Hosts hit by Spanish late show

Sweden dominated their opening UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship match against Spain at Helsingborgs IF's Olympia stadium but had nothing to show for their efforts as Erika Vazquez headed the only goal of the game in added time.

Sizeable support
Backed by a sizeable local support well in excess of 2,000, the hosts played the more attacking football throughout but Spain's tactic of absorbing Swedish pressure and hitting them on the counterattack paid dividends as they registered three points on the opening day of the tournament.

Tense half
Both teams operated a 4-4-2 system in a tense first half, but Sweden's was more flexible, allowing striker Emma Lidqvist to drift out to the left flank to complement the runs down the right by the speedy Lotta Schelin. Indeed it was from a cross from the right that Sweden nearly opened the scoring in the 27th minute, but goalkeeper Maria-José Pons tipped the ball away from Nilla Fischer when she was perfectly positioned for a free header on goal.

Intricate move
The second half was also bereft of clear-cut chances, but Sweden went close in the 56th minute when Yolanda Odenyo, so impressive in central defence, connected powerfully with an in-swinging corner but her header flew narrowly over the bar. Two minutes later the Swedes put together an intricate move involving Nera Smajic, captain Anna Paulsson - playing in midfield rather than at right-back because of injuries - and Lindvist which ended with Lindqvist drilling the ball over.

Game livens up
The game livened up in the final 20 minutes after Maria-José Perez thumped the best opportunity of the match against the legs of Sweden goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl. The diminutive striker had been sent clear by a sublime through-ball from captain Saray García, Spain's player of the match.

Headed winner
It looked as though that would prove Spain's final chance, but soon after the referee's assistant had indicated three minutes of added time, striker Erika headed the ball over the out-rushing Sweden defence and into the net after Lindahl had failed to get the necessary distance with a punch from a teasing corner.

'Lucky' victory
Ignacio Quereda, the Spain coach, admitted that his side had been "lucky" to claim a late victory. "Both teams had their chances but we had the luck at the end when we scored," he said. Goalscorer Erika did not attribute her crucial strike to fortune, however, saying: "I do not score that many goals with my head but when I do they usually prove decisive."

'A lot to do'
Sweden coach Anna Signeul felt the occasion had got to her players. "It was not a very good game as my players were very nervous because of the pressure of playing at home in the first game of a major competition," she said. "We now have a lot to do but Sweden have proved that they are good when they are underdogs. I feel sorry that the players couldn't show how good they are but it will be a better game against France."

Shades of 95
Signeul drew similarities with the opening game of the 1995 FIFA Women's World Cup when Sweden lost 1-0 to Brazil in similar circumstances after dominating the game. They recovered from the defeat to advance from their group and Signeul is confident history will repeat itself this week. "We made it to the quarter-finals then and we will do our best to get to the semi-finals now," she concluded.