July 25, 2003

Lionesses kick-off European campaign with victory

UEFA Under-19 European Championship Finals

England 2 Sweden 1

Friday 25th July,

Markenstadt, Germany

Scoring

England: Alex Scott, 40

Sweden: Yolanda Odenyo 57

England Fara Williams89

England kicked-off their European Championship campaign on Friday night with a victory against a tournament favourite, Sweden.

Captain Williams secured her Woman of the Match with England's winner in the 89th minute.

Scott capitalised on good early play by England in the first half with the opening goal. Traynor headed on a Ward throw-in into the box. It bounced for Scott to wrap her foot around the ball and put it into the top left corner for the lead.

Sweden came out after the break pushing for the equaliser and it came on 57 minutes when their captain Odenyo sent a header goalbound from a corner. It deflected off an England defender's head and into the net past California-based goalkeeper Bardsley, who was making her debut for England. Both sides had chances to win the game and Bardsley did well to command her area, saving a couple of one-on-one chances.

Late on in the game England ensured that they had the best possible start to the group stage. The lively Potter sent a diagonal through ball for substitute Ta to chase. She cut it inside to Asante, who played it back to Williams. She volleyed the ball with her first touch from 25 yards out through the goalkeeper's hands.

Sweden pushing hard during a tense five minutes of injury time but the whistle blew for a well deserved England victory.

England has a day of rest before playing Italy on Sunday with a 2.00pm GMT kick-off in Germany.. Italy surprised Germany. 2-0 in their opening game. The host side Germany has won the last three annual European Finals at this age group.

England:

Bardsley, Karen

Cox, Shelly

Traynor, Jo

Kemp, Hayley

Asante, Anita

Potter, Jo (Evans, Michelle, 90)

Fara Williams -Captain

McDougall, Kelly

Scott, Alex (Cardin, Faye, 81)

Ward, Kayt

Aluko, Eniola (Ta, Sheuneen, 75 ).

Substitutes not used:

Telfird, Carly (GK),

Ta, Sheuneen,

Adams, Georgie,

Bailey,. Beth

Suspended: Emma Thomas (sending off in Second Group Stage)

Sweden

Edman,Maria

Paulson,Anna

Nilsson, Maria

Odenyo, Yolanda -Captain

Karlsson, Maria

Seger, Caroline

Fischer, Nilla

Almgren, Johanna

Norgbrandc, Maria

Andreason, Jennie

Tingvall,. Natalie