End product eludes Sweden

Germany were the only benefactors of Sweden's 0-0 Group A draw with France as the stalemate ensured they became the first team to qualify for the semi-finals of the UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship.

'Best in the world'
Having suffered reverses in their opening games both teams went in search of goals at the Staffansvallen stadium, but it was a game in which the defences held the aces throughout. Bruno Bini, the France coach, said afterwards that the Sweden goalkeeper, Hedvig Lindahl, will be "the best in the world in three to five years", while his opposite number, Anna Signeul, lamented her side's continued failure to take their chances.

Early chance
Sweden, who lost 1-0 to Spain on Thursday, started strongly and Alexandra Udin fired the first chance of the match into the arms of France goalkeeper Geraldine Marty after three minutes. Nera Smajic's effort in the 13th minute, created with the aid of a neat one-two with Emma Lindqvist, met with a similar result.

Keeper beaten
Lindahl was beaten in the 34th minute but Camille Abily's 25-metre thunderbolt struck the crossbar and went behind to safety. Claire Morel, who scored both France's goals in the 3-2 defeat by Germany, had a chance to move level at the top of the scoring charts two minutes from the interval but Lindahl saved well to her right.

Close-range shot
Both keepers were in action soon after the restart, but the first meaningful chance of the half fell to Sweden in the 54th minute. Lindqvist whipped in a cross from the right which Marty failed to catch under pressure from two Swedish attackers, the ball fell to the inspirational Nilla Fischer but a defender somehow blocked her close-range shot and the danger cleared.

Rouquet agony
Both sides found it difficult to create chances by threading the ball through midfield and resorted to playing long balls in search of that elusive opening. It was from one such pass that Sandrine Rouquet found herself behind the Sweden defence in the 79th minute but she hit her shot agonisingly wide with just Lindahl to beat.

Tame shot
Sweden also had a late chance to secure what would have been a priceless three points but Yolanda Odenyo, the commanding central defender, shot tamely into the grateful arms of Marty from the edge of the area with the final kick of the game.

Improved showing
Sweden coach Signeul is confident her side can beat Germany, something they will need to do to stand any chance of qualifying, after today's improved showing. "We played a much better game here and were really fighting to do our best," she said. "We were the better side in the first half but unfortunately we couldn't score. Our goalkeeper and defence were very good but we have problems creating chances and converting them."

Coach's regrets
Both French forwards, Rouquet and Morel, were substituted and Bini felt that was indicative of his side's abject showing in attack. "In the first game we had a good midfield and attack but the defence was poor," he said. "Today it was the opposite way around and the defence was very good. I regret that my midfield did not play the way they did against Germany."

Remaining games
Germany top the section with six points from two matches after they defeated Spain, who are second with three points, 2-0 earlier today. The two remaining group games will be played on Monday at 17:00 CET.