Iraklion, Greece ? Mia Hamm began her final Olympics with a stutter-step that left her embarrassed Greek defender sprawling on the grass. Hamm then calmly passed the ball to Shannon Boxx, who scored the goal that sent the U.S. women’s soccer team on its way to a comfortable 3-0 victory over Greece on Wednesday on the first day of competition in the 2004 Olympic Games.

Hamm later added a goal of her own, outmaneuvering two defenders for a 16-yard shot that banked off the left post. In between, Abby Wambach continued her remarkable scoring run with her 15th goal in 16 games as the Americans overwhelmed a team that qualified for the tournament only because it represents the host nation.

“A 3-0 victory in our first game, you kind of get the butterflies out,” Hamm said. “And now we have to refocus on what we need to do in a couple of days.”

Women’s soccer is barely recognized in Greece, and eight of the team’s 18 players are Greek-Americans who have played for U.S. colleges. The Americans outshot their opponents 26-1, and Greece’s lone shot was wide of the net. Briana Scurry had her 70th career shutout without having to make a save.

“What we have tried to do is make a decent appearance, and we do believe we have achieved that,” Greek coach Xanthi Konstandinidou said.