Results of UEFA semi-finals played today

By Thorsten Frennstedt

Germany 1 Norway 0

Germany defeated the Norwegian Olympic gold-team by 1-0 (1-0) in the first UEFA semi-final in Ulm in front of more than 15.000 spectators in the Donaustadion. It was a safe home win. Germany performed excellently and left just a few chances for Norway to score. The best one was when Linda Ormen headed shot into the cross bar of Silke Rottensberg´s goal early in the second half. Sandra Smisek however was succesful when she got the ball from Pia Wunderlich in the 56th muinute and headed just under the cross bar. Birgit Prinz was the striker for the Germans to reach. Renate Lingor was as succesful as Bettina Wiegmann of Boston Breakers, the MVP of the match, in the midfield. Birgit hit the post in the 77th min out of the reach for Bente Nordby, the Norwegian top class keeper who might have played her last international.
The Norwegians still create chances out of nothing but they have lost the ability to score. Solveig Gulbrandsen, Dagny Mellgren and Linda Ormen were not able to fight down Doris Fitschen (Philadelphia Charge) and Steffie Jones. Germany meet Sweden in the final on Saturday.

Sweden 1 Denmark 0

By Thorsten Frennstedt

As predicted Sweden and Denmark, the two Scandinavian neighbours played a very close semifinal in the European Championsips in Ulm. Sweden won 1-0 (0-0). Tina Nordlund scored in the 9th minute of the match.
Both Sweden and Denmark had chances to score, Sweden to close the game. Therese Lundin made her first appearence during the tournament and forced Denish keeper Hidu Johansen to two great safes in the first half. Hanna Ljungberg was kept under sharp surveylence but she made space for other Swedes to attack. Sweden´s defence really missed injuried Jane Törnqvist though substitute Sara Larsson played well

Above all keeper Caroline Jönssonmade great saves from Gitte Krogh and Ndia Kjaeldgaard in the 2nd half when Denmark came back.. Christina Bonde again found the gaps in the opposite backline. Sweden´s midfielder Malin Moström was awarded the MVP for great midfield play in the area where the Danes were supposed to start their attacks with short and quick passes.
The Euro 01 will finish like the inaugural, Germany against Sweden. Swedish head coach Marika Domanski-Lyfors says she and her team have learned a lot by watching the Germans both live and by video to play a closer game then the first when Germany safely won 3-1. The final will be on Saturday in Ulm, Germany.