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Germany aiming to complete the set

Germany’s Fatmire Bajramaj, left, takes the ball past England’s Casey Stoney during their international friendly in Munich, Germany, on July 17. PHOTO: EPA

World champions Germany will be searching for the one major soccer crown that has eluded them when the women’s soccer tournament opens the Beijing Olympics tomorrow.

But coach Silvia Neid refrained from making any bold predictions when she selected a vastly experienced Games squad of 16 players, all from the victorious team who defended the World Cup title in China last year.

Along with perennial rivals and two-time Olympic champions the US, she also singled out Brazil, Norway, North Korea, Sweden and China as all strong contenders in the 12-team competition.

“At least I am convinced that we have a very strong team for the Olympics,” said Neid, whose so-called “golden generation” of players include star defender Ariane Hingst, playmaker Renate Lingor and striker Birgit Prinz.

Soccer, which kicks off two days before the official Games opening because of its packed schedule, features the world’s top women players, unlike the men’s competition which has an under-23 age restriction.

The German women have a packed trophy cabinet, including the past two World Cups and four UEFA women’s championships, but they only have two bronze medals from the three Olympic Games where women’s soccer has been contested.

At Olympic level, the US have an impressive record, winning in 1996 and 2004 and being beaten by Norway by a sudden-death goal in the 2000 final.

They have also retained most of the squad who won the play-off for third in last year’s World Cup, although notably they are without striker Abby Wambach, who broke her leg in a pre-Olympics friendly with Brazil and pregnant captain Kristine Lilly.

The US will enjoy a relatively easier pool than Germany, being grouped with Sydney Olympic champions Norway, Japan and New Zealand.

Germany will be tested in the “pool of death” with a first-up game against Brazil followed by North Korea and African champions Nigeria.

Hosts China head the third pool, which includes Argentina, Canada and Sweden.

Asia’s traditional standard-bearers and silver medalists in Athens, completed their Olympic build-up with a 0-0 draw in a friendly with the US.

Behind Germany and the US, Brazil loom as a potent force led by outstanding striker Marta Vieira da Silva, the FIFA World Player of the Year in 2006 and last year. She was also the Golden Ball and Golden Shoe winner in last year’s World Cup, where Brazil were beaten 0-2 by Germany in the final, following their 1-2 loss to the US in the previous Olympic final.

Tomorrow’s first-round women’s soccer matches:

Group E (in Tianjin)

• Argentina v Canada (5pm)

• China v Sweden (7:45pm)

Group F (at Shenyang)

• Germany v Brazil (5pm)

• North Korea v Nigeria (7:45pm)

Group G (at Qinhuangdao)

• Japan v New Zealand (5pm)

• Norway v US (7:45pm)
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