China skip Wang Bingyu (C) throws the stone during the first round match against Germany in the World Women's Curling Championships in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, March 20, 2010. China lost 6-8. [Xinhua/Zou Zheng]

Defending world champion China lost its opener to Germany at the world women's curling championship here on Saturday.

Wang Bingyu, China's team leader, jockeyed in front of Germany's Andrea Schoepp 5-3 after five ends, then faltered and was outscored 5-1 over the last five in an 8-6 decision favoring Germany.

"We made many mistakes in the game," said Wang, the bronze medalist in the recent Vancouver Olympic Games curling tournament, when interviewed by Xinhua after the game.

"Our players don't feel so good about it and it was the first game for us and a tough game and that is not bad for us," said Wang, adding that her team also lost its opener in the recent Vancouver Olympic Games.

It wasn't a problem a year ago at Gangneung, South Korea, either, when China lost its opener to Canada and then rang up a 12-game winning streak to claim the world title.

Wang said that she hoped they would present a better performance in the next game.

The world women's curling championship will run through March 28, with 12 teams contesting for the trophy.