Belarus

England win U20 EURO2009

England have secured the first international title for English football ( male or female ) since in 1993.
Sweden started the game well but that lasted some 5 minutes as England dominated the game from the start constantly attacking from the sides. The Everton 3 forward line lead by goal getting birthday girl Toni Duggan played as well as they have this tournament.

Sweden had changed their team from the one that was beaten 3 – 0 by England in the first game of the group stage. 5 players had been changed and it made no difference as Calle Barrling’s team made no impact in this final. It was a shame as some thought that the long fought win over France in the semi-final took something out of Sweden.

Isobel Christiansen was always running pushed up into the Swedish box her shot in the early stages well saved by Hilda Carlen. The corner led to Arsenal’s Gilly Flaherty striking the post off a volley and the defence quickly scrambled the ball away.

 

Flaherty who missed out on playing in the U20 World Cup showed why she is one of the best young players in defence. She played well out of her usual centre back position but this was a day when the whole England team played well.

Flaherty helped another move down the left that ended with the ball in the box to Christiansen who reversed the ball to Jade Moore who one touched it through to Duggan who side footed the ball into the goal. As England celebrated the next couple of minutes were telling.

The Swedish team looked down and out even though they had come back from behind twice during this competition. Their only tactics were to kick the ball long to lone forward Jackobsson. She did not have either the pace or skill to get past 4 defenders and she didn’t do well in holding the ball for her team who simply looked at her in their non supporting daze.

England have not conceded a goal during the tournament with 9 clean sheets and this was assured when a corner scrambled out to Lucy Bronze who ran to the loose ball to hit it straight past Carlen.

Jenny Hjohlman was brought on but made little difference as England continued to attack. As the second half counted down you could see the joy starting to appear on coach Marley’s face, as it slipped from the Swedish players. Unfortunately their formation even in the last 10 minutes had not changed and it seemed as though they were waiting for the game to end.

It did as England became the new U20 EURO Champions.

Anja  xoxo

anjamoller@footballgirl.com