PREVIEW 2009 UEFA WOMEN’S EURO CHAMPIONSHIPS

In less than 30 days some of the top countries in women’s football will be competing for the right to be called European champions. The championships in Finland will play host to some of the biggest names in women’s football. Here at Womans Soccer Insider we take a look at the nations , their star /key players and brightest new talent. Who will end up in WPS. Can anyone stop the Germans? We will give you our thoughts and more over the next few weeks leading up to the start of the Championships.

So we have taken a look at Germany and Sweden. Next up is Denmark and France.


Denmark




The Danish are ranked no3 in Europe and no6 in the world. They have risin steadily up the rankings with a string of good results over the past 2 years.
Denmark have regularly qualified for the European Championships and have managed to get to the quarter-finals on a couple of occasions. They still could do better in tournament play however. This could be their year.
In qualifying for the Championships they had won all but one of their eight qualifying matches.
This year has been a good year on the international stage. They have introduced a batch of young players and lost only 2 games. One in the Algarve Cup to the no1 team in the world the USA and the other, their recent game to England.
Head Coach Kenneth Heiner-Møller has introduced young players to his squad as some of the more experienced players have retired like star player and scorer Merete Pedersen who retired in May of this year and some will not be available due to long-term injury.


Catherine Paaske Sørensen (Key Player)




The midfield maestro Sørensen has become a key player for Denmark as she is now the top scorer after Pedersen retired.Blessed with pace and vision Sørensen has scored 26 goals in 99 appearances in a Danish shirt.
She is known for her close control of the ball, alluding defenders and getting into the box undetected to score vital goals that can turn a match in favour of Denmark.
3 times Danish Player Of The Year she was nominated for FIFA World Player of the Year for 2006.
This year she is currently returning from injury but she is one to watch not only by fans but by the opposition.
Currently playes for Linköpings FC in the Swedish Women's Premier Division the Damallsvenskan.






Nadia Nadim (Fresh Face)


21 year old Afghanistan born Nadim made her international debut this past March against the USA in the Algarve Cup. Denmark lost but Nadim had made an impression which has seen her start all Denmark's games since.
Born in Afgahnistan and settled in Denmark in 2000 Nadim was only cleared by FIFA to play for Denmark in January 2009.
Playing as an attacking midfielder she has pace and the skill to take on defenders coming from wide.
Current club is Skovbakken IK in the Women's Danish league where she plays as a forward and is currently their top scorer.
Nadim will undoubtedly be a face to watch over the 2 weeks.