Germany thrash Argentina in opener

SHANGHAI, China -- Holders Germany began the fifth women's World Cup on Monday with a stunning 11-0 rout of Argentina -- the biggest win in the tournament's history.

Prior to the match the United States -- the top ranked team in the world who will play their first game against North Korea on Tuesday -- were the firm favorites to win the tournament, but Germany proved they will be major forces with this stunning victory.

They turned the opening Group A match into a procession of goals that astonished the Argentines, and indicated that they will be serious contenders to retain the trophy they won in 2003.

The opening game became an embarrassment for Argentina inside the first 30 minutes when Germany went 4-0 up. Within the hour, the score was 8-0 and the Argentines had buckled for good.

The Germans were in double figures with more than 10 minutes still to run when striker Sandra Smisek scored the 10th goal in the 79th minute. That completed her hat-trick after hitting the target in the 57th and 70th minutes

Another hat-trick went to Germany's legendary striker Birgit Prinz, 29, playing in her fourth World Cup. She scored in the 29th, 46th and 59th minutes to become the nation's leading scorer of all time in World Cup play with 12 goals.

The FIFA World Player of the Year in 2003, 2004, and 2005, has been capped more the 150 times and scored more than 100 goals for her country.

Argentina were beaten 6-0 by the Germany in the group stage of the 2003 World Cup, their only previous appearance in the tournament finals.

Germany opened the scoring after 12 minutes when Argentina goalkeeper Vanina Correa knocked the ball into her net for an own goal.

She scored another own goal in the same fashion on the whistle that ended Argentina's misery. Other goals were poached by Kerstin Garefrekes, Melanie Behringer, and Renate Lingor.

Sixteen teams in four groups are competing in the World Cup in five Chinese cities. The final is on September 30th in Shanghai. E-mail to a friend