Germany thrash China in Olympic women's football as USA down hosts

German Birgit Prinz (R) celebrates her second goal against China during their women's preliminary football match of the 2004 Olympics.

World champions Germany thrashed China 8-0 to open their campaign for Olympic women's football gold in devastating fashion as the United States trounced hosts Greece 3-0.

Inspired by a four-goal performance from women's international footballer of the year Birgit Prinz, Germany showed they have the class to add the Olympic title to their world title won last year.

It was a stunning defeat for China, 1996 silver medallists and once one of the strongest women's teams in the world but currently struggling to rebuild their squad after the retirement of legendary star Sun Wen.

Prinz fired Germany into the lead after 13 minutes of the Group F match in Patras played in fierce heat.

A marvelous cross to the far post by veteran right-back Kerstin Stegemann -- playing in her third Olympics - caused chaos in the Chinese defence and Prinz soared high to head home.

The Germans second goal was almost a carbon-copy. Again Stegemann found room down the right wing and curled in another teasing cross. This time Prinz met the centre with a spectacular low diving header that gave Xiao Zhen no chance.

Wunderlich made the game safe with a shot from the edge of the area on 65 minutes to shatter the feeble Chinese resistance.

Prinz completed her hat-trick to make it 4-0 as the floodgates opened. Renate Lingor made it five from the penalty spot before Conny Pohlers, Prinz with her fourth and Martina Mueller completed the rout.

In Heraklion, the United States didn't score as many but were no less convincing in their victory over the Greeks.

The United States dominated throughout, spending the entirety of the first half camped in Greek territory with the hosts struggling to gain possession.

It was not long before the Americans opened the scoring. Skipper and talisman Mia Hamm burst down the left flank and whipped in a low cross for Shannon Boxx who swept home from six yards out on 14 minutes.

Kate Markgraf (R) of the US fights for the ball with Dimitra Pantelei (L) of Greece during their Women's Football Group G match at Pankritio stadium at Heraklion, Crete Island.

Five minutes later the US added their second when Abby Wambach looped in a perfectly placed header after good work down the left by Kate Markgraf.

Hamm, one of the few superstars in women's football, completed the scoring with a superb late strike.

In other matches Wednesday, Japan flew the flag for Asia after China's miserable capitulation with a 1-0 win over Sweden.

Eriko Arakawa's 22nd minute strike settled the encounter in Volos, the Japanese forward netting on 22 minutes after a blunder by Sweden keeper Caroline Joensson.

A solitary goal also handed Brazil a 1-0 victory over Australia, attacker Marta rifling home on 35 minutes to give the South Americans an opening win over the Matildas in Salonika.

The Olympic football tournament got underway two days ahead of Friday's opening ceremony in Athens.