History
Friday 27 April 2007
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Photos/Wallpapers »There have been tenn UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship finals and Germany have claimed exactly half the trophies. They won a hat-trick of titles between 2000 and 2002 before claiming a fourth and fifth in Switzerland and Iceland over the last two years, a dominance underlined by the fact that no other country has ever won more than once.
Denmark honour
Germany failed to get beyond the semi-finals when the tournament began life as a U18 competition in 1997/98, knocked out by eventual winners Denmark. The trophy stayed in Scandinavia the following season as Sweden prevailed before Germany gave warning of what was to come, claiming back-to-back titles following victories over Spain and Norway. The format was changed to U19s in 2001/02, but it did not spoil Germany's run as the 34 teams were whittled down to eight for the finals and then just two: themselves and France. Like two years earlier Germany again triumphed, winning 3-1 in Helsingborg.
France triumphant
It was France's second final defeat, having also lost the inaugural tournament, but they made it third time lucky in 2003. Hosts Germany were eliminated in the group stage, opening the door for France to overcome Norway 2-0 in Leipzig to finally engrave their names on the trophy. Germany appeared back to their awesome best the following season, plundering a tournament record 23 goals en route to the final including a 7-0 victory over Spain in the group stage. But it was a different matter in the rematch for the showpiece as Spain held on for a 2-1 win in front of 2,600 – another finals record.
Russian success
Spain failed to qualify to defend their title in Hungary in 2005 as their qualifying round conquerors France won through to face Russia in the final. Russia led 2-1 with six minutes remaining only for France to force the game into extra-time. However, Russia eventually prevailed 6-5 on penalties, with Elena Danilova their star with nine goals in the final tournament.
Germany dominant
Danilova was leading scorer again in 2005/06, with seven in the finals and 17 in the competition overall. Yet Russia lost 4-0 to Germany in the semi-finals, and Maren Meinert's side went on to defeat France 3-0 to clinch their fourth success, twins Isabel and Monique Kerschowski each scoring in both of those matches. Both were involved again in 2007 in Iceland, and Monique struck in the final to secure a 2-0 win against England in extra time, Nathalie Bock having opened the scoring.
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