Womens 2007 World Cup; match 29

Semi Final, 26/9/07 in Tianjin.

Germany v. Norway

Germany: N.Angerer, K.Stegemann, A.Krahn, A.Hingst, L.Bresonik (S.Minnert 81), R.Lingor, S.Smisek (M.Mueller 65), S.Laudehr, K.Garefrekes, B.Prinz, M.Behringer (F.Bajramaj 40).

Norway: B.Nordby, C.Huse, A.Stangeland, T.Ronning, G.Folstad (S.Nordby 48), M.Knutsen, I.Stensland, S.Gulbrandsen (L.Storlokken 56), L.Larsen, R.Gulbrandsen, I.Herlovsen (L.Klaveness 45).

Germany started this semi final clash in confident mood but were unable to really unsettle their Norwegian opponents in the early stages despite controlling possession.

Sandra Smisek sent in a dipping shot from the edge of the box that would not come down in time but Norway responded with a free kick driven in low to the near post that Ragnhild Gulbrandsen prodded wide when she may have had time to collect close in but at an angle to goal.

Birgit Prinz was trying to muscle her way into the action and came forward for an effort from 25 yards that was well over. At this stage the Norwegians were keeping Prinz just about under control.

As the first half progressed Norway's assurance grew and their neat midfield combinations began to give them the edge. When they worked their way towards the German penalty area they created several promising positions but were unable to make any of them count.

Leni Larsen led a quick break with a forceful run down the right wing but was far too ambitious with a shot from distance and out wide that sailed straight into the arms of Nadine Angerer.

Ingvild Stensland drilled a corner back to the edge of the box where Solveig Gulbrandsen was waiting to strike a sweet half volley but her low effort flew straight at Angerer who still did well to field the ball cleanly.

Norway were committing more players forward as their dominance grew but this left them open to the counter attack themselves and just before half time Germany managed to break free.

Prinz bulldozed her way forward down the left wing and had almost reached the byeline when she sent the ball across the face of goal. There was no-one there to take advantage but Trine Ronning, racing back towards her own goal, felt obliged to try and intercept and could only divert the ball awkwardly into her own net.

Norway looked to respond immediately and should have been level before half time. Stensland sent a corner through a crowd of players almost on the goalline which three teammates might have turned in and when the ball was half cleared the Norwegians had two more chances to force the ball home from close range before it was finally cleared away properly.

Norway had been every bit as good as Germany in the first half but still trailed and they were unable to raise their game to such heights after the break.

From the start of the second period Germany took a grip on proceedings and rarely let it slip. Prinz now started torturing the Norwegian defence with her powerful running and looked a threat every time she got the ball.

Almost from the restart Prinz shrugged off Ronning with alarming ease and Smisek should have scored from her pull back rather than blaze over.

Norway worked one decent move between the two substitutes Lise Klaveness and Lene Storlokken with ended with Klaveness side footing wide of the angle from the edge of the box but most of the action was now concentrated on the Norwegian penalty area.

When Germany increased their advantage, however, it was with another huge stroke of fortune. Prinz forced her way to the byeline and set up the supporting Kerstin Stegemann for a shot but her effort needed a big deflection off Ane Stangeland to loop over Nordby and bounce in off the far post.

Within minutes any thought of a Norwegian rally was ended when Siri Nordby made a complete hash of a back pass from Stegemann's punted free kick and left Martina Mueller clear to slot home Germany's third.

Prinz continued to torment the defence and her power took her clear of Stangeland to set up Fatmire Bajramaj for a crisp shot that thudded into the bar and then she gave Renate Lingor a chance from the edge of the box but her effort was narrowly wide.

Norway were a spent force as the clock ticked down although Marie Knutsen did manage one smart turn to send in a low shot that Angerer had to push round for a corner.

There would be no consolation goal, however, and Germany march on to the final without having conceded a goal.

Full Time: Germany 3 Norway 0