Norway hold nerve to end German hopes

Germany's bid to win a third consecutive UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship came to a cruel end as they lost 4-2 on penalties to Norway after the pulsating semi-final had finished one apiece after extra time.

Early lead
Stefanie Mirlach gave Germany an early advantage before the Scandinavian side hit back through Ida Elise Enget to force an additional 30 minutes and ultimately penalties. Marina Hegering struck Germany's first spot-kick against the post and after Selina Wagner's effort had been saved by Ingrid Thorbjørnsen, Enget made no mistake to fire Norway into the final for a third time, where they will play Italy.

Mirlach header
Bristling with confidence after scoring seven against Scotland, Maren Meinert's players immediately asserted themselves against a nervous-looking Norway side, opening the scoring inside two minutes. Julia Simic's corner was flicked on inadvertently by Enget, and Mirlach forced home a strong header at the far post. It was the ideal start, and with Francesca Weber and Hegering dominating the midfield, Germany threatened to run away with the game.

German pressure
Marie Pollmann was narrowly offside after being played through by Kim Kulig, whose movement was causing Jarl Torske's team considerable problems. On 21 minutes, Kulig threatened again, slipping Lisa Schwab clear only for her first-time strike to be brilliantly tipped over by Thorbjørnsen. Norway's defence was being stretched and Germany almost doubled their lead moments later, Schwab rifling a shot against the left-hand post after Simic's corner had only been partially cleared.

Tactical change
The intensity of Germany's play eventually dropped off and with centre-backs Maren Mjelde and Caroline Walde imposing themselves, Norway stemmed the tide. The two-time finalists appeared revitalised in the second half, the introduction of a second striker, Hege Hansen, in place of Ingrid Ryland offering Enget more support and fuelling belief. Four minutes in, they drew level following a mistake from goalkeeper Desiree Schumann, who failed to control a back-pass, allowing Enget to stroke the ball home.

Wagner chances
The balance of the game had changed, although it was Germany who created the clearer chances. Thorbjørnsen pushed Kulig's free-kick past the post before Pollmann and Wagner combined dangerously twice in the space of a minute. Moments after coming on, Wagner fired wide when clean through then shot straight at Thorbjørnsen following Pollmann's cutback. Germany continued to press in the additional 30 minutes, but Simic sent her shot over before the luckless Wagner had a header cleared off the line by Kathrine Andresen. Those misses proved costly as Norway held on to prevail in the shoot-out.