Parisi secures Italy triumph

Decisive moment
After a nervous start to the game from sides unaccustomed to playing on this stage, the Azzurrine settled first and never conceded the initiative. Parisi had just seen a free-kick deflected on to the post when she was presented with another dead ball opportunity on 71 minutes, when Pamela Gueli was checked by Gunhild Herregården as she powered into the penalty area. The Italy No10 had converted from the spot in the semi-final win against Sweden and repeated the feat in Tours, firing into the top corner to start the Azzurrine celebrations. Norway just did not have the legs to conjure a reply.

Early nerves
The match ended with coaches Corrado Corradini and Jarl Torske embracing on the halfway line, as they had just before kick-off and the spirit of generosity had continued as the game got under way, both teams guilty of some wayward passing. But the nerves were perhaps understandable, with Norway's 2003 loss to France the only previous time either side have graced the final. Gradually the butterflies settled, and June Tårnes' cross could easily have been turned in by Ida Elise Enget on 12 minutes but the forward could not get enough purchase on her header.

Pisano presence
It was the Azzurrine making much of the running, however, midfield pivot Silvia Pisano a waspish presence in midfield, biting into tackles, putting her body on line and constantly looking for the pass. Italy pushed on. Cristina Bonometti rifled just over on the turn on the half-hour, working space inside the area following a corner, and six minutes before the interval Diletta Crespi could have broken the deadlock. Gueli's slide-rule pass caught Astrid Ree on her heels and the Italy left-back advanced but with only the goalkeeper to beat skewed her effort well wide.

Fusetti spark
Italy's ascendancy did not stop Corradini making a change at half-time, bringing Laura Fusetti on to replace Sabrina Marchese. The replacement almost paid immediate dividends. From the restart playmaker Parisi advanced, feeding the ball to the substitute whose shot was well smothered by Ingrid Thorbjørnsen at her near post. Indeed, as Sara Penzo stood a lonely vigil in the Italy goal Thorbjørnsen was given more and more to worry about. Fusetti fired a whisker over and Parisi's free-kick ricocheted off Alessandra Barreca in the wall, leaving the keeper stranded as it came off the upright. Moments later the Norway No1 was similarly stranded but there was to be no reprieve. And no way back for her side as Italian celebrations started.