser
Germany were an improved side in the second half and on the hour a fine solo run from captain Birgit Prinz took her round the Norway goalkeeper and she tapped into the empty net. Prinz, who was presented with her German women's footballer of the year award before the game, said: "Norway were the strong opponents we expected. But somehow we couldn't perform up to our standards today, we were scared and I don't know why." Her team begin their Group A campaign in China against Argentina on 10 September before meeting England and Japan; Norway are in Group C and meet Canada, Australia and Ghana.