History
Friday 27 April 2007
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Just as at senior female level, Germany have been the nation to beat in the UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship. They won a hat-trick of titles between 2000 and 2002 before claiming a fourth and fifth in 2006 and 2007, a dominance underlined by the fact that no other country has ever won more than once.
Denmark honour
Germany failed to get beyond the semi-finals when the tournament began life as a U18 competition in 1997/98, knocked out by eventual winners Denmark. The trophy stayed in Scandinavia the following season as Sweden prevailed before Germany gave warning of what was to come, claiming back-to-back titles following victories over Spain and Norway. The format was changed to U19s in 2001/02, but it did not spoil Germany's run as the 34 teams were whittled down to eight for the finals and then just two: themselves and France. Like two years earlier Germany again triumphed, winning 3-1 in Helsingborg.
France triumphant
It was France's second final defeat, having also lost the inaugural tournament, but they made it third time lucky in 2003. Hosts Germany were eliminated in the group stage, opening the door for France to overcome Norway 2-0 in Leipzig to finally engrave their names on the trophy. Germany appeared back to their awesome best the following season, plundering a tournament record 23 goals en route to the final including a 7-0 victory over Spain in the group stage. But it was a different matter in the rematch for the showpiece as Spain held on for a 2-1 win.
Russian success
Spain failed to qualify to defend their title in Hungary in 2005 as Russia held their nerves to beat France 6-5 on penalties in the final. Elena Danilova their star with nine goals in the final tournament and was leading scorer again in 2005/06. Yet Russia lost 4-0 to Germany in the semi-finals, and Maren Meinert's side went on to defeat France 3-0 to clinch their fourth success, twins Isabel and Monique Kerschowski each scoring in both of those matches. Both were involved again in 2007 in Iceland, and Monique struck in the final to secure a 2-0 win against England in extra time, Nathalie Bock having opened the scoring.
Germany dominant
England's time was to come, however. After Alice Parisi's 71st-minute spot-kick saw Italy pip Norway to the title in France in 2008, Mo Marley's charges became the eight side to lift the trophy in Belarus 12 months later. Their goal unbreached throughout a tournament that attracted record crowds, England were just too strong for Sweden in the showpiece as first-half goals from Toni Duggan and Jordan Nobbs secured the coveted silverware.
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