June 23, 2001

Host Germany wins inaugural match of UEFA Championships against Sweden

By Thorsten Frennstedt

Germany won the inaugural match of the European Championships on home soil in Erfurt 3-1 (1-1) against Sweden in front of more än 10.000 spectators, among them the Bundeskansler (Federal Chancellor) Gerhard Schröder.

Sweden played its best match since the draw against USA in the Algarve Cup earlier this year. Hanna Ljungberg put Sweden ahead after 15 minutes. The Swedes started much more compitative and realy believed in themselves to shake the European champion team. Two minutes before half time Claudia Muller equalized when Renate Lingor sent her free kick just in front of Sweden´s keeper Caroline Jönsson. A rare mistake by Sweden's defence, where Jane Törnqvist and Karolina Westberg had been playing brilliantly. Germany had many other chances to score. Sweden´s Hanna Ljungberg was denied a PK by the Finnish referee Katriina Elovirta in second half and Hanna was also close to regain Sweden the lead when the ball was cleared from the goal line. Claudia Muller scored her second goal in the 65th minute, and Maren Meinert (appointed MVP of the game) 3-1 in the 78th.