Records beckon for Danilova

Elena Danilova is on course to retain the title of UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship top scorer thanks to her four-goal haul for Russia against the Netherlands last night - the first time an individual has registered that many in a finals game in this event.

Scoring feats
The victory ensured the holders went through to the semi-finals from Group B at the expense of hosts Switzerland, against whom Danilova had struck twice on Matchday 2 to add to an earlier goal against France. Including last year, she has now scored in six consecutive finals matches, and if Danilova repeats the hat-trick she hit against Germany in the 2005 semi-finals when the countries meet again in the last four on Wednesday, she will overtake last summer's record individual tally of nine. Danilova has 33 goals from 21 competition appearances over three seasons, including qualifiers, and her 17 from this campaign has surpassed the previous tournament best of 15 she set in 2004/05.

Tribute to team
"I have never scored four goals for the senior national team but I have scored four twice before in Russia, for my old club," Danilova said, before paying tribute to her colleagues. "I am very happy to have scored four goals but I need the team. Without the team I would not have scored four." Strike partner Elena Terekhova set up three of her goals last night and Danilova stressed the importance of their combination. "We understand each other blind," she said. "Since we were very small, we have always played together on the same team."

Delie on target
France's Marie Laure Delie had shared the lead with Danilova on Sunday morning and is clear in second place in the scorers' chart after coming off the bench to find the net against Switzerland in a 4-0 win. She too has registered in all three of her side's Group B games, including twice in a 4-1 victory against Danilova's Russia. Les Bleuettes play Denmark in the semi-finals.

2006 UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship
top scorers (after Matchday 3)