Head coach Silvia Neid said yesterday Germany’s women can afford to take nothing for granted when they defend their World Cup title on home soil in 2011, despite being handed a relatively easy draw.

Germany will face France, Nigeria and Canada in Group A of the 2011 Women’s World Cup which starts at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium on June 26 when the hosts face Canada.

“We are very pleased with the group,” Neid said after the draw in Frankfurt. “But you certainly cannot say that we are already in the quarter-finals.

“Under no circumstances will we take our opponents lightly.”

Brazil, beaten 2-0 by Germany in the 2007 Women’s World Cup final, have been drawn in Group D against Australia, Norway and Equatorial Guinea.

The United States, who finished third in 2007 after beating Norway 4-1 in the play-off, are in Group C with North Korea, Colombia and Sweden.

England are in Group B with Japan, New Zealand and Mexico.

The final will be held in Frankfurt on July 17.

The draw
Group A: Germany (host nation), Canada, Nigeria, France.
Group B: Japan, New Zealand, Mexico, England.
Group C: US, North Korea, Colombia, Sweden.
Group D: Brazil, Australia, Norway, Equatorial Guinea.

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