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1998 UEFA News
Draw for qualifying
groups for the next European Championships made in
Geneva, Switzerland Wedneday, December 15, 1998
Group 1: Sweden, France, Holland, Spain
Group 2: Norway, England, Portugal, Switzerland.
Group 3: Italy, Germany, Iceland, Ukraine.
Group 4: Denmark, Finland, Russia, Yugoslavia.
The first matches will be in August 1999. Final rounds in 2001.
November 28,
1998
UEFA U-18 mini-tournament Group 6 at four venues in West Midlands, England,
November 23, 25, and 27
Results
November 23 2pm GMT Republic of Ireland 2 Faroe Islands 0 7.30pm England 1 Holland 1 November 25 2pm Holland 2 Faroe Islands 0 7.30pm England 5 Rep.of Ireland 0 November 27 1pm Holland 3 Rep. of Ireland 1 1pm England 7 Faroe Islands 0
Standings
P W D L GF GA Pts Goal Diff England 3 2 1 0 13 1 7 +12 Holland 3 2 1 0 6 2 7 +4 Rep.of Ireland 3 1 0 2 3 8 3 -5 Faroe Islands 3 0 0 3 0 11 0 -11 England qualifies for quarter-finals. Draw will take place December 16, 1998
Monday, October 12,
1998
UEFA promotion
matches for the Women´s European Championships 1999-2000
completed October 10, 1998
Results:
England-Rumania 2-1
England winner with aggregate of 6-2
Switzerland-Poland 4-0
Switzerland winner with aggregate of 5-0
Spain-Scotland 4-1
Spain winner with aggregate of 7-1
Belgium-Yugoslavia 1-1
Yugoslavia winner with aggregate of 4-1Only change will be promotion for Yugoslavia and relegation for Belgium
UEFA's 2nd European Under-18 Championship 1998/99 Qualification Schedule
The following 28 soccer federations are taking part:
UEFA women's soccer commission chose the group formations during the March 17, 1998 meeting. The 8 qualified federations for the quarter finals of the 1st European Under-18 female championship 1997/98 (the winners of the mini-tournament of the qualifying round) have been chosen as heads of the 8 eight groups (Italy, Denmark, France, Germany, Holland, Norway, Russia and Sweden). The remaining federations have been placed in the following groups according to geographic criteria.
| Group 1 | Group 2 | Group 3 | Group 4 |
| France | Italy | Holland | Germany |
| Spain | Israel | England | Belgium |
| Switzerland | Slovenia | Faeroe Island | Czech Republic |
| Wales | Yugoslavia | Rep. Of Ireland | Hungary |
| Group 5 | Group 6 | Group 7 | Group 8 |
| Russia | Denmark | Sweden | Norway |
| Finland | Estonia | Bos.-Herzegovina | Turkey |
| Lithuania | Poland | Slovak Rep. | Ukraine |
The matches will take place in the form of a mini-tournament. The 8 winning nations will qualify for the quarter finals in order to determine the 4 nations that will take part in the final tournament in 1999. The quarter final matches and the semi-final matches were drawn during a meeting of UEFA_s female soccer commission on March 17, 1998.
Quarter finals:
Final tournament:
The final of the tournament will take place in June/July of 1999 in the country of one of the four qualified federations.
Sunday, October 11
Germany qualifies for World Cup '99 in 1-1 tie with Ukraine (goals by Prinz
for Germany, Frisjko for Ukraine) in Kiev, before 1,000 fans.
Russia qualified for World Cup '99 with a 2-1 win against Finland (goal for Finland by Uusi-Luomalatti, for Russia by Grigorjeva, and Jegrova) in Helsingfors before 3,326 fans
Saturday, October
10
Sweden 0 - Norway 2
(goals by Haugenes 11, Lehn 14) in a friendly international at Gothenburg,
Sweden before 1,732 fans
Friday, October 2
Italy's U-18
National Team trounces Israel 7-0
Italy's(coach Vittorio Russo) Under-18 National Team trounced Israel 7-0 in the
European championship qualifications in Yugoslavia. It was Italy's 1st
match. Thursday they'll face Slovenia. The winner of the
four-team tournament (Slovenia, Italy, Israel and Yugoslavia) will
advance to the finals. Yugoslavia beat Slovenia 9-0.
Italy 13 Slovenia 0 Yugoslavia 5 Israel 0 Italy - Yugoslavia will be played on the weekend.
Thursday, September
17
Germany edges closer to World Cup '99 with 5-0 win in first leg of play
off with Ukraine
Germany 4 -- Ukraine 0
Goals by Smisek (3), Muller (42), Prinz (53, 66), and Hoffman (80, hand ball penalty).
Germany dictated game from the beginning, and score could have been much higher if Germany had converted their many chances.
Previous first leg for Russia. Russia 2 Finland 1
September 17
SCOTLAND
0 -- SPAIN 3 in first leg of UEFA 1997-98 Promotion/relegation playoff matches
at Forthbank Stadium, Stirling Scotland September 13, 1998
Likely to keep Scotland out of European top 16 teams
Game Report
by Colin A. Aldis
In this first leg of the play-off, Spain (who reached the UEFA Semi- Finals last year) emerged as favourites to retain their status in the top 16 of European teams, after a 3-0 victory.
On a sunny but breezy afternoon, and a stone-throw from the historic Bannockburn, the first incident was a yellow card for Spain's Vanessa Rodriguz Vega, who tripped up the Scottish manager's (Jim Fleeting) daughter, Julie. Seconds later, Debbie McWhinnie bundled into the Spanish keeper, Elixabete Capa Cia, making it an untidy start to the game.
Scotland then settled down and Linda Brown (6 goal heroine in the 17-0 win over Lithuania) hit a shot from just outside the penalty area which was curling wide of the left post, but was collected by Elixabete Capa Cia. Then Claire Smith had a shot blocked, followed by a long forward pass by defender Linda Lindsay going directly to the Spanish keeper. Spain responded with a strong shot by Marina Nohalez Caballero, which was well held by keeper Gemma Fay.
In the 12th minute, Vanessa Rodriguez Vega sent a long ball forward from half-way which went harmlessly to the Scottish keeper. Soon after, Scotland created several chances, a header which was saved, followed by a corner on the right which was only partially cleared, the return cross headed just wide by Julie Fleeting. Then the Ayr United star created an opening for club team-mate Mhairi Gilmour, whose shot was blocked just inside the penalty area. Moments later, this good spell almost led to an opening goal, but from close to the left corner of the goal area, Debbie McWhinnie blasted the ball over the bar.
This spurred Spain into more action, and Palmira Chivite Jiminez hit a shot from over 30 metres which went just wide of the right post. Then Sara Monforte Mestre tried a shot from the left which went to Gemma Fay. A few minutes later, a pass out of defence was flicked on by the head of Auxiliadora Jimenez Gonzalez, with the ball going safely to the Scottish keeper. Scotland responded with a free kick on the left, but a touch-on by Linda Brown saw the ball go through to the Spanish keeper.
In the 27th minute, Spain broke the dead-lock with a fairly soft goal, with the ball coming from the right to AUXILIADORA J. GONZALEZ on the edge of the penalty area. A quick turn took her passed a couple of defenders and although her left foot shot appeared to be mis-hit, the ball bobbled its way into the right corner of the net, despite a full length dive by Gemma Fay. Scotland tried to reply immediately, but a shot by Debbie McWhinnie went just wide of the right post. The ball went to the other end, and a cross from the left by Sara Monforte Mestre was headed clear. Then Spain won a free kick just outside the penalty area, and Gemma Fay did well to hold onto a powerful shot by Raquel Cabezon Munoz.
Soon after, Julie Fleeting again showed good skill and speed to create an opening, but her low shot was saved by Elixabete Capa Cia. Then Debbie McWhinnie tried another shot which also went wide of the right post.
In the 33rd minute, Auxiliadora J. Gonzalez had space to hit a strong shot from the right which was on target, and Gemma Fay dived down to her left to make the save. She was annoyed to see the referee's assistant had awarded a corner to Spain. The ball was curled into the near post area and was headed out for another corner on the right. This one was headed away by Mhairi Gilmour, but the ball soon returned with a cross from the right by Auxiliadora J. Gonzalez, and Gemma Fay could only palm it across the face of the goal before the ball was cleared. A few minutes later, Scotland were awarded a free kick 20 metres from goal, but the over elaborate plan only allowed Julie Fleeting to hit the shot over the bar.
In the 43rd minute, Debbie McWhinnie again missed the target with a shot from just outside the penalty area. A couple of minutes later, Palmira Chivite Jiminez held up play by handling the ball and was cautioned by Mr. Kocev from Macedonia. Just before the half-time whistle, Debbie McWhinnie crashed into the Spanish keeper (who needed treatment) and was lucky not to receive a yellow card.
Spain made a change for the 2nd half, Palmira Chivite Jiminez being replaced by Laura Salguero Lopez. After an early midfield stalemate, Julie Fleeting hit a free kick against the defensive wall, with the ball deflecting to Elixabete Capa Cia. Moments later, Debbie McWhinnie tried a shot from the left which was also saved by the Spanish keeper.
In the 55th minute, Scotland made a change, Mhairi Gilmour going off and Julie Smith coming on. Moments later, Claire Smith sent over a free kick from the left, but Julie Fleeting could only glide the header to Elixabete Capa Cia. Spain responded with a corner on the left, but the ball was easily cleared. Soon after, Sara Monforte Mestre crossed the ball from the left, which was well held by Gemma Faye. Moments later, Debbie McWhinnie tripped up Marina Nohalez Caballero and the Scot was shown the yellow card. From the free kick, Auxiliadora J. Gonzalez was free to dribble the ball into the penalty area, Gemma Fay produced her best save, by diving down at the feet of the Spanish forward to grab the ball.
Moments later, the Scottish keeper was again in action, to block a close range shot with her legs and the ball was scrambled away. This spell of pressure led to the second goal, substitute Laura S. Lopez moving down the left and from close to the goal line, she cut the ball back to YOLANDA MATEOS FRANCO, who steered it into the right corner of the goal. Scotland responded with a free kick on the left, taken by Debbie McWinnie, which produced a strong header by Julie Fleeting, but the ball flew over the bar.
Soon after, Spain won a corner on the left, taken by Raquel C. Munoz, but the ball was cleared. On the break, Julie Fleeting was tripped by captain Rosa Castillo Varo, who was shown the yellow card. The free kick, some 25 metres from goal, went wrong and only produced a tame shot which was easily saved by Elixabete Capa Cia.
In the 72nd minute, Scotland made their second change, Denise Brolly going off, to be replaced by Pauline Hamill. Moments later, Auxiliadora J. Gonzalez made a quick break, but hit the shot just wide of the left post. Scotland responded with a cross from the left by Debbie McWinnie which was caught by the Spanish keeper. Within a minute, Spain struck the killer blow, good movement creating the chance for SARA MONFORTE MESTRE, as she moved into the penalty area, completely free, and hit the left corner of the net with a low shot to make it 3-0.
Scotland again tried to respond from the kick off, Debbie McWinnie sending the ball over from the left, which was headed back into the centre of the goal area, but the Spanish keeper did well to dive down and smother the danger. A minute later, Scotland made another change, Linda Lindsay going off, to be replaced by Rhonda Jones. The next Scottish attack again involved Debbie McWinnie, whose cross from the left was punched away by Elixabete Capa Cia. Then an angled shot from the left by Pauline Hamill was deflected for corner on the right. Played short, it produced a header going wide by Julie Fleeting.
In the 80th minute, a silly handball by Nicky Grant saw her given a yellow card. Seconds later, captain Pauline McDonald had a shot saved by the Spanish keeper. Scotland then had their best chance of a goal, Debbie McWinnie crossing the ball from the left, but with only the keeper to beat, Linda Brown headed the ball wide of the right post.
In the 87th minute, Spain decided to make a change, goalscorer Sara Monforte Mestre going off, to be replaced by Lidya Muruzabal Senosiain. Debbie McWinnie was again involved with the next attack for Scotland, but the long cross from the left went behind the ball. In the time (wasting) honoured ploy, Spain made another change, Yolanda Mateos Franco going off and Marisa Punal Valverde coming on. Into injury time, the new substitute sent over a cross from the right which was an easy catch for Gemma Fay. A couple of minutes later, it was Spain who were celebrating an important win, especially after a dismal run of results with two draws and 4 losses in their UEFA qualifying group.
Scotland will travel to Cordoba in October, for the second leg, and do their best to gain promotion, but it looks a very difficult task as a 4 goal winning margin will be required.
The next championship qualifying rounds will start in August 1999, leading to finals in 2001. At the moment, under the present rules, only eight of the top 16 counties will be able to qualify for these finals.
SCOTLAND |
SPAIN |
| 0 | 3 |
|---|---|
Venue: Forthbank Stadium, Stirling, Scotland | |
Date: September 13, 1998 | |
| SCOTLAND | SPAIN |
subs:
Coach: Jim Fleeting Yellow Card: |
subs:
Coach: Ignacio: Quereda Lavina Goals: Yellow Card: |
Referee: | |
| STATISTICS: | SCOTLAND | SPAIN |
| Goal Attempts | 20 | 10 |
| Corners | 2 | 4 |
| Keeper Saves | 10 | 11 |
| Offsides | 0 | 5 |
| Fouls | 19 | 15 |
September 1, 1998
| UEFA Play Offs (Home & Away) For WWCUP 99 Place | ||
|---|---|---|
| Date | Teams | Venue |
| Sept. 12 | Russia vs. Finland | Moscow |
| Sept. 17 | Germany vs. Ukraine | Germany |
| Oct. 11 | Finland vs. Russia | Helsinki |
| Oct. 11 | Ukraine vs. Germany | Ukraine |
August 31, 1998
Ukraine beats Iceland 1-0 and will play off against Germany for World Cup '99 place
At Kiev, Ukraine beat Iceland 1-0 to remain alive in competition for World Cup '99 place.
Standings | ||||||
| Sweden | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 18-5 | 18 |
| Ukraine | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 9-13 | 9 |
| Iceland | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5-9 | 5 |
| Spain | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 5-10 | 2 |
Denmark beats Belgium 4-0 in final game of UEFA Group 4
August 29 at Odense Stadium Denmark 4 Belgium 0 (2-0).
Goalscorers: Lene Jensen (14) - Gitte Krogh (29) - Janne Rasmussen (54) - Marlene Kristensen (80)
Attendance. 351
Standings | ||||||
| Denmark | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 22-3 | 18 |
| Russia | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 15-9 | 12 |
| Portugal | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 4-15 | 6 |
| Belgium | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 5-19 | 0 |
August 15, 1998
NORWAY v ENGLAND, UEFA/WWC '99
QUALIFYING MATCH, GROUP 3
AT ARASEN STADIUM, LILLESTROM, NORWAY, 15th August 1998, k.o.2pm
NORWAY WIN 2-0 TO REACH 3RD FIFA WORLD CUP FINALS.
Game Report
by Colin AldisThis was a crucial match for both Norway and Germany, with the home team scoring twice from two corners to win group 3, sending Germany into a 2 leg play-off with Iceland or Ukraine.
In front of 1057 spectators, on a wet and miserable afternoon north east of Oslo, Norway attacked from the start as Gro Espeseth (returning after a year's rest) sent in a long throw from the left. This was followed by a free kick, with the ball lofted into the penalty area, which was cleared by the England defence. A few minutes later, another long throw by Gro Espeseth was flicked on and Marianne Pettersen passed the ball to Margunn Haugenes, and her low angled shot went a fraction passed the right post. Then a cross from the left by Margunn Haugenes was headed by Marianne Pettersen, beating England keeper Pauline Cope to the ball, but it went just over the bar.
In the 10th minute, Norway won a corner on the left, but Hege Riise pulled it out of play. Then a superb forward pass to Ragnhild Gulbrandsen and her through ball put Marianne Pettersen clear. She took the ball around the diving Pauline Cope, but from an acute angle on the right her low shot rolled agonisingly wide of the left post. Soon after, Gro Espeseth took a corner on the right, with the ball headed away, but soon returned to Gro Espeseth and her next cross was sliced behind the goal. Then a long forward pass by Hege Riise skidded off the wet surface and the ball ran safely for Pauline Cope to collect. England replied with a long cross from the right by Karen Burke, which was headed backwards by Henriette Viker, with the ball looping towards the goal, but Bente Nordby made a safe catch.
In the 19th minute, Brit Sandaune sent over a cross from the right and a Marianne Pettersen header went just passed the left post. Then Pauline Cope had to move swiftly out of her area to clear a poor back pass. Half way through the first half, England created their first real chance, Karen Burke sending over a free kick from the left, which was headed just wide of the left post by Sam Britton. Norway responded with a cross from the left by Margunn Haugenes which went directly to the England keeper.
After Susan Smith came back to rescue a dangerous situation, by sliding the ball back to Pauline Cope, who cleared the ball up-field, England had a good spell, creating a few chances. Kelly Smith showed he usual talent of skipping passed opponents, this time on the right, but her low cross was cleared by a defender. Then a long free kick from the right went over all the players to keeper, Bente Nordby. This was followed by a skilful run by Rachel Yankee, which produced a rather tame shot by Karen Burke. A minute later, Sam Britton tried a shot from 25 metres, which went wide of the left post.
Norway replied with a cross from the right by Ragnhild Gulbrandsen which went to Pauline Cope. In the 40th minute, the home team had a great chance to take the lead, a forward pass putting Hege Riise clear on the right. Instead of shooting, the ball was rolled across the face of the goal, but from just inside the left edge of the goal area, Margunn Haugenes hit a strong shot just wide of the left post.
In trying to cover the danger, Pauline Cope hit her left leg against the goal-post and did well to continue. Soon after, Norway made a change, Silge Jorgensen being replaced by Hege Gunnerod. The corner kick delayed by the change produced an even better chance for Norway, the ball being returned to Marianne Pettersen, standing alone on the edge of the goal area, having been kept on-side by Susan Smith. But with only the limping Pauline Cope to beat, the Norwegian striker slid the ball wide of the right post. As England captain, Gillian Coultard was about to take the goal kick, she was cautioned by the referee from the Czech Republic, presumably for taking too long, although she was just moving the ball to the correct place.
Then another long throw into the penalty area, created a chance for Margunn Haugenes, but once again she narrowly missed the target. Just before the break, Kelly Smith tried a shot from the left which went just over the bar. Then Karen Walker broke clear on the left, but her cross was only touched on by Karen Burke and the ball was caught by Bente Nordby.
Early in the second half, Ragnhild Gulbrandsen made a break, but her shot went wide of the right post. Then Marianne Pettersen went clear, but Becky Easton did well to slide the ball out, for a corner on the left. Hege Riise swung the ball over, but Maureen Marley headed it clear. Soon after, Hege Riise threaded a great pass through for Marianne Pettersen, and her low shot was brilliantly saved by Pauline Cope, as she dived down to push the ball away. Moments later, the England keeper had to punch away a cross from the left.
In the 55th minute, Margunn Haugenes sent over a cross from the left and a header by Brit Sandaune flew just over the bar. Then Gillian Coultard showed all her experience to make a clearance. With most of the pressure on England, manager Hope Powell (in her 2nd match) decided to take off former club team-mate Joanne Broadhurst, to be replaced by another ex-team-mate, Tara Proctor. Soon after, Norway also made a change, Ragnhild Gulbrandsen going off to be replaced by Tone Gunn Frustol. Then Gro Espeseth sent a free kick forward giving Hege Riise a chance from 25 metres, but the ball went well over the bar. The same player then hit a similar shot, high and wide of the left post.
England replied with their first chance of the half, Kelly Smith making a strong run down the left, and trying a high shot which was saved at the near post by Bente Nordby.
The breakthrough for Norway came in the 71st minute, Margunn Haugenes making a run on the left and winning a corner on that side. Gro Espeseth surprisingly took this one, but with poor marking MARIANNE PETTERSEN had a free header to glide the ball down and into the right corner, past the despairing dive of Pauline Cope. At once, England made a change, Karen Walker who had little success against the strong Norwegian defence, was replaced by Kate Massey. The pressure on the England goal continued, with a pass from the left reaching Brit Sandaune on the right. As Pauline Cope came out to cover the danger, the ball was cut back for Hege Riise to try a low shot, but Becky Easton did a great job to block the shot, and clear the danger.
Norway then won a series of corners, on the left, all taken by Gro Espeseth. The first curled into the near post area where Gillian Coultard touched the ball out for the next one. This was headed away by Tara Proctor and soon after the third was punched clear by Pauline Cope.
In the 83rd minute, Margunn Haugenes fed the ball to Hege Riise, and from just wide of the left corner of the goal area, she hit a low shot which was a comfortable save for the England keeper. A couple of minutes later, Norway made another change, captain Margunn Haugenes going off to be replaced by Unni Lehn.
England then tested Bente Nordby when a cross from the right by Tara Proctor had to be caught by the Norwegian keeper. The ball went to the other end, for Brit Sandaune to hit a rising shot which was saved by Pauline Cope.
In the 89th minute, Norway won a corner on the left, again taken by Gro Espeseth, and the ball curled into the goal area. Both Gillian Coultard and Pauline Cope went for it, but the ball slipped passed them and BRIT SANDAUNE was in position to nudge it over the line for the crucial second goal. In stoppage time, Brit Sandaune met a cross from the left, and laid the ball back for Marianne Pettersen but her volley from 10 metres went straight to Pauline Cope. Then a cross from the right by Brit Sandaune went to Marianne Pettersen, who had a free header, but the ball went just over the bar.
Seconds later, Norway could celebrate an important victory and therefore reached the 3rd FIFA World Cup Finals. They will now be working hard to emulate the previous squads, who were runners-up in 1991 and the winners in 1995.
Meanwhile, England would need to re-group and prepare for the trip to Romania, in September to retain their status in the European top 16.
NORWAY |
ENGLAND |
| 2 | 0 |
|---|---|
Venue: Arasen Stadium, Lillestrom, Norway | |
| Date: August 15, 1998 | 2.00pm |
| NORWAY | ENGLAND |
subs:
Coach: Per M.Hogmo Goals: |
subs:
Coach: Hope Powell Yellow Card: Gillian Coultard |
Referee: | |
UEFA/WWC '99 -Group 3: FINAL TABLE | ||||||
| PI. | W | D | L | GF:GA | Pts | |
| Norway | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 12:4 | 13 |
| Germany | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 9:5 | 12 |
| Holland | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 5:10 | 7 |
| England | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 3:10 | 3 |
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UEFA Draw For 1999 Women's World Cup
The following groups for qualification for the 1999 World Cup in the USA were announced by the European Football Association. Each team in each group will play a home and away game with the other teams in its group. Those games will be played between August 1997 and August 1998.
The top two teams from each group will compete in September and October, 1998 for the final determination for going to the World Cup.
Group 1
Sweden
Spain
Iceland
UkraineGroup 2
Italy
Finland
France
SwitzerlandGroup 3
Norway
Germany
England
NetherlandsGroup 4
Russia
Denmark
Portugal
Belgium
As in most draws one group is usually considered to contain several of the stronger teams. As luck would have it, Norway and Germany find themselves in the same group again. If one looks at the 1996 Olympics, 1997 UEFA, etc., it seems that Norway and Germany are always battling it out in yet another game in the same group, and in this case the rest of the group will give them both a good game. Norway does not qualify for an automatic berth in WWC 1999 as the reigning world champion according to FIFA.
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