Effervescent Italy secure maiden final

Second-half rout
Goals either side of half-time from Pamela Gueli and Cristina Bonometti set the Azzurrine on their way, and the excellent Alice Parisi made it 3-0 midway through the second period. It was to get worse for Sweden, their day summed up as the otherwise faultless Nina Fellbrant failed to deal with Elisa Bartoli's looping right-wing cross and Gueli completed the rout from point-blank range to set up a final against Norway, who defeated Germany on penalties later in the evening.

Italian vim
There was a suggestion that Italy could lose their early impetus after resting seven players for their final group match but – as they demonstrated at the tournament's karaoke night last week, led by Gueli – the Azzurrine do not lack rhythm. And they were soon into their stride, with Parisi the principle conduit of balls up to the waspish front three, the No10 all cute touches and clever flicks. She was involved in the move that saw Sabrina Marchese fire over on the turn on ten minutes and as blue shirts swarmed forward in numbers, Sweden were struggling to cope.

Sucker punch 
There was some hope for Calle Barrling's side. A lovely flowing move down the left flank released Sofia Jakobsson in space, only for Sweden's lone striker to fire straight at Sara Penzo. Kosovare Asllani also had a shot across goal, though just as Sweden started to find their feet they found themselves a goal behind. Bartoli's long ball out of the Italy defence offered no real danger, but the Swedish back line failed to respond. Gueli was more alert, heading over Fellbrant as the keeper came out to narrow the angle.

Parisi pass
Fellbrant did well to push a Parisi effort around the post soon after but she could do nothing ten minutes after half-time when the long ball again proved Sweden's undoing. This time Parisi was the provider, delivering a pinpoint pass for Bonometti to run on to and deftly chip over the onrushing Fellbrant. Bonometti was involved again on 72 minutes, her run halted by Emelie Ölander's push allowing Parisi to get herself on the scoresheet by firing an unstoppable penalty in off the upright. Gueli's second merely compounded Sweden's woe but for Italy it is onwards and upwards.