It has been a busy 2008 for England after competing in European and World Finals.

It has been a very busy 2008 for England Women's U19s after competing in European and World Finals.

Mo Marley's side have faced no fewer than 20 games this year as they first completed qualification for the 2008 UEFA European Championship Finals in France during July, before kicking off their next Euro campaign and travelling half-way across the globe for the FIFA World Cup.

Their year would start and end in Chile with defeats to USA as February saw them acclimatise to the conditions in South America during a mini-tournament, but after three games they returned with just a draw to show for their toil.

Another mini-tournament, this time in Spain in March was preparation for the European Championship Second Qualifying Round. Two defeats at a victory in La Manga didn't dampen their spirit as, in April, three wins in Poland against the hosts, Belgium and Iceland set them on their way to the Finals.

One last match at the end of the 2007-08 campaign yeilded another win, 3-0 over Italy, to boost confidence ahead of the Finals in France.

However, when July arrived, defeat to Germany in their opening game meant they needed to win both of their remaining games to progress to the knock out stages.

A win against Scotland put them in a good position and when one of their star players of 2008, Toni Duggan, put them 1-0 up early in their last group game against Sweden, things were looking good.

However, a late Louise Fors penalty earned a draw for the Swedes to send them through and England out. 

In Septmeber a new Euro campaign started and two wins and a draw during the First Qualification Round has set up a place in the second stage early in 2009. 

But arguably the highlight of the year was in Chile as they rounded off a good year at the World Cup.

It was actually their performance at the UEFA European U19 Championship in Iceland in 2007 that saw England book their place at the World Cup in November.

Mo Marley had a number of experienced players to call upon when they headed to South America with the FIFA tournament open to U20s, the majority of whom formed part of the successful team that reached the Final in Finland before narrowly missing out to Germany in extra-time.

And after waiting over a year to perform on the world stage Mo Marley's players showed what they have to offer.

They started well, brushing aside the hosts 2-0 with Brooke Chaplen and Duggan on the score sheet.

The second game was much tougher against a Nigeria side who had already beaten New Zealand. The game ended 1-1 and with Chile losing to New Zealand, England knew a point in their last game against the Kiwis would put them in the last eight.

But New Zealand had other ideas and took a 27th minute lead thorugh Sarah McLaughlin. Marley was sweating, as The Three Lions threw everything they had at their opponents.

And it finally paid off in the last minute. Duggan stood tall taking hold of her team's destiny.

On the edge of the box, she held off a defender to open up the space and drill into the top corner of the net, via the post to save England and line up a Quarter-Final showdown against the USA.

But just as her team begun 2008 they ended it with defeat to USA. The 3-0 scoreline somewhat flattered the Americans, who went on to lift the World Cup, but England's efforts highlighted a real potential for the future.