England team guide
Sunday, March 31, 2013
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England have reached half of the last six women's U19 finals but have not had things all their own way over the past two years, including en route to the Welsh showcase.
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England may have reached three of the last six finals of the UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship – but they have also endured frustration during the last two seasons, failing to qualify in 2011 and exiting after the group stage last term.
Mo Marley's team looked set for more disappointment this time around as, having received a bye through the initial stage, they began the second qualifying round with a remarkable 5-4 defeat by Serbia.
After a comfortable 3-0 victory over Hungary kept their hopes alive, England went into their final outing against Norway knowing only another three-goal success would guarantee progress. They won 3-0, Nikita Parris sealing it with a fine solo effort – though events elsewhere meant 1-0 would have sufficed.
That booked a return to what England have come to see as their rightful place. WU19 semi-finalists in 2002 and 2003, the Three Lions then got to three finals in four years, finishing runners-up in 2007 and 2010 either side of their 2009 triumph – when they beat Sweden in the Belarus showpiece.
"We talked to the players about setting the path and not following the trail," boss Marley said. "Now this age group has done it, we'd like to think there was more to come. We hope this is only the start."
Route to finals
Second qualifying round: Serbia 4-5, Hungary 3-0, Norway 3-0 (Group 4 winners)
Top scorer: Katie Zelem (4)
Key players
Nikita Parris (forward, Everton LFC), Ellie Stewart (Liverpool LFC, defender), Katie Zelem (Liverpool LFC, midfielder), Sherry McCue (Aston Villa LFC, midfielder).
Manager: Mo Marley
Date of birth: 31/01/1967
Playing career: Everton, England
Coaching career: Everton, England women's U19
Marley captained England at the 2001 UEFA European Women's Championship before retiring with 41 caps. She continued playing at centre-back for Everton, the club she later coached in addition to working for as women and girls' development officer. Her efforts promoting the sport on Merseyside earned her an MBE – a civil honour – in 2005. She has been England's women's U19 coach since 2001, and in 2008 became the second Englishwoman to acquire the UEFA Pro licence.
In 2007/08 Marley claimed silverware at club level, her side beating Arsenal LFC to lift the League Cup. Glory followed on the international stage the next summer as Marley guided England to the WU19 title in Belarus at Sweden's expense. She followed that in May 2010 by steering Everton to their second FA Women's Cup triumph, overcoming Arsenal after extra time in the final. However, Marley relinquished those club duties in October 2012 to focus on her international role.
UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship record
2011/12: group stage
2010/11: did not qualify
2009/10: runners-up
2008/09: winners
2007/08: group stage
2006/07: runners-up
2005/06: did not qualify
2004/05: group stage (sixth)
2003/04: did not qualify
2002/03: semi-finals
2001/02: semi-finals
Honours in other UEFA women's competitions
UEFA European Women's Championship
Runners-up: 2009