Photgraphy Copyright Tiago Merlot

by Sandrine Sonetti in Paris

Here is a selection of the best players who did not get the chance to play / played a little role on the big stage of European football.
EURO 2009 - Ghost Players

The European Championships this summer have come and gone and the footballgirl world is still excited at what the best players in Europe will bring in the future.

However many of tommorow's stars are making noise today every week at club level and while some national team coaches keep it 'safe' with players who have played many games we take a look at the Top 10 Ghost Players - Talented footballgirls who were there but we just did not see them??

 

Lianne Sanderson
Jersey No.: 17
Team: England
Position: Forward
Date of birth: 03.02.1988
Club: Chelsea LFC
As the last 10 minutes came during the final of EURO 2009 the English fans screamed with joy as Lianne was sent onto the field of play. The scorer of more than 100 goals in 2 seasons of play her move to Chelsea has yet to replay these scoring achievements. Made 3 showings as a late substitute in the finals but should have been playing from the start. The future of English football..and the WPS Philadelphia Charge 2010..England's loss is America's gain..

Alice Parisi
Jersey No.14
Team: Italy
Position: Midfield
Date of birth: 11.12.1990
Club: ASD CF Bardolino Verona
Wonderful midfielder who has a style unique to herself. Led the U20 team to the EURO championships with untouchable movement and passing. A true number 10 who plays behind the forwards in the hole and very intelligent for one so young. She needs to increase her speed and strength but will surely have her place over the next 10 years.

Linnea Liljegärd
Jersey No. 20
Team: Sweden
Position: Forward
Date of birth: 08.12.1988
Debut: 31.01.2009 v Norway Club: Göteborg FC

While we all watched Schelin's dissappearing act we also wondered why coach Thomas Dennerby did not start with Liljegard. At the time of writing she has scored 24 goals in the world's hardest league from inside, outside and from either foot, leading Kopparbergs/Goteborg to the top four of the Swedish league.

She was only called into the squad due to injury to Madelaine Edlund and it was a shame we did not see more of her.

 

 

Sara Lindén
Jersey No.: 19
Team: Sweden
Position: Midfield
Date of birth: 01.09.1983
Club: Göteborg FC
Debut: 27.09.2008 v Romania
Qualifying games: 1 – Goals: 0

Not the fastest of players at first sight but it is her movement off the ball which has seen Linden become one of the best forward players in Europe. She thinks two steps ahead and always seems to be in the right place when everyone else is not. This has seen her score 14 goals this season ( at the time of writing ) even at a team who do not play with a creative midfielder.

Unlike many of the new generation Linden arrived on the scene late making her first national team game at 25 years of age.

 

Danielle Buet
Jersey No.: 20
Team: England
Position: Midfield
Date of birth: 31.10.1988
Club: Chelsea FC
Always on the move wether in front of the defence or behind the strikers Duet is the future midfielder for England. Great close control if England and Chelsea can mould her properly then she can become one of the best passing midfielders they have ever had. A strong right foot she delivers a thump at free-kicks and corners. Debut in the 6-0 victory during England's win at the Cyprus Women's Cup in March 2009.

 

Anja Mittag
Jersey No.: 11
Team: Germany
Position: Forward
Date of birth: 16.05.1985
Club: 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam

Anja made only two appearances during the tournament as coach Silvia Neid kept with a team that did go on to lift the championship. This does not take away from a player who has always impressed as hard as it has been to play as a forward with German legend Prinz and one of the best forwards in the world (Inka Grings) having her best ever season.

Anja started all the games in the last EURO 2005 even as the youngest player in the squad. A year after top scoring in the 2004 U20 EURO and adding 6 at the U20 World championship the same year. Scored 21 goals last season for Potsdam.

It tells you something about how versatile she is as she plays well on both sides or as a forward. Most important of all she has survived from the 2002 U19 team while many great young players have not made it (Viola Odebrecht, Barbara Muller, Shelly Thompson). A fast, technical player who will have the national team forwrd role to herself when Prinz retires.

 

Ursula Holl
Jersey No.: 12
Team: Germany
Position: Goalkeeper
Date of birth: 26.06.1982
Club: FCR 2001 Duisburg

The good news is European Champions at club level, Duisburg had a real shot-stopper in goal in Ursula. The bad news is that she is playing behind one of the best goalkeepers in the world in Nadine Angerer. In one of the worst positions as a player it is hard to see where or when she'll get the chance apart from Algarve Cup and International friendly games. Life is hard at the top.

Honor roll
Sandrine Dusang - France
Lyon captain and a member of the French academy that has produced many of the national team. Dusang was seriously injured training during the semi -finals of the Champions league. Rushed through she was 2 weeks away from making the squad but French coach Bruno Bini could not take the chance.

Leena Puranen - Finland
Finland's best player and a midfielder in Sweden Leena Puranen was looking forward to the EURO 2009 in her homeland. That was until she broke her leg and tore her acl. A footballgirl from heart another player we did not get to see.

 

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