Unlucky 13 for San Marino in German goal fest

Serravalle - World Cup semifinalists Germany made San Marino look every bit the 191st best team in the world with a shuddering 13-0 demolition on Wednesday in a Euro 2008 group D qualifier.

In so doing, Germany recorded their biggest-ever victory away from home in their 106-year history of international matches.

Coach Joachim Low was beaming afterwards.

"The team handled themselves very well, with a lot of professionalism, never losing rhythm and being clinical in front of goal.

"We scored some great goals and now we have a good base for the next matches."

Bayern Munich forward Lukas Podolski, who was named young player of the tournament at the World Cup, was like a kid in a candy shop and he blasted four goals.

While undoubtedly putting a gloss on his already impressive scoring record at international level, that feat will also raise his considerable stock even further.

Werder Bremen forward Miroslav Klose had a relatively frugal day compared to his strike-partner, bagging just two goals but took his overall total to 33 goals in 65 matches although still some way off the all-time leading German scorer Gerd Muller, who rattled up 68.

Thomas Hitzelsperger, with two, and Manuel Friedrich scored their first goals for the national side while Chelsea's Michael Ballack, Bernd Schneider, with a late penalty, and Bastian Schweinsteiger (two) also got their names on the scoresheet.

And having won their opening match against Ireland as well, Germany are sitting very pretty at the top of group D with six points from two games and a goal difference of +14.