Finalists enjoy free-scoring runs

By Paul Saffer

It has been a smooth route to today's UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship final for France and Russia - with the only defeat for either side coming at the hands of the other.

Ten-goal wins
Both these teams kicked their 2004/05 campaigns off in the first qualifying round on 28 September. France, who were eliminated in last year's finals on goals scored by Russia, started in style with a 10-0 win against Group 3 hosts Lithuania, Louisa Necib claiming a hat-trick. They then matched that result with nine different scorers against Azerbaijan before Les Bleuettes defeated Denmark 2-0.

Russia through
Last season's semi-finalists Russia, meanwhile, were in Israel for Group 5. Latvia were beaten 7-0, Elena Terekhova scoring three, and Kazakhstan overcome 9-0 before the tournament hosts lost 3-0 to an Olga Petrova treble. Both players subsequently featured in a Russia squad which reached the last eight of the FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship in Thailand.

Holders ousted
On 26 April both France and Russia started their second qualifying round bids, and the story was familiar. Elodie Thomis scored the only goal in the decisive opening Group 7 game against hosts and holders Spain, and was again on the scoresheet in a 7-1 win against Croatia two days later. A place in Hungary was then sealed by a 1-0 win against the Republic of Ireland.

Highest tally
Russia began Group 4 by defeating Romania 6-0 and a 5-0 win against Serbia and Montenegro left then needing only a draw against hosts Austria. In fact they won 3-1, conceding their first goal in qualifying but their scoring tally of 33 was the joint best of any of the qualifiers for the finals.

French on top
Once in Hungary, France and Russia were matched in the opening Group B game. The southern nation won it 4-0, Necib and Thomis - both fresh from UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2005™ - scoring along with Julie Peruzzetto and substitute Marie-Pierre Castera.

Danilova hits form

Semi-finals secured

Germany stunned
So to the semi-finals where Russia were outsiders against Group A winners Germany, who had beaten them 8-0 at the same stage 12 months before. Danilova put Russia ahead two minutes before the break, and although Célia Okoyino Da Mbabi instantly equalised, Germany never looked the supreme presence of the previous year, and Danilova struck again in the 65th minute before completing another hat-trick in added time.

Delie arrives
Later on, France found Finland tenacious customers, and having hit the post and been denied several times by goalkeeper Tinja-Riikka Korpela, Stéphane Pilard's side came through when second-half substitute Marie-Laure Delie forced the ball in 15 minutes from the end.