Germany easily rolled over Russia 7–1 in the first quarter-final from
Portland, Oregon. Always looking the better side, second-half braces
from Kerstin Garefrekes and Birgit Prinz see the European Champions
through to a mouth-watering semi-final showdown with defending World
Champions, the United States. Despite a late fight back and a goal
from the finals' youngest player Elena Danilova, Russia never looked
like giving fellow Europeans much trouble. And after a second-half
goal avalanche, the Germans confirmed their status as European
powerhouse supreme here at USA 2003 and also secured their place at
next year's Olympic Women's Football Tournament in Athens.
The Germans carried the game from the offing, and the Russians looked
content to soak up the pressure and burst out on their trademark
counter-attacks.

The first German chance came when Kerstin Stegemann crossed for
Martina Mueller, who headed across the goalmouth for Prinz. But the
gargantuan striker could only fire her close-range shot into a forest
of Russian legs (12').

The Germans continued to up the tempo, controlling midfield and the
majority of first-half possession. Stefanie Gottschlich had another
good chance to get the Germans on the board with a golden free kick
from the edge of the Russian box. But her swerving right-footed
strike sailed just over Alla Volkova's crossbar (19').

Germany finally got the crucial breakthrough when Maren Meinert's
precision through ball beat four Russian defenders and sent Mueller
clean in on goal. As Volkova raced off her line, the new striker
slotted the ball perfectly into the far corner (1-0, 25').

Renate Lingor nearly got one for herself just a few minutes later,
but her looping, right-footed shot was pushed over the bar by the
alert Volkova (28').

As the Germans kept up the pressure, Garefrekes raced in down the
right and somehow got on the end of a hopeful ball from Meinert.
Sliding to ground, she could only fire her shot wide of the target
(36').

With only a goal lead to show for the first half, the Germans came
right out after the break and nearly got their second goal straight
away as Mueller slammed a full volley from close range that was
deflected agonisingly wide of the target (46').

Ten minutes into the half, the European Champions got another goal on
the end of a Gottschlich corner. Defender Sandra Minnert rose best
above the crowd to slam her header past Volkova to put the Germans on
pace for a semi-final spot (2-0, 57').

Just seconds later, the Germans got their best goal of the day. the
impressive Gottschlich centered well on the ground, Prinz back-heeled
the ball brilliantly just 5 yards from goal and second-half
substitute Pia Wunderlich slammed the ball ferociously into the back
of the net (3-0, 60').

The rout was then on as Garefrekes hammered the ball through
Volkova's legs after Prinz headed another Gottschlich corner back
across the box (4-0, 64').
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