Russia rise to the top
Monday 2 January 2006
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Russia celebrate their final success in Hungary (©UEFA)
A youth tournament is by definition just as much about the future as the competition itself, so the eight sides who played in the 2005 UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship finals in Hungary doubtless already had one eye on what was to come.
World Championship
For five of that octet, there was another tournament to look forward to - the 2006 FIFA U-20 Women's World Championship. Russia, as hosts, had already qualified, but their magnificent run that culminated in the penalty shoot-out victory against France means bore the proud title of European champions.
Russian triumph
They were not the ante-post favourites, but like Spain in 2004, Russia showed the right mixture of flair and guile to beat more fancied opposition in England, Germany and France - who had defeated Valentin Grishin's side 4-0 on Matchday 1. Having a striker like Elena Danilova, whose total of nine finals goals was a competition record, helped.
France pipped
France could feel positive having reached their third final in four years. They were after all only one penalty from victory when their otherwise immaculate goalkeeper Sarah Bouhaddi hit the bar. Bouhaddi, Elodie Thomis and Louisa Necib were of course already well known from UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2005™, but the emergence of Marie-Laure Delie and Inès Dahou - both still only 17 - was also cause for optimism.
Germany denied
Considering their domination at senior level, and their status as world U19 champions, Germany were tipped to succeed in Hungary, and the semi-final loss to Russia could be considered a disappointment. But only in Germany, so blessed with women's talent, could Célia Okoyino Da Mbabi and Simone Laudehr not already be senior regulars. And, of course, they suffered a similar disappointment in the 2004 final, and went on to become world champions - a feat they could repeat in Russia.
Finnish improvement
The other defeated semi-finalists, Finland, were far more satisfied in replicating their senior team's run, considering their only previous finals appearance, as hosts in 2004, ended with three defeats. Half their squad were born before 1986, so Linda Sällström among others could be the basis of strong campaigns in the future, with a passage to Russia the icing on the cake.
Swiss success
Switzerland themselves also gained a World Championship place after defeating England in a play-off for fifth spot - setting them for hosting this event in 2006. Their win against England was a victory for their workrate and commitment, as well as the ability of, among others, Vanessa Bürki and Martina Moser.
British rivals
England and Scotland were unlucky to have eventual finalists Russia and France in their group stage pool, but England only missed out by the narrowest of margins, and Scotland had the joint-best record in qualification with the eventual champions and acquitted themselves well in their first finals.
Hungarian experience
The hosts Hungary also failed to tally a point in their first showing in the finals, although they learned plenty ahead of their attempt to qualify for the following year's edition. The improvement of Finland in the previous 12 months was testament to the importance of such experience.
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