TURIN, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Germany won the women's speedskating team pursuit gold medal at the Winter Olympics on Thursday beating Canada in the final.

Germany's Daniela Anschuetz, Anni Friesinger and Claudia Pechstein immediately took the lead and were never really threatened.

Canada's Kristina Groves, Clara Hughes and Christine Nesbitt picked up the silver.

Russia took the bronze after Japan, who had been leading, fell halfway through their contest.