England kicked-off their European Championship campaign on Friday night with a v
Sweden 1-2 England
UEFA Women's Under-19 Championship
Stadt Markranstadt, Liepzig
Friday 25th July 2003 England kicked-off their European Championship campaign on Friday night with a victory against one of the tournament favourites Sweden.
Captain Fara Williams secured her Woman of the Match performance with England's winner in the 89th minute.
Arsenal winger Alex Scott had capitalised on some good early play from England in the first half with the opening goal. Defender Jo Traynor headed on a Katy Ward throw-in into the box, which bounced for Scott to wrap her foot around the ball and into the top left corner to put England in the lead on 40 minutes.
Sweden came out after the break pushing for the equaliser and it came on 57 minutes. The Swedish captain Yolanda Odenyo sent a header goalbound direct from a corner, which deflected off an England defender's head and into the net past California-based goalkeeper Karen Bardsley, who was making her debut for England.
Both sides had chances to win the game and Bardsley did well to command her area, saving a couple of one-on-one chances.
Late on in the game though, England ensured that they had the best possible start to the group stage. The lively Potter was again involved sending a diagonal through ball for substitute Sheuneen Ta to chase. Midfielder Ta cut the ball inside for her Arsenal team mate Anita Asante, who made two good touches before playing back to Williams. Williams volleyed the ball with her first touch from 25 yards out and it went through the goalkeeper's hands and into the net.
A tense five minutes of injury time ensued, with Sweden pushing hard to get something out of the game, but the whistle blew to signify a well deserved England victory.
England now have a day of rest before facing their second group game against Italy on Sunday with a 2.00pm GMT kick-off in Germany. Italy secured a surprising 2-0 victory in their opening game against the host side Germany. The result was all the more surprising because the Germans have won the last three annual European Finals at this age group.
Teams
Sweden: Maria Edman, Anna Paulson, Maria Nilsson, Yolanda Odenyo (c), Maria Karlsson, Caroline Seger, Nilla Fischer, Johanna Almgren, Maria Norgbrandc, Jennie Andreason, Natalie Tingvall.
Goals: Odenyo 57
England: Karen Bardsley, Shelly Cox, Jo Traynor, Hayley Kemp, Anita Asante, Jo Potter (sub 90 mins Michelle Evans), Fara Williams (c), Kelly McDougall, Alex Scott (sub 81 mins Faye Cardin), Kayt Ward, Eniola Aluko (sub 75 mins Sheuneen Ta).
Subs: Carly Telfird (GK), Sheuneen Ta, Georgie Adams, Beth Bailey. Suspended: Emma Thomas (sending off in Second Group Stage)
Goals: Scott 40, Williams 89
Group A results
England 2-1 Sweden
Germany 0-2 Italy
Group B results Norway 2-2 France
Netherlands 2-1 Spain