Finland secure finals berth

Last year's tournament hosts Finland were not to be denied a place at the 2005 UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship as they edged past Greece to qualify as winners of Group 3.

Sormunen strike
With the Netherlands expected to defeat Wales last night, the onus was on Jarmo Matikainen's side to record victory against Greece at the De Winkewijert stadium. But Greece proved difficult opposition as they sought their first point in qualifying following two narrow defeats. For much of the first half they looked on course to do so before Elina Sormunen broke the deadlock for the Finns on the cusp of half-time.

'Historic moment'
It was only the third goal in three qualifying matches for the group leaders, but they are a side built on a sound defence and so it proved again as they held on for a 1-0 win to qualify for the finals for the first time, an achievement not lost on their coach. "This is a historic moment for Finnish women's football," Matikainen said. "It is the first time ever our U19 team have qualified for the final tournament.

'Special' summer
"Our senior side qualified for [UEFA] WOMEN'S EURO 2005[™], so the success of our youth team makes this coming summer a very special one for women's football in Finland." Netherlands' women will not be at either tournament, however, after the U19 side missed out on qualifying by a single point, despite defeating Wales 3-1.

Wales test
The mini-tournament hosts dominated large swathes of the game at the CSV Apeldoorn stadium, with Anneloes Kock opening the scoring on 35 minutes. However, the unfancied Welsh side entered the final round of matches on top of the section and with all seemingly to play for, they struck back through Cardiff City FC striker Jessica Fishlock ten minutes after the interval.

Demarteau penalty
But parity lasted less than 60 seconds before Dominique Vugts restored the Netherlands' lead and from then on the result was never really in doubt. With Priscilla de Vos and Jody Villan orchestrating the game in midfield, the Dutch began to dominate and added a third on 73 minutes when SV Haslou centre-back Dionne Demarteau converted from the penalty spot.

Dutch denied
Victory proved in vain, however, as Edwin Paulus Engelkes' side finished second in the group on six points, one point behind Finland who will now line up at the finals in Hungary in July. Defeat consigned Wales to third, while Greece prop up the section after failing to record a point. But after conceding 48 goals in nine previous Under-19 qualifiers, a goals against column of just five augurs well for Dimitrios Batsilas' young side.