Sophia Schwabe’s double underpinned a dominant first half performance propelled Germany’s women to a 4-1 victory over France who endured a tough return to the top division after a 20-year gap.

The French did fight back in the second half as they overcame some stage fright but the Germans were too far out of reach.

After a quartet of incomplete corners, Sara Strauss set the ball rolling for the Germans, getting in behind the French defence to coolly flick into the net.

It came during a dominant phase and Schwabe was on hand when a hard ball into the circle popped off a couple of sticks and the forward was there to pick up the pieces.

Lena Micheel made it 3-0, poking in a pass from Schwabe and the striker then cashed in from a corner rebound, again keeping her composure before lifting the ball over Lucie Ehrmann.

It left the French four behind but they came out much stronger, pulling one back when Paola La Nindre’s disguised corner push went to Eve Verzura who got the diving touch.