Impressive Germany signal intent

Three-time UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship winners and current U19 world champions Germany will travel to Hungary in July in pursuit of a fourth title after winning Group 1 at a canter.

'Completely satisfied'
Mini-tournament hosts Germany defeated Denmark 1-0 at the Hubert-Houben Stadion today to seal a 100 per cent qualifying record and leave coach Silvia Neid hopeful of further success in the finals. "Although we struggled against a tight defensive unit today, I am otherwise completely satisfied," she said. "Three games, three victories and a categorical group win - one cannot ask for more."

Unassailable lead
Germany went into Saturday afternoon's round of matches with a final berth already guaranteed after victories against the Czech Republic and Sweden had given them an unassailable lead on top of the section. But the side were determined to qualify in style and in front of a partisan home crowd of 2,100 dominated proceedings, with Simone Laudehr, Lena Goessling and Katharina Griessemer causing the visitors' defence countless problems.

Six-star Sweden
Henrik Lehm's side managed to keep the Germans at bay, however, and looked to have earned a share of the spoils before Griessemer struck with just three minutes remaining. Sweden won in much more convincing fashion in the day's other match at the Hülsparkstadion as Lisa Dahlkvist scored a hat-trick to inspire the side to an emphatic 6-0 victory against the Czech Republic.

Dahlkvist hat-trick
The striker, who was also on target in the 3-1 win against Denmark on Thursday, gave her side a terrific start with a goal inside six minutes. Linda Sembrant and Johanna Frisk made it 3-0 before the half-hour mark, before two goals in an eight-minute spell either side of the interval gave Dahlkvist her hat-trick. Midfield player Alexandra Nilsson sealed the win on 57 minutes.

Sweden second
The result meant Calle Barrling's side finished second in the section, three points behind Germany who will now be seeking to add the European crown to the FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship title they won in Thailand in November. The Czech Republic and Denmark finished joint bottom after drawing 1-1 on Tuesday.