UEFA Women's Euro 2009

UEFA Women's Euro 2009
UEFA Naisten EURO 2009

UEFA Women's Euro 2009 official logo
Tournament details
Host country Finland
Dates 23 August – 10 September
Teams 12
Venue(s) 5 (in 4 host cities)
Final positions
Champions  Germany (7th title)
Runners-up  England
Third place  Netherlands
 Norway
Tournament statistics
Matches played 25
Goals scored 75 (3 per match)
Attendance 134,907 (5,396 per match)
Top scorer(s) Germany Inka Grings (6 goals)

The 2009 UEFA Women's Championship, or just Women's Euro 2009, was played in Finland between August 23 and September 10, 2009. The host was appointed on July 11, 2006, in a UEFA Executive Committee meeting in Berlin and the Finnish proposal won over the Dutch proposal.

The UEFA Women's Championship is a regular tournament involving European national teams from countries affiliated to UEFA, the European governing body, who have qualified for the competition. The competition aims to determine which national women's team is the best in Europe.

The 2009 tournament was won by Germany for a seventh time in ten events. They beat England, appearing in their first final since 1984, 6–2 in the final.[1] The Germans also boasted the tournament's leading goalscorer in Inka Grings.

Format

Twelve teams competed in the competition, an increase of 4 teams from 8 teams that played in previous tournaments. After a preliminary round, 30 teams competed in a qualifying group stage. Those teams were divided into six groups of five, with teams playing each other on a home-and-away basis. The six group winners advanced to the final tournament. The six runners-up and the four best third-placed teams played a qualification playoff. Those 11 teams and the hosts completed the 12-team lineup for the competition.

Qualification

45 teams competed for the eleven available places in the final tournament; the qualifying teams together with the host were:

Country Qualified as Qualified on Previous appearances in tournament1
 Finland Host 11 July 2006 1 (2005)
 England Group 1 winner 2 October 2008 5 (1984, 1987, 1995, 2001, 2005)
 Sweden Group 2 winner 1 October 2008 7 (1984, 1987, 1989, 1995, 1997, 2001, 2005)
 France Group 3 winner 27 September 2008 3 (1997, 2001, 2005)
 Germany Group 4 winner 1 October 2008 7 (1989, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1997, 2001, 2005)
 Denmark Group 5 winner 1 October 2008 6 (1984, 1991, 1993, 1997, 2001, 2005)
 Norway Group 6 winner 2 October 2008 8 (1987, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1997, 2001, 2005)
 Italy Play-off winner 29 October 2008 8 (1984, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1997, 2001, 2005)
 Russia Play-off winner 30 October 2008 2 (1997, 2001)
 Ukraine Play-off winner 30 October 2008 0 (debut)
 Iceland Play-off winner 30 October 2008 0 (debut)
 Netherlands Play-off winner 30 October 2008 0 (debut)
1 Bold indicates champion for that year. Italics indicates host for that year

Venues

The tournament was played in four cities in Finland: Helsinki, Turku, Tampere and Lahti.

Helsinki
Turku
Tampere
Lahti
Helsinki Turku Tampere Lahti
Helsinki Olympic Stadium
Capacity: 40,000
Finnair Stadium
Capacity: 10,770
Veritas Stadion
Capacity: 9,000
Ratina Stadion
Capacity: 17,000
Lahden Stadion
Capacity: 14,465
4 Group matches
Final
3 Group matches
1 Quarter-final
1 Semi-final
4 Group matches
1 Quarter-final
4 Group matches
1 Quarter-final
1 Semi-final
3 Group matches
1 Quarter-final

Tournament review

Participating teams

Matchday One – 23–25 August

In the opening round of Group A matches, Finland and the Netherlands showed that they would be contenders for qualification beyond the group stage. In the opening match of the tournament goals from Kirsten van de Ven and Karin Stevens would give the Dutch women a 2–0 victory over Ukraine. The evening fixture in the Olympic Stadium in Helsinki saw the host nation Finland begin their campaign with a 1–0 victory over Denmark. Maija Saari scored the first goal of the campaign, her first international goal.

In Group B defending World and European Champions Germany set the marker, dispatching fellow contenders Norway 4–0. The champions and favourites to defend their title stuttered early on as they took a 1–0 lead, but in stoppage time three more goals helped the Germans to their victory and their lead in Group B. In the other match in Group B, France began their campaign with a win, recovering from a goal down to beat Iceland 3–1.

Group C opened with a surprise, World Cup quarter-finalists England beaten 2–1 by Group C outsiders Italy. England led 1–0 thanks to a Williams penalty just before half-time however goals from Panico and Tuttino gave Italy the victory. England finished the game with ten women after Casey Stoney was dismissed. In Group C's other match 2003 World Cup finalists Sweden opened their challenge with a comfortable 3–0 win over Russia.

Matchday Two – 26–28 August

Finland continued their good form in Group A, following up their 1–0 victory with a 2–1 win against the Netherlands. Kalmari scored twice as the home nation moved into the Quarter-Finals as winners of Group A with a match to spare. The win for Finland would prove to be the end for Ukraine. Earlier on the Ukrainian team had been beaten by Denmark 2–1, and a result of the Dutch and Danes' meeting in the next round of Group games could no longer qualify for the Quarter-Finals. Maiken Pape scored three minutes from time to devastate the debut nation.

Group B saw holders Germany progress after another thumping win, this time a 5–1 success against the French. Norway recovered from their opening defeat to edge past Iceland by a single goal, a result which eliminated the Icelandic team.

In Group C; Sweden booked their place in the last eight with a 2–0 win over Italy arguably the surprise package of the tournament so far. Two goals in the first twenty minutes killed the game for Sweden who now meet England in their final group match. Sweden's win in Turku meant that if England lost their match against Russia then their hopes would be over at the Group stage for the third successive Euro. Russia knowing a win would kickstart their campaign appeared certain to condemn the English to an exit as goals from Ksenia Tsybutovich and Olesya Kurochkina gave the Russians a 2–0 lead. However that wasn't the end of the tale. England player Karen Carney reduced the gap and then just ten minutes later Carney dinked the ball through to Aluko who equalised for the England team. Two minutes before half-time Kelly Smith scored the fifth goal of the half and what proved to be the winner in a result which gives both sides a chance of qualifying.

Matchday Three – 29–31 August

With both Ukraine and Finland knowing where they would finish in the Group, the hosts made four changes to their line up for the final group game. The Ukrainian side took advantage of the changes and signed off from their first UEFA Women's Euro with a 1–0 victory. With everything to play for in the other Group A match, The Netherlands with goals from Sylvia Smit and Manon Melis took a 2–0 lead over Denmark. Rasmussen reduced the arrears however the Dutch would hold on to take second place and leave Denmark relying on results from Group B and Group C to now progress to the quarter-finals.

In Group B; Germany through Inka Grings took top spot and the maximum nine points from three matches as they ended the Icelandic challenge with a 1–0 victory. Iceland, making their debut in the tournament showed renewed spirit but could not secure their first point in the European Championships. In the other game a 1–1 draw between Norway and France secured both teams their place in the quarter-finals.

The first round concluded on 31 August with the final games in Group C. Played simultaneously as are all final group matches. Italy secured their passage in the tournament with a 2–0 win over Russia, eliminating the Russians from the competition. Russia aware that a three goal win would guarantee a place in the knock-out stages held out until 13 minutes from the end. In Group C's final game Sweden secured top spot in the group with a 1–1 draw against England, a result which saw the English side qualify. The result also eliminated Denmark in Group A as the side in third place with the worst record.

Quarter-Finals – 3–4 September

In the opening quarter-final in Turku, Group A winner Finland took on 2nd best third-place and Group C qualifiers England. England, seeking to reach the last four following their early elimination in 2005 started well; Aluko giving them a 1–0 half-time lead. A Williams goal put England 2–0 up on 49 minutes and in total control. The home team rallied a goal from Sjölund recovering the deficit to 2–1 before Aluko put England 3–1 up and with one foot in the last four a minute later. A Sällström goal proved mere consolation for the Home nation who went out of the tournament 3–2.

In the second quarter-final held between the Runners up of Group A and Group B France took on Netherlands. In a tight match no goals would be scored in normal time or extra time forcing the first shootout of the tournament. After eight perfect penalties making the score 4–4, both teams missed their next two efforts as the tension continued to mount. However the Dutch would prevail 5–4 to send out France, and book a date with England in the Semi-Finals.

In Friday's quarter-final matches, Germany took a 2–0 lead thanks to Two goals from Grings, making her top goalscorer in the tournament so far. Patriza Panico scored for Italy, and for a couple of moments it seemed that the holders may be in trouble. However Germany soon regained control in possession and would win 2–1 to book their place in the Semi-Finals yet again.

In the final match of the round, Norway began to impress. Two goals in 7 minutes meant that the Norwegian women led 2–0 at half-time against a very strong and very impressive Swedish side. Cecile Pedersen's goal on the hour meant Norway led one of the favourites in Sweden 3–0. Even though Sandell Svensson scored for Sweden it would prove to be no more than consolation as Norway won 3–1 to secure a Semi-Final spot with Germany and a chance to avenge the 4–0 loss suffered against the Germans in their opening game.

Semi-Finals – 6–7 September

In the opening Semi-Final England faced the Netherlands; Both teams having caused surprises to reach this stage of the tournament. England took the lead in the 61st minute with a goal from Kelly Smith. Marlous Pieëte levelled the scores at 1–1. The score at the end of 90 minutes was indeed that and extra-time started with the Dutch, who had advanced already via that method as favourite. However with four minutes left and with Penalties looming Jill Scott scored the winner to send England into the final.

Final – 10 September

England tried from the start to take the game to the favourites, Germany. But after missing several chances, England found themselves behind after 20 minutes of play when Germany scored in their very first attack (Birgit Prinz), and immediately scored a second – a long range shot from Melanie Behringer to go 2–0 up. Two minutes later, England pulled one back (Karen Carney) and the game remained delicately balanced until half-time. The second half initially continued much the same as the first, with England generally attacking and Germany content to play a counter-attacking game. In the second half, Germany added a third (Kim Kulig) and England responded with their second (Kelly Smith), but when Grings scored Germany's fourth, England seemed to lose heart, and Germany were able to seal the win with a further two goals (Grings and Prinz getting their second goal each).

Results

All times local (EEST/UTC+3)

Group stage

The top two teams from each group progress to the quarter-finals along with the two best third-placed teams.

If two or more teams are level on points they are split by, in order of precedence: (a) higher number of points obtained in the matches played between the teams in question, (b) superior goal difference from the matches played between the teams in question (c) higher number of goals scored in the matches between the teams in question, (d) superior goal difference from all matches played, (e) higher number of goals scored, (f) Fair Play ranking (from during the tournament), (g) the drawing of lots.[2]

Group A

Team Pld
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
 Finland 3 2 0 1 3 2 +1 6
 Netherlands 3 2 0 1 5 3 +2 6
 Denmark 3 1 0 2 3 4 1 3
 Ukraine 3 1 0 2 2 4 2 3

23 August 2009
14:45
Netherlands  2–0  Ukraine
van de Ven  4'
Stevens  9'
Report
Veritas Stadion, Turku
Attendance: 2,571
Referee: Cristina Dorcioman (Romania)

23 August 2009
19:30
Finland  1–0  Denmark
Saari  49' Report
Olympic Stadium, Helsinki
Attendance: 16,334
Referee: Dagmar Damkova (Czech Republic)

26 August 2009
17:30
Ukraine  1–2  Denmark
Apanaschenko  63' Report Sand Andersen  49'
Pape  87'
Finnair Stadium, Helsinki
Attendance: 1,372
Referee: Gyöngyi Gaál (Hungary)

26 August 2009
20:00
Netherlands  1–2  Finland
van de Ven  25' Report Österberg Kalmari  7', 69'
Olympic Stadium, Helsinki
Attendance: 16,148
Referee: Jenny Palmqvist (Sweden)

29 August 2009
17:30
Finland  0–1  Ukraine
Report Pekur  69'
Olympic Stadium, Helsinki
Attendance: 15,138
Referee: Natalia Avdonchenko (Russia)

29 August 2009
17:30
Denmark  1–2  Netherlands
J. Rasmussen  71' Report Smit  58'
Melis  66'
Lahden Stadion, Lahti
Attendance: 1,712
Referee: Jenny Palmqvist (Sweden)

Group B

Team Pld
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
 Germany 3 3 0 0 10 1 +9 9
 France 3 1 1 1 5 7 2 4
 Norway 3 1 1 1 2 5 3 4
 Iceland 3 0 0 3 1 5 4 0

24 August 2009
17:00
Germany  4–0  Norway
Bresonik  33' (pen.)
Bajramaj  90', 90+4'
Mittag  90+2'
Report
Ratina Stadion, Tampere
Attendance: 6,552
Referee: Alexandra Ihringova (England)

24 August 2009
20:00
Iceland  1–3  France
Magnúsdóttir  6' Report Abily  18' (pen.)
Bompastor  53' (pen.)
Nécib  67'
Ratina Stadion, Tampere
Attendance: 6,552
Referee: Natalia Avdonchenko (Russia)

27 August 2009
17:30
France  1–5  Germany
Thiney  51' Report Grings  9'
Krahn  17'
Behringer  45+ 1'
Bresonik  47' (pen.)
Laudehr  90+ 1'
Ratina Stadion, Tampere
Attendance: 3,331
Referee: Kateryna Monzul (Ukraine)

27 August 2009
20:00
Iceland  0–1  Norway
Report Pedersen  45'
Lahden Stadion, Lahti
Attendance: 1,399
Referee: Cristina Dorcioman (Romania)

30 August 2009
16:00
Germany  1–0  Iceland
Grings  50' Report
Ratina Stadion, Tampere
Attendance: 3,101
Referee: Kirsi Heikkinen (Finland)

30 August 2009
16:00
Norway  1–1  France
Storløkken  4' Report Abily  16'
Finnair Stadium, Helsinki
Attendance: 1,537
Referee: Alexandra Ihringova (England)

Group C

Team Pld
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
 Sweden 3 2 1 0 6 1 +5 7
 Italy 3 2 0 1 4 3 +1 6
 England 3 1 1 1 5 5 0 4
 Russia 3 0 0 3 2 8 6 0

25 August 2009
17:30
Italy  2–1  England
Panico  56'
Tuttino  82'
Report Williams  38' (pen.)
Lahden Stadion, Lahti
Attendance: 2,950
Referee: Bibiana Steinhaus (Germany)

25 August 2009
20:00
Sweden  3–0  Russia
Rohlin  5'
Sandell Svensson  15'
Seger  82'
Report
Veritas Stadion, Turku
Attendance: 4,697
Referee: Kirsi Heikkinen (Finland)

28 August 2009
17:30
Italy  0–2  Sweden
Report Schelin  9'
Asllani  19'
Veritas Stadion, Turku
Attendance: 5,947
Referee: Bibiana Steinhaus (Germany)

28 August 2009
20:00
England  3–2  Russia
Carney  24'
Aluko  32'
K. Smith  42'
Report Tsybutovich  2'
Kurochkina  22'
Finnair Stadium, Helsinki
Attendance: 1,462
Referee: Dagmar Damkova (Czech Republic)

31 August 2009
19:00
Russia  0–2  Italy
Report Gabbiadini  77'
Zorri  90+3'
Olympic Stadium, Helsinki
Attendance: 1,112
Referee: Gyöngyi Gaál (Hungary)

31 August 2009
19:00
Sweden  1–1  England
Sandell Svensson  40' (pen.) Report White  28'
Veritas Stadion, Turku
Attendance: 6,142
Referee: Kateryna Monzul (Ukraine)

Third-placed qualifiers

At the end of the first stage, a comparison will be made between the third placed teams of each group. The two best third-placed teams advance to the quarter-finals.

Team Pld
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
 England 3 1 1 1 5 5 0 4
 Norway 3 1 1 1 2 5 3 4
 Denmark 3 1 0 2 3 4 1 3

Knockout stage

Quarter-finals Semi-finals Final
                   
3 September – Turku        
  Finland  2
6 September – Tampere
  England  3  
  England  2
3 September – Tampere
      Netherlands  1  
  Netherlands  0 (5)
10 September – Helsinki
  France  0 (4)  
  England  2
4 September – Lahti    
    Germany  6
  Germany  2
7 September – Helsinki
  Italy  1  
  Germany  3
4 September – Helsinki
      Norway  1  
  Sweden  1
  Norway  3  
 

Quarter-finals

3 September 2009
16:00
Finland  2–3  England
Sjölund  66'
Sällström  79'
Report Aluko  15', 67'
Williams  49'
Veritas Stadion, Turku
Attendance: 7,247
Referee: Dagmar Damkova (Czech Republic)

3 September 2009
20:00
Netherlands  0–0 (a.e.t.)  France
Report
  Penalties  
Stevens
Melis
Kiesel-Griffioen
Smit
Koster
Bito
Hoogendijk
5–4 Soubeyrand
Abily
Henry
Le Sommer
Franco
Meilleroux
Herbert
Ratina Stadion, Tampere
Attendance: 2,766
Referee: Kirsi Heikkinen (Finland)

4 September 2009
16:00
Germany  2–1  Italy
Grings  4', 47' Report Panico  63'
Lahden Stadion, Lahti
Attendance: 1,866
Referee: Jenny Palmqvist (Sweden)

4 September 2009
20:00
Sweden  1–3  Norway
Sandell Svensson  80' Report Segerström  39' (o.g.)
Giske  45'
Pedersen  60'
Finnair Stadium, Helsinki
Attendance: 1,708
Referee: Bibiana Steinhaus (Germany)

Semi-finals

6 September 2009
19:00
England  2–1 (a.e.t.)  Netherlands
K. Smith  61'
J. Scott  116'
Report Pieëte  64'
Ratina Stadion, Tampere
Attendance: 4,621
Referee: Gyöngyi Gaál (Hungary)

7 September 2009
19:00
Germany  3–1  Norway
Laudehr  59'
da Mbabi  61'
Bajramaj  90+3'
Report Herlovsen  10'
Finnair Stadium, Helsinki
Attendance: 2,765
Referee: Kirsi Heikkinen (Finland)

Final

10 September 2009
19:00
England  2–6  Germany
Carney  24'
K. Smith  55'
Report Prinz  20', 76'
Behringer  22'
Kulig  50'
Grings  62', 73'
Olympic Stadium, Helsinki
Attendance: 15,877
Referee: Dagmar Damkova (Czech Republic)
ENGLAND GERMANY
GK 1 Rachel Brown
LB 3 Casey Stoney  44'
CB 14 Faye White (c)
CB 6 Anita Asante
RB 2 Alex Scott
MF 9 Eniola Aluko  81'
MF 4 Fara Williams
MF 8 Katie Chapman  85'
MF 7 Karen Carney
FW 10 Kelly Smith
FW 12 Jill Scott
Substitutes
DF 5 Lindsay Johnson
MF 11 Sue Smith
GK 13 Siobhan Chamberlain
DF 15 Rachel Unitt
FW 16 Jody Handley
FW 17 Lianne Sanderson  81'
MF 18 Emily Westwood  85'
DF 19 Laura Bassett
MF 20 Danielle Buet
FW 21 Jessica Clarke
GK 22 Karen Bardsley
Manager
England Hope Powell
GK 1 Nadine Angerer
LB 4 Babett Peter
CB 3 Saskia Bartusiak
CB 5 Annike Krahn
RB 10 Linda Bresonik
MF 7 Melanie Behringer  60'
MF 6 Simone Laudehr
MF 14 Kim Kulig
MF 18 Kerstin Garefrekes  83'
FW 9 Birgit Prinz (c)
FW 8 Inka Grings
Substitutes
DF 2 Kerstin Stegemann
DF 11 Anja Mittag
GK 12 Ursula Holl
MF 13 Célia Okoyino da Mbabi  60'
MF 15 Sonja Fuss
FW 16 Martina Müller
FW 17 Ariane Hingst
FW 19 Fatmire Bajramaj  83'
FW 20 Jennifer Zietz
DF 21 Lisa Weiß
FW 22 Bianca Schmidt
Manager
Germany Silvia Neid

MATCH RULES

 Women's Euro 2009 

Germany
Seventh title

Goalscorers

German striker Inka Grings was the tournament's top scorer.
6 goals
3 goals

  • Germany Fatmire Bajramaj

2 goals

1 goal

own goals

Squads

For a list of all players that participated in the final tournament, see UEFA Women's Euro 2009 squads.

See also

References

  1. "England 2–6 Germany". BBC Sport. 2009-09-10. Retrieved 2009-09-10.
  2. uefa.com – UEFA Women's C'ship – Standings

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to UEFA Women's Championship 2009.