GERMANY MADE A grand start to the Women’s World Cup.

The host country defeated Canada 2-1 before a capacity crowd of 73,680 at Olympic Stadium yesterday after an opening ceremony watched by dignitaris and filled with pageantry.

Chancellor Angela Merkel, German President Christian Wulff and FIFA President Sepp Blatter were among those on hand for the official start of the three-week tournament.

During part of the opening ceremony, a globe positioned in the center of the field was “peeled” away to reveal a mirror ball reflecting fans in a festive mood. Hundreds of helium balloons that resembled soccer balls were then released to the sky.

Kerstin Garefrekes and Celia Okoyino Da Mbabi each scored to give the German fans reason to cheer, but Canada made it tight on Christine Sinclair’s free kick in the 82nd minute.

“The fans were great,” Germany coach Silvia Neid said afterward. “People had the feeling it could be getting close and they really got behind us. I thought it was a brilliant reaction.”

Sinclair played most of the second half with a broken nose for Canada.

“The doctors told me her nose was broken, but she asked me to let her play,” Canada coach Carolina Morace said. “I asked if it would be dangerous, but Christine is a smart player — she knows what she can do and what she can’t do.”

France beat Nigeria thanks to this goal, meanwhile.

- additional reporting AP