Déjà vu for holders France

Having kept alive their chance of retaining the UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship title with a last-gasp equaliser in Friday's game against Russia, France will need to maintain an enviable recent record if they are to emerge from their showdown against Italy with one of the two qualifying slots available from Group B.

Unpredictable section
All four teams can still qualify from what has been an unpredictable section when it concludes today, although Italy and Norway only need to avoid defeat by France and Russia respectively to advance to the last four and November's FIFA Under-19 Women's World Championship. The Italians and Norwegians both have four points, while France and Russia have tallied just one so far.

Identical situations
There is an air of déjà vu for the French, who have approached the final group game with just one point in each of the past two tournaments. In 2002, having lost to Germany and drawn with Sweden, they beat Spain 2-1 in their last fixture, while in Leipzig in 2003 they came from behind to win by the same score against the Netherlands to progress with four points on the back of an opening draw against Norway and loss to Spain.

Clear-cut chances
On each occasion France went on to reach the final, losing in 2002 to Germany before becoming the first nation to have their name inscribed on the Victory Cup last summer. Bruno Bini's side were technically excellent in their opening 2-0 loss to Norway here in Finland, but failed to convert their possession into clear-cut chances. It was a similar situation against Russia, who led 1-0 in added time before having three points cruelly snatched from them.

Ricco off
Bini feels Gwenaëlle Pele's goal could have a profound effect on his side, saying: "Now the players' spirits are very high and we will be hard to beat as they're smiling, dancing and laughing again." Whether they will still be smiling at full time remains to be seen, for Italy had little trouble seeing off Russia 5-1 in their encounter. A hard-fought 0-0 draw against Norway further boosted morale, although Agnese Ricco was sent off and is now suspended.

Coppolino's responsibility
"Four points is a very good situation and we remain challengers in this tournament," said Azzurre coach Elisabetta Bavagnoli. Italy suffered heartbreak at this stage of the tournament last year, losing on penalties to Sweden after they finished level on points, goal difference and goals scored behind England and will be determined not to suffer again. Responsibility for goals will lie with Serena Coppolino as Ricco is suspended, although the forward already has three goals to her name.

Fine defence
Like Italy, Norway just need a point to take their place in the last four. Their defence has not been breached so far and they have experience of grinding out results having reached the final last year and in 2001. "If you had said before the tournament we would have four points from two games I would have been satisfied," said coach Jarl Tørske.

'Have to learn'
The Norwegians can expect Russia to attempt to force the pace from the start in Loviisa as victory is imperative for them. Their outlook could have been somewhat rosier, however, if goalkeeper Elvira Todua had not picked up a backpass to gift France a free-kick from which they levelled. "It's a painful experience but we have to learn from the negatives," said coach Valentin Grishin, whose side are competing in a final tournament for the first time in six years.