Germany

2-0

England

Bock 107, Kerschowski 119

 

 

2007 UEFA Women's U19 Championship
Final
5pm (4pm local time), Sunday 29 July 2007
KR Vollur, Reykjavik

England's couragous European U19 Championship campaign was finally ended by Germany, as Mo Marley's side took the now five-time European Champions all the way in Reykjavik.

Goals from Nathalie Bock and Monique Kerschowski gave the Germans a 2-0 victory, but the winning goals were not struck until the second period of extra time due to some defiant defensive action that held off England's much fancied opponents.

Bock hit the net just two minutes after the restart to extra time, guiding the ball home from point blank range as the Three Lions were unable to clear a tricky corner and were punished duly by the German midfielder.

Monique Kerschowski added a decisive second moments from the end of the game, but enormous credit goes to Marley's side who reached their first final to give England even more reason to be proud of their women's achievements in a year that will see Hope Powell's senior side travel to China for the World Cup.

In a cagey first half with chances at a premium it seemed that nerves had gotten the better of both sets of players, with the game being broadcast live on Eurosport and the trophy at stake it was understandable for two young teams.

Fern Whelan and Sophie Bradley were once more a dominant presence at the heart of the English defence, proving a stubborn pairing that would not relent to the reigning European Champions at this level.

Moments into the second half Natasha Dowie gave England hope of opening the scoring, darting into the penalty box Dowie showed great skill but her final effort failed to hit the target and Germany breathed once more.

England coach Mo Marley reflected on the defeat positively: "Obviously we're disappointed to lose in the manner we did but that's the fine line between winning competitions and not.

"We had a game plan, it worked and we were confident we could get to extra time and then maybe penalties, and get something from it. It wasn't to be today but it's a new experience for all us and it shows what we can do.

"It's a foundation and now the bar has been raised and hopefully there are more finals to come. We were resilient, we were hard but I don't think we had enough quality to win the game - you have to have that extra bit of quality and Germany had that today. From tomorrow we'll start preparing for [the World Cup in] Chile."

Teams

Germany: 12 Alisa Vetterlein, 3 Katharina Baunach, 4 Stefanie Draws, 5 Carolin Schiewe, 8 Nathalie Bock, 10 Nadine Kessler, 11 Nicole Banecki, 13 Lisa Schwab, 2 Bianca Schmidt, 9 Isabel Kerschowski, 18 Stephanie Goddard

Substitutes: 1 Jana Burmeister, 6 Imke Wübbenhorst, 7 Monique Kerschowski, 14 Pia Marxkord, 15 Julia Simic, 16 Susanne Hartel, 17 Daniela Löwenberg

England: 1 Danielle Hill, 12 Chelsea Weston, 3 Sian Larkin, 5 Fern Whelan, 6 Sophie Bradley, 7 Jessica Clarke, 8 Danielle Buet, 10 Natasha Dowie, 14 Elizabeth Edwards, 17 Remi Allen, 9 Ellen White

Substitutes: 13 Rebecca Spencer, 2 Jayne Eadie, 4 Sophie Walton, 11 Claire Rafferty, 15 Kelly Lawrence, 16 Jade Moore, 18 Faye McCoye

Referee: Kirsi Savolainen (FIN)

Assistant referee: Lada Rojc (CRO) Helen Caro (SWE)

Fourth official: Esther Staubli (SUI)