Boston Breakers Maren Meinert and Dagny Mellgren each scored as their respective teams — Germany and Norway — took the early lead at the European Championship in Germany. Host Germany spotted Sweden a 1-0 lead on June 23 before roaring back for three straight strikes. Meinert, who played the whole match up front, scored the last goal in the 78th minute and picked up a yellow card. Boston teammate Bettina Wiegmann played 90 minutes in midfield and Philadelphia’s Doris Fitschen played the whole match in the back for the Germans, who lead Group A with three points. Elsewhere in Group A, England tied Russia, 1-1, on June 24. Philadelphia’s Kelly Smith, slowed by an ankle injury for the Charge, entered the match as a 62nd-minute substitute for Angela Banks, who scored the lone goal for England. In Group B, Carolina goalkeeper Bente Nordby earned a shut out and her 100th cap as Norway defeated France, 3-0, on June 25. Boston’s Mellgren scored the Olympic champion’s final goal in the 40th minute. Hege Riise, Nordby’s Carolina teammate, played 90 minutes. Norway is tied for first place with Italy, which edged Denmark, 2-1, also on June 25. Patrizia Panico, who was pursued by Philadelphia in the preseason, scored twice for Italy. Lene Terp, who was briefly pursued by the Bay Area after it waived Amy Walsh, played 90 minutes in the back for Denmark. European Championship Group A June 23 in Erfurt, Germany Germany 3 Sweden 1. Goals: Claudia Mueller 42, 65, Maren Meinert; Ljungberg 14. Att.: 10,252. June 24 in Jena, Germany Russia 1 England 1. Goals: Alexandara Swetlitskaja 62; Angela Banks 45. Att.: 1,253. Standings

Team GP W L T GF GA P
Germany 1 1 0 0 3 1 3
England 1 0 0 1 1 1 1
Russia 1 0 0 1 1 1 1
Sweden 1 0 1 0 1 3 0
Group B June 25 in Ulm, Germany Norway 3 France 0. Goals: Monica Knudsen 14, own goal (Emmanuelle Sykora) 18, Dagny Mellgren 40. Att.: 3,100. June 25 in Aalen, Germany Italy 2 Denmark 1. Goals: Patrizia Panico 12, 72; Julie Bukh 74. Att.: 3,193. Standings
Team GP W L T GF GA P
Norway 1 1 0 0 3 0 3
Italy 1 1 0 0 2 1 3
Denmark 1 0 1 0 1 2 0
France 1 0 1 0 0 3 0