Finland 2-3 England
The Nordic Tournament 2006
6pm, Sandnes, Norway

England got their 2006 Nordic U21 Cup campaign off to a winning start in Sandnes, Norway yesterday with a 3-2 victory over Finland.

Finland took the lead on 28 minutes through an own goal but The Three Lions restored parity seven minutes later. Everton's Michelle Evans put over a teasing cross and her clubmate Kelly McDougall took a good first touch before swivelling and driving her shot across the 'keeper.

England took the lead on 59 minutes when the marauding Jill Scott netted, and at that stage, Head Coach Brent Hills brought on the experienced trio of Lianne Sanderson, Anita Asante and American based striker Jodie Taylor.

Asante brought an immediate composure to the midfield as England created three or four good chances, before Taylor got on the scoresheet on 82 minutes.

The Finns pulled a goal back on 90 minutes with a long range strike, but England held on to earn a morale-boosting three points with a young starting eleven.

Despite bossing possession, Brent Hills' side will be looking to tighten things up when they face Sweden in Sola tomorrow.

Germany defeated Sweden 2-0, with Simone Laudehr's 68th minute goal added to by a late Lydia Neumann strike in the other Group B game.

The USA kicked-off their Nordic U21 Cup campaign with a 3-0 win over Denmark. India Trotter's goal was swiftly added to by Danesha Adams, with Katie Griffin wrapping it up in the last couple of minutes.

The USA top Group A after the first round of matches with Iceland in second place after a good 3-2 defeat of Norway.

Margeret Lara Vidarsdottir scored the first of her brace on 24 minutes, Anneli Giske levelled ten minutes later but Greta Mjoll Samuelsdottir restored the lead by half-time.

Vidarsdottir's second followed five minutes after the restart, with Guro Knutsen pulling a goal back around the hour mark.

TheFA.com will be bringing reaction from the first game from Head Coach Brent Hills later today.

England: Nicola Hobbs (Lincoln City), Rachael Exon (Wimbledon), Shelly Cox (Bristol Academy), Laura Bassett (c) (Birmingham City), Fern Whelan (Everton), Stephanie Houghton (Sunderland), Jill Scott (Sunderland), Kelly McDougall (Everton), Amy Kane (Everton), Michelle Evans (Everton), Gemma Davison (Arsenal)

Substitutes: Michelle Hickmott (Charlton Athletic) for Shelly Cox, 65minutes; Katie Holtham (Bristol Academy) for Laura Bassett, 80 minutes; Anita Asante (Arsenal) for Amy Kane, 60 minutes; Lianne Sanderson (Arsenal) for Gemma Davison, 60 minutes; Jodie Taylor (Oregon State University) for Rachael Axon, 60 minutes; Siobhan Chamberlain (Bristol Academy), Natasha Hughes (Charlton Athletic)