And the annual U19 European Championship is straight ahead, too! This year it's not only about the European title, but it's also the qualifying event for next year's U20 World Cup in Russia. All 4 semifinalists will qualify, so all teams will be eager to get there. Of course, if Russia, who is already qualified as the host, will reach the semifinal, there is one place open, about which a match between the thirds of both groups will decide. I guess there's a lot of rooting for the Russian team in the other group... Anyway, becuase of this constellation it should be interesting for non-Europeans too, to see which teams may be their opponents next year. Where? Hungary When? 07/20-07/31 Group A Hungary Germany Finland Switzerland Group B England France Russia Scotland The German team has a new coach, Maren Meinert, maybe known to some here because she had a not totally undistinguished career as player... She took over from Silvia Neid who became head coach of the A-team and had just one official match with the team so far (5-0 against Norway), it will be interesting how she adjusts (or how fast the team adjusts to her). Right now, the squad has its last preparation camp (four days, 07/11-07/14). Two matches are scheduled against the U21 team. The first one was lost 0-3 yesterday.
Uefa + FA has changed the result in a 3:1 victory for England. Dunno what it is with these results lately but their making a lot of mistakes. First they announce that Finland has won with 4:0 then it's suddenly 4:2.
Btw, I was also wondering if there is a website/ae websites with pictures of this tournament. I'd like to see some.
More second day match results Germany 5:2 Switzerland Russia 2:1 England Germany and Finland advance; Switzerland and Hungary out. Nothing decided yet in Group B, but England have put themselves in a tight spot, needing a result against leaders France in their last group match.
France and Russia march on (UEFA news): http://www.uefa.com/competitions/WUnder19/news/Kind=1/newsId=320177.html France wins Group B after a 1-1 draw with England. Russia wins 5-0 against Scotland (hattrick by Elena Danilova) which is enough to bring them to the 2nd place and the seimifinals. This means that there is a playoff needed to decide the 5th European team to participate at the U20 WC in 2006.
Further third match day results Germany 3:1 Finland Hungary 1:4 Switzerland Germany will play Russia in one semifinal and Finland will play France in the other. Switzerland and England will square off in the fifth-place match with a berth in the U-20 World Championship a reward for the victor.
Fifth place match Switzerland 2:1 England Switerland secure the final UEFA berth in the U-20 World Championship
1st Semifinal: Russia-Germany 3-1 (1-1) Goals for Russia: Elena Danilova (3). Goal for Germany: Celia Okoyino Da Mbabi.