The women’s national soccer team has taken another step towards a successful European title defense by beating Italy 2-1. The German women are to face either Sweden or Norway in the semifinals.

Although some observers thought Italy was the better team in Friday’s match played in the Finnish city of Lahti, Germany came out on top.

Grings with two goals

Striker Inka Grings, who plays her club soccer for the UEFA Cup champions, FCR Duisburg, scored Germany’s first goal, after taking a pass from Melanie Behringer and making a quick turn to open up space for a shot from inside the penalty area. Despite a knee injury that she suffered against Iceland, Grings, together with fellow striker Birgit Prinz, was solid throughout Friday’s match

After Germany took the 1-0 lead, the six-time European champion Italy controlled the ball for most of the first half, but was unable to get through the German defense. Grings increased Germany’s lead to 2-0 shortly after the break, with a tap-in following a cross by Simone Laudehr.

Germany looked set to cruise through the second half, until Patrizia Panico put Italy on the scoresheet in the 63rd minute.German striker Inka GringsBildunterschrift: Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift: Inka Grings celebrates after her first goal on Friday

Germany’s goalkeeper, Nadine Angerer, was solid between the sticks in injury time, making a number of saves to preserve the victory for the German women, their 24th straight in European Championship play.

The semifinal match against either Norway or Sweden is scheduled for Monday evening in the Finnish capital, Helsinki.

– AP