England and Germany progressed to the quarter-finals of the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup Finals on Monday evening, as both recorded victories over Argentina and Japan respectively to send the beaten teams home from China earlier than they hoped. By downing Japan 2-0, the Germans secured their place at the 2008 Olympic Women's Football Tournament - the top three-ranked European teams at this World Cup will be UEFA's representatives in Beijing next year. Except England, who, because they are not representative of Great Britain as a whole, are not eligible to make the return journey to China next year. Norway are almost certain to be one of the trio of European sides at the Olympics, with the other place to be taken up by either Denmark or Sweden, who, if they are both eliminated at the end of the first round of Women's World Cup Finals action, will face a play-off to determine which of them will be back in China in eleven months' time. Back to the night's action, and Germany's strong first half showing ultimately saw them home in Hangzhou, Birgit Prinz firing home their opening goal in the 21st minute. Sandra Smisek hit the angle of post and bar just before half-time with a header in a match which saw Japan's goalkeeper, Miho Fukumoto, produce a string of saves to keep the title-holders at bay. She was beaten again three minutes from time by Renate Lingor, who slotted home a penalty which finally killed off Japan's stirring second half showing, as they needed to win this encounter to ensure their progress.

Welcome to Hangzhou! This guy seems to be fairly popular in China ... the late Chairman Mao, of course!

ensure their progress. Even had they drawn, “Nadeshiko” was destined to return home from China, a result of England mauling Argentina 6-1 in Chengdu. The English were two goals up inside the first ten minutes, Jill Scott supplementing the own goal Eva Gonzalez conceded to put Argentina en route to defeat. Fara Williams made it 3-0 from the penalty spot five minutes into the second half, and while Gonzalez put one in at the right end on the hour mark, two Kelly Smith strikes and a Vicky Exley penalty in stoppage time ensured Hope Powell's charges would make the last eight in style. “The Group of Death” is decided on Tuesday, with Nigeria and Sweden facing an uphill battle to survive. Both effectively have to score victories by three clear goals over the USA and North Korea respectively, to deny those nations of the chance to advance to the quarter-finals. Look out for a full report from Shanghai on the reigning Olympic champions' encounter with their African rivals, on a night when the Asian champions take on their European rivals in Tianjin, where the Football Ferns are now ensconced ahead of their clash with China on Wednesday evening. The 55,293-capacity Tianjin Olympic Centre Stadium is literally brand new - construction was completed in June. It's expected to be chock-full as the Chinese cheer the Kiwis on to victory at the Steel Roses' expense (! - yeah, right!!), so the biggest crowd New Zealand has ever played in front of is certain to produce one heck of an atmosphere, one which the Football Ferns are anticipating with relish.