Odebrecht saves the day
Thursday 2 June 2005
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Germany celebrate Anja Mittag's goal against Sweden (©Getty Images)
A record 33 teams took part in what proved to be the last UEFA European Women's Under-18 Championship – but the latter stages had some familiar names.
First qualifiers
The qualifying form at was the same as the previous year, with three stages and a number of teams given byes. Belarus, Hungary, Turkey, Austria, Iceland, Wales, Scotland and Switzerland came through the first round, the latter two in a mini-tournament played on artificial turf in the Faroe Islands.
Big names come through
Of those teams the Swiss kept their run going a stage futher, defeating Group B1 runners-up Yugoslavia and eliminated Belarus and Israel. Inaugural winners Denmark came through behind the Czech Republic, with England, the Republic of Ireland, the Netherlands, 2000 runners-up Spain, Belgium and Russia also successful.
Spain survive
In the third round, Group A3 looked the toughest, matching the Spanish with England, 1998 winners France, the hosts, and 1999 champions Sweden. England, the only team not to have been in the 2000 top four, beat Sweden 1-0 in their first game as the other teams drew 3-3, and then held Spain 2-2 as France lost 4-1 to the Swedes. England then drew 1-1 with the hosts, but Spain's 2-1 win against Sweden took them into the finals on goals scored.
Perfect records
Progress was easier for holders Germany, Norway and Denmark as they won all their matches away from home. Norway looked to reverse that trend in the finals, now a straight knockout, as they were picked as hosts.
Hosts v holders
Things went Norway's way in the semi-finals, Solfrid Andersen striking the only goal in Moss against Denmark ten minutes from time. And it was to be hosts against holders in the final, Germany defeating Spain 2-0 with goals from Patrizia Barucha and Petra Wimbersky.
Danish bronze
Iben Gade's 74th-minute goal for Denmark gave them a 1-0 third-place play-off victory against Spain in Lillestrøm, but the real interest was in the game that followed. Marion Wilmes, who had scored in the final 12 months earlier, repeated the trick to give Germany a 1-0 lead on nine minutes, but Marie Knutsen levelled in the 32nd minute.
Odebrecht winner
Just before the hour, Wimbersky restored Germany's advantage, and although Knutsen equalised again on 83 minutes, Viola Odebrecht swfitly struck to ensure Silvia Neid's side retained the trophy.
German omen
It was also to prove an omen, as Wimbersky and Knutsen as well as Sarah Günther and Trine Rønning were all to go on to play in the UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2005™ final between these nations – Germany again successfully retaining their title, with Neid as assistant coach.
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