Germany's youngsters turned on the magic in a national women's team warm-up match on Friday night ahead of this year's women's World Cup, helping the defending champions to a 5-0 thumping of Italy.

The Italians went a goal down on 32 minutes after defender Roberta D'Adda netted an own goal, putting the score at 1-0 at the half.

Young star Alexandra Popp, fresh after a half-time substitution, doubled the lead only a minute after the break, and 20-year-old Kim Kulig made it 3-0 after 62 minutes, following up on her goal against North Korea last month.

Celia Okoyino da Mbabi, 23, hit the fourth goal only seven minutes later, and Popp secured her brace in the 77th minute after a final pass from Okoyino da Mbabi to leave the score at 5-0.

Germany will play further warm-up matches against Holland and Norway ahead of the team's opening World Cup fixture at Berlin's Olympic Stadium against Canada on June 26.

Author: Darren Mara (AFP, dpa)
Editor: John Kluempers