Sweden squeeze home
Thursday 2 June 2005
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Trine Rønning (left), went on to star for Norway's senior side (Getty Images)
In the second UEFA European Women's Under-18 Championship, 27 nations were hopeful of taking the title from inaugural winners Denmark.
Record win
As in the previous season, the preliminary round started with a goalscoring flurry. In the very first game, Russia came from 2-0 down to hold Group 5 hosts Finland before defeating Lithuania 14-0. Finland now needed to better that to progress, and promptly claimed a tournament record 20-0 win - five players scoring hat-tricks and 15 goals coming after the break.
Sweden respond
Previous record-holders Sweden responded in kind 18 days later with a 20-0 scoreline of their own against Bosnia-Herzegovina: Malin Gustafsson and Helena Hasselberg both striking six goals each. The Swedes and Finns were eventually joined in the last eight by unbeaten group winners Italy, France, England, Norway, Germany and holders Denmark.
England bow out
England were the only team not in their first quarter-finals, and they made amends for a loss on goal difference at this stage in the previous edition to edge past the Netherlands by the same reckoning. However, their campaign went no further as a 3-1 home defeat by Norway was followed by a 1-0 loss in Kolbotn.
Holders out
By then Denmark's reign was over, as having already lost 3-1 at home to Sweden they fell 5-2 in the return - a game that was goalless at the break. France, beaten finalists in 1998, also lost, as despite a 2-1 first-leg win against Germany they were overwhelmed 5-0 in Oberkirchen, conceding the last two goals after defender Sonia Bompastor had received her second yellow card.
Italy through
Italy completed the last-four lineup by seeing off Finland on away goals. A 0-0 draw at home was followed by a 1-1 scoreline in Vaasa, with Simona Sodini's 31st-minute opener rendering Jenni Sibelius's late strike for the Finns worthless.
Final mini-tournament
The four survivors now travelled to Östergotland in Sweden for a mini-tournament that was, uniquely, to decide the champion. Italy established the early initiative, as they defeated the hosts 3-1 despite being reduced to ten players late on, while Germany beat Norway 2-1.
One-point gap
Two days later, Hasselberg struck eight minutes from time to give Sweden a 1-0 win against Germany, allowing Italy to open up a one-point lead thanks to a scoreless draw against a Norway side who had Anita Eftedal sent off. With the last games played simulateously, Italy knew they could secure the title with victory against the Germans, but Marion Wilmes and Tanja Wörle struck in the last 28 minutes for Silvia Neid's side.
Hosts celebrate
Had Norway held on to the 1-0 lead against Sweden given to them on seven minutes by future senior star Trine Rønning, Germany would have taken the title. But Hasselberg equalised 13 minutes later and just after the half-hour Ida-Linn Mats gave the hosts a 2-1 advantage they never lost, first place in the group and the championship - Germany denied the title on head-to-head record.
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