Germany and France advance in Chile
Tuesday 2 December 2008
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Nicole Banecki (second from right) celebrates her goal in Germany's quarter-final win with Isabel Kershowski, Kim Kulig and Lisa Schwab (©Getty Images)
Germany and France will be the two European representatives in the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup semi-finals on Thursday.
European success
The semi-finalists from the 2007 UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship have been competing in Chile, and for the first time in the fourth edition of the global event, more than one side from this continent has made the last four. England's campaign ended in the quarter-finals and Norway exited in the group stage.
Germany through
Germany, who lifted the trophy in 2004 and are fielding much of the squad that won the 2007 European U19 title, opened with a comfortable 5-0 defeat of Congo DR, Kim Kulig and Katharina Baunach scoring in the first eight minutes and Isabel Kerschwoski adding a penalty before the break. Nicole Banecki and Kulig made it five late on. In the next game Germany lost 2-1 to Japan despite a Kerschowski equaliser, but secured second place in Group C by beating Canada by the same scoreline, Lisa Schwab winning the game in injury time though a draw would have been enough.
France comeback
France seemed outsiders to go through when they lost their opener 3-0 to the United States, the inaugural 2002 champions, but Marie-Laure Delie and Eugénie Le Sommer struck late on to beat China 2-0 and they moved through behind the US in Group B as despite trailing Argentina at half-time, Le Sommer scored twice and Julie Machart clinched a 3-1 win.
England drama
England also finished second in Group A. Brooke Chaplen and Toni Duggan ensured a 2-0 opening win against hosts Chile and that was followed by a 1-1 draw against Nigeria despite Natasha Dowie giving England a half-time lead. Mo Marley's side now knew a draw against New Zealand would suffice and although they trailed from the 27th minute, Duggan scored deep in injury time to claim the point England needed against a side reduced to ten players.
Norway out
In Group D, Norway began with a 2-1 win against Mexico, Marita Skammelsrud Lund and Ida Elise Enget their scorers. However, despite Isabell Herlovsen striking twice to cancel out a two-goal lead for North Korea, the holders prevailed 3-2 and a 3-0 defeat by Brazil ended Norway's hopes.
Coton-Palagie heroics
The quarter-finals began with a meeting between France and Nigeria and despite Marchart's early goal, Stéphane Pilard's side were 2-1 down at half-time. But Le Sommer equalised and with two minutes left substitute Nora Coton-Palagie secured a 3-2 victory.
Mixed fortunes
England lost 3-0 to the US but, after North Korea defeated Japan 2-1 to set up a tie with France, Germany won a thriller 3-2 against Brazil. Carolin Schiewe's own goal was swiftly cancelled out by Sylvia Banecki and Nathalie Bock and Nicole Banecki put the game out of Brazil's reach despite a late Adriane effort. Germany now face the US – just as they did in their losing FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup semi-final last month, when eventual winners North Korea were also involved, beating England.
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