EURO 2009 - UPDATE

SEMI-FINALS



We are now down to the last four in the Uefa Women's Euro 2009.
England, Germany, Netherlands and Norway.

England will play the Netherlands on Sunday 5pm BST.
They booked their place in the semi's with a gritty performance against the hosts Finland. Winning 3-2. England had more of the ball and the better of the play but the Finn's were always dangerous with long balls and set pieces. Saint Louis Athletica's Eniola Aluko scored 2 goals to to take England through taking her tally for the championships to 3 goals and earning her the player of the match. Midfielder Fara Williams scored her 2nd goal of the tournament. Captain Faye White is out of the tournament with a broken cheek bone.



Germany overcame an up for it Italy to go thorough to the semi's 2-1. 2 goals from forward Inka Grings who overcame a knee injury sealed it. Both goals coming at the start of each half.
Grings is now the leading scorer for the tournament on 4 goals.
Germany will play Norway on Monday 7th September.


Netherlands booked their Semi-Final day with England with a win over rivals France by a penalty shoot-out which they won 5-4. The game was all France but the Dutch bunkered in and got stuck into the French team to stop them playing. It was not pretty but it was effective.
With several players from both teams missing their penalties to take their team through young dutch midfielder and postergirl Anouk Hoogendijk stepped up to put her team through.




Norway the last team to make it through with maybe the surprise result of the tournament with a 3-1 win over their rivals Sweden. With luck on their side with the first goal Norway rattled Sweden out of their stride to book a date with Germany. In the end they were composed, compact and played well on the counter attack. One which accounted for their 3rd goal by 2nd half substitute forward Cecile Pedersen, who stroked the ball passed the goalkeeper with the outside of her right foot after out running the last defender. Brilliant goal which brought delight to her teamates and coach.

Semi-finals - Match kick-offs are listed in CET

06/09	England	18:00	Netherlands
07/09	Germany	18:00	Norway

PREVIEW 2009 UEFA WOMEN’S EURO CHAMPIONSHIPS

The Euro 2009 Championships have begun.Some of the biggest names in women’s football are taking part. 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 course of the Championships.I hope you are all getting a chance to catch some of the matches and talent on show.



Norway



Norway are one of the most successful women’s national football teams in the world.
They have won a World Cup in 95, an Olympic Gold medal in 2000 and the European Championship twice in 87 & 93.They were runners-up in England in 2005.
They have been as high as number 3 in the world rankings but they currently sit in 10th, their lowest to date. 6th in the European rankings.
This is due in part to other teams improving while Norway have been in a bit of a slump this year.
They qualified well for Euro 2009 with 6 wins and a draw out of 7 matches. Scoring 26 goals for and conceding none.
However at the end of the qualifying a number of players quit due to issues with the management. Some retired and some are injured. Head coach Bjarne Berntsen lost as many as eight players to his squad.
Norway are in transition. Bernsten has had to call a clutch of new players with limited international experience and some fresh faces into the squad for Euro 2009.He has adapted Norway’s formation and style of play.
Will it all come together just in time? One things for sure, Norway will be there or there abouts in the tournament. Form is temporary, but class is permanent.


Ingvild Stensland (Key Player)


With many of Norway’s experienced players no longer in the squad. Ingvild Stensland has become their most important player. She is the Captain, the veteran that the young players will look up to.
Stensland is a combative midfielder that will fight for every ball in the centre of midfield. She is known for her tough tackling and work ethic.
With a strong shot she has scored some spectacular goals. And is always dangerous with free-kicks.
For the past 4 years Stensland has been nominated for FIFA Woman’s Player of the Year.
Currently plays for Olympique Lyonnais. Joined in January 2009.Picking up the Division 1 championship.
With 80 caps to her name. Stensland remains unchanged in a much changed Norway.


Elise Thorsnes (Fresh Face)

21 year old Thorsnes has come back into form after starting her career with a bang in the Norwegian women’s league the Toppserien with Arna-Bjørnar.
There she was regularly at the top of the scoring charts, was voted Young Player of the Year and pushed her way into the 2008 Beijing Olympic national team.
With skill and pace Thorsnes main attributes are taking on defenders one v one or playing of the shoulder of the last defender where she can use her pace to get behind the defence.
In Norway’s new formation and style of play Thorsnes is expected to start in the starting XI.
With 23 caps already with only one goal, Euro 2009 is the time for her to take her club form to the International stage and help get Norway back to the power they once were.