Contenders reflect on Algarve experience

Sweden emerged victorious in the Algarve Cup on Wednesday after a week of competition in Portugal involving six of the 12 teams which will compete at UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2009™ in Finland from 23 August until 10 September. uefa.com rounds up the results and reaction from the coaches. (For a full list of all 12 finalists' warm-up schedule click here.)

Sweden (winners)
Results: China 0-0, Finland 1-0, Germany 3-2, United States 1-1, 4-3 pens

Thomas Dennerby, Sweden coach
This was our match, and even if we had lost the penalty shoot-out we still would have brought positives with us away from here. They pushed forward with everything they had, and when they scored the goal they managed to overload our left side. We really should have won in normal time as we were the better team. This match didn't reach the level of the Germany match but we were strong and we won a lot of balls in midfield. That meant we could go forward quickly. There's a noticeable difference in how secure the team is when [Victoria] Svensson, [Therese] Sjögran and [Lotta] Schelin get going. They have played fantastic football but with good support from the others, who are just behind them. I could mention the whole squad.

Denmark (third)
Results: United States 0-2, Norway 2-0, Iceland 2-0, Germany 1-0

Kenneth Heiner-Møller, Denmark coach
I am very satisfied with the [win against Germany], and I think we saw a fine team effort from the entire side. Julie [Rydahl Bukh] scored a really fine goal through an assist from [Cathrine Paaske Sørensen] and we managed to keep the world champions from scoring, which I can only be content with. It gives me a really good feeling before the EURO in Finland.

Germany (fourth)
Results: Finland 2-0, China 3-0, Sweden 2-3, Denmark 0-1

Silvia Neid, Germany coach
Denmark's win was deserved. We were punished for the way we played. We tried in the second half but the players were very tired. The tournament went almost perfectly. We were here for individual players to learn, and we can take a lot with us from this tournament. The players who came here could make a case for themselves and I know which alternatives I have. Kim Kulig was our player of the tournament.

Iceland (sixth)
Results: Norway 3-1, United States 0-1, Denmark 0-2, China 1-2

Siggi Eyjólfsson, Iceland coach
Looking back at this tournament I can be pleased. We played very well against Norway and even better against the US, conceding a late winning goal. We didn't know what we were up against but wanted to know where we stand. We showed that, on a good day, we can beat anyone, but one game is one thing and a whole tournament is another. When we go to the finals in Finland the players will be in their best shape after the summer season in Iceland.

Finland (seventh)
Results: Germany 0-2, Sweden 0-1, China 0-1, Portugal 1-1, 4-2 pens

Michael Käld, Finland coach
It was positive we scored in the last game and also all four players were successful from the penalty spot. It was mentally important for us to get a win. I would be concerned if we didn't play well. We have done so, but the lack of goals has been the problem. Even in that sense, to score and to win in the last game of the cup was positive.

Norway (ninth)
Results: Iceland 1-3, Denmark 0-2, United States 0-1, Austria 2-0

Bjarne Berntsen, Norway coach
It was good to finish with a win, after the disappointments in the three earlier games. I am starting to see what resembles a good defence, which is pleasing as it is in that area which we have struggled. I would also like to single out captain Ingvild Stensland for praise. She has led by example, both on and off the pitch. The quality in the last third leaves a lot to be desired. We have created fewer chances than I would have liked, but we have several months to work on that before the finals.