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.

ENGLAND 1 - 0 DENMARK

England signed of for the Euro's with a 1-0 win over Denmark.Substitute striker Jody Handley scoring in the 87th minute.
In their last warm-up match before Euro 2009 England fielded a much different team to the one that lost against Iceland last week.
There were welcome starts for Fara Williams, Karen Carney, Anita Asante and Alex Scott.
Karen Bardsley of NJ Sky Blue earned her 1st cap right from the start. Regular GK Rachel Brown took a knock in the warm-up and had to sit out. Boston Breakers Kelly Smith again did not play due to her troublesome knee.

England created a few chances early on with Fara Williams and Sue Smith on the end of some good moves.Williams shooting just wide on 18 minutes. Denmark playing with some youngsters also put on a good show.New star Nadia Nadim stood out, heading just over the bar on 21 minutes.

England continued to create chances in the 2nd half but the Denmark defence held strong with Captain Katrine Pedersen organising her defence well.

England lacked that creative spark to unlock the stubborn Danish defence. Denmark were well organised and should put up a good showing in the Euros.

RB Alex Scott started to be more prominent in the Danish half and on the 72nd minute nearly assisted on a goal. Scott sent a ball into the box and Williams got on the end and struck the ball towards goal. The ball was saved by the Danish keeper only for it to rebound out to striker Sue Smith who slid into the ball only to see it agonisingly strike the post.

With minutes running out Karen Carney sent in a ball from the left and Jody Handley on as a 2nd half substitute for Lianne Sanderson connected with a glancing header for her 6th career goal for England.

Boston Breakers Alex Scott was named Player Of The Match for another outstanding and tireless performance.

England will name their final 22 on August 4th. Scott and Handley have shown their intent to Hope Powell.

England: Karen Bardsley; Alex Scott, Lindsey Johnson, Anita Asante,Casey Stoney; Jill Scott (Emily Westwood, 90),Katie Chapman; Karen Carney, Fara Williams(C) , Sue Smith; Lianne Sanderson (Jody Handley, 46).

Denmark: Heidi ElgaardJohansen (Tine Cederkvist, 46); Marie Bjerg, Mette Jensen, Katrine Pedersen(C) , Line Hansen; Ditte Larsen, Nielsen (Marianne Pedersen, 90); Katrine Veje (Tina Rasmussen, 73), Nanna Christiansen (Jane Madsen 87), Nadia Nadim; Maiken Pape (Lene Jensen, 46).