Mueller thwarted by Westberg

At the other end, Germany captain Doris Fitschen was called into action when she made a last-ditch save to deny Ljungberg a certain goal.

Germany keeper Silke Rottenberg was also forced to make a fine double save, first from Linda Fagerstrom's drive and then Elin Flyborg's follow-up.

Sweden were eventually rewarded for their pressure when Ljungberg netted the tournament's first goal.

The goal prompted a stunned Germany into action, with Mueller at the heart of the hosts' attacks.

Twice she was denied by some resolute Swedish defending before grabbing the equaliser just before half-time.

Meinert swung in an accurate free-kick and Mueller, arriving late at the far post, headed home from close range on 42 minutes.

Mueller proved a handful for Sweden

After the interval, Sweden's eagerness to take the lead again invariably left gaps at the back.

And it was again Mueller again who made the most of the situation, diverting Pia Wunderlich's long ball into the back of the net on 65 minutes.

With Germany in the ascendancy, the home nation wrapped up the game in the 78th minute, Meinert adding the third.

Sweden's attacking threat was there for all to see, but they paid the ultimate price for not defending in equal measure.

Germany can now breathe a sigh of relief after comfortably overcoming the second strongest team in their group.