Les Bleuettes hit the right notes

There will be a new name on the UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship trophy after France defeated England 2-0 in Markranstädt to win through to Sunday's final against Norway.

One better
Like in last season's competition, the final will be a repeat of the opening match of the tournament. The French kicked-off the 2002 edition with a 3-2 defeat by Germany, and ended it by losing the inaugural final 3-1 to the same opponents. They will be determined to go one better this year after Cécilia Josserand and Nonna Debonne scored in each half against England.

McDougall close
After a quiet opening the game burst into life in the 12th minute when England midfield player Kelly McDougall unleashed a shot from over 30 metres which dipped on to the French crossbar, almost catching Sarah Bouhaddi out. It was so nearly 1-0 in England's favour but they found themselves a goal down a minute later following a French raid down the left.

Josserand on target
The ball was cleared long to Josserand who drove a low shot from the corner of the area into the back of Karen Bardsley's net via the goalkeeper's right-hand post. Josserand, who also scored in the opening 2-2 draw against Norway, had another decent opening in the 20th minute but failed to direct her back-header on target when in space five metres out.

Agile Bouhaddi
Lilas Traïkia created an opening for herself soon after but brilliant defensive play from Fara Williams averted the danger. The midfielder, who scored two stunning goals earlier in the competition, then tested Bouhaddi with a drilled shot with the outside of the boot but the French goalkeeper plucked it out of the air with great agility.

Strong start
Bruno Bini's French side enjoyed the best of the rest of the half; Amélie Coquet, her face heavily bandaged, Elise Bussaglia and Traïkia all having chances without really troubling Bardsley. England started the second half strongly with Williams shooting just over, again from distance, and Eniola Aluko skewing an effort wide after the ball had fallen kindly for her and left two French defenders flailing.

Half chances
Only a last-ditch sliding tackle from Hayley Kemp prevented French substitute Elodie Thomis from having a clear run at Bardsley's goal in the 53rd minute and Anita Asante was the next to try her luck, shooting over. Aluko and Jo Potter linked up well to create England's next chance, though Bouhaddi took the latter's cross confidently, and Williams hit another long-ranger over.

Meilleroux sweeping
All these were half-chances, and France were content to sit deep with Ophélie Meilleroux again operating behind a powerful back line of Anne-Laure Casseleux, Marie-Claude Herlem and Gwenaëlle Pele. England rarely got in behind them, save for the 85th minute when Meilleroux turned inside Emma Thomas only for Aluko to nip the ball off her toe, burst into the area and send in a cross which was cleared.

Debonne seals it
Les Bleuettes completed the scoring in the 89th minute to condemn England to a second semi-final defeat in succession. Anne-Laure Perrot skipped past Jo Potter on the by-line and honed in on goal before cutting the ball back to Debonne who was able to place it beyond Bardsley from a few metres out.