Jones keeping up high standards

By Paul Saffer in Preston

They may have been the only team to have reached the UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2005™ semi-finals with a game to spare, but Germany will give no quarter in their last Group A game with France this afternoon according to experienced defender Stephanie Jones.

Previous triumphs
The centre-back, who helped keep clean sheets in the victories against Norway and Italy that have taken them through and also scored in the 4-0 triumph against the Azzurre knows all about these tournaments, having shared in the triumphs in 1997 and 2001, being named player of the match in the latter final against Sweden.

Victory wanted
However, even with the semi-finals looming in midweek, they have only one aim today - victory. "Our goal is to finish the first round with nine points," Jones told uefa.com. "So we want to win this next game and we know that France are a really good team. We will have to give it our best."

France tipped
France, who could only be eliminated if they lose today, have impressed in defeating Italy 3-1 and drawing 1-1 with Norway, but that did not surprise the Germans. Jones revealed: "Our coach said before the tournament that France were really, really good, one of the favourites and probably finalists. So we know what we are up against like we always do."

Slow starters
Jones even hinted that the old cliché about the German men's team being notoriously slow starters in final tournaments also applies to the female squad. "We didn't start very well against Norway but we always start a little slowly," the 1. FFC Frankfurt player said. "Against Italy we were way better and I hope we can continue getting better and more confident and keep playing well. Then it should work out."

'Stay calm'
As a defender, two clean sheets means things are already looking pretty promising. "It is always good when you don't concede," Jones said. "That gives the goalkeeper and defence confidence. But we had luck too. Our opponents have had chances to score. So we have to concentrate, focus on not making individual mistakes, stay calm and just play our game. If our midfield and forwards keep playing well, it will work!"

Arch-rivals await
Should they lose in Warrington, the holders must return there on Thursday to meet their arch-rivals, Sweden, beaten by Germany in the 2001 WOMEN'S EURO final, 2003 FIFA Women’s World Cup final, 2004 Olympic bronze medal match and most recently 2-1 at the Algarve Cup in February.

No room for error
Certainly Jones knows the Swedes were the team to avoid. "Sweden we've played so many times, I kind of hope we get someone else," she said. And therefore there will be no room for error this afternoon.

'End-to-end stuff'
Jones warned: "We never go into a game by calculating. We want to finish top of the group and that is what we are focusing on. It will be like a final - we have to win and they want to win. It will be tough as you have two teams that combine well with strong players and good strikers. It will be end-to-end stuff."