Ghana U-20 Champions

Results from the final and bronze match in FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt.

Final

Ghana-Brazil 4-3 pen

Bronze match

Hungary-Costa Rica 3-1 pen

Honduras to WC, Costa Rica to play-off

Results from the last games in World Cup qualification in North, Central America and Caribbean.

El Salvador-Honduras 0-1
Trinidad&Tobago-Mexico 2-2
USA-Costa Rica 2-2

Argentina hold on to WC place

Results from the last games in World Cup qualification in South America.

Paraguay-Colombia 0-2
Peru-Bolivia 1-0
Uruguay-Argentina 0-1
Brazil-Venezuela 0-0
Chile-Ecuador 1-0

Switzerland and Slovakia to South Africa

Results from the last group stage games in World Cup qualification in Europe.

Denmark-Hungary 0-1
Portugal-Malta 4-0
Sweden-Albania 4-1
Greece-Luxembourg 2-1
Latvia-Moldova 3-2
Switzerland-Israel 0-0
Czech Republic-Northern Ireland 0-0
Poland-Slovakia 0-1
San Marino-Slovenia 0-3
Azerbaijan-Russia 1-1
Germany-Finland 1-1
Liechtenstein-Wales 0-2
Bosnia-Herzegovina-Spain 2-5
Turkey-Armenia 2-0
Estonia-Belgium 2-0
Andorra-Ukraine 0-6
Kazakhstan-Croatia 1-2
England-Belarus 3-0
Lithuania-Serbia 2-1
Romania-Faroe Islands 3-1
France-Austria 3-1
Bulgaria-Georgia 6-2
Ireland-Montenegro 0-0
Italy-Cyprus 3-2

Ghana and Brazil in U-20´s final

Results semi finals in FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt.

Ghana-Hungary 3-2
Brazil-Costa Rica 1-0

Bolivia beat Brazil

One game in World Cup qualification in South America on sunday.

Bolivia-Brazil 2-1

Close in Africa WC qualification

Results from World Cup qualification in Africa on sunday.

Tunisia-Kenya 1-0
Nigeria-Mozambique 1-0
Algeria-Rwanda 3-1
Mali-Sudan 1-0
Benin-Ghana 1-0
Guinea-Burkina Faso 1-2

Close fight in South America

World Cup qualification South America on saturday.

Argentina-Peru 2-1
Colombia-Chile 2-4
Ecuador-Uruguay 1-2
Venezuela-Paraguay 1-2

USA and Mexico to the World Cup

Last night´s games in North, Central America and Caribbean World Cup qualification.

Costa Rica-Trinidad&Tobago 4-0
Mexico-El Salvador 4-1
Honduras-USA 2-3

Heartland FC to CAF CL final

Result CAF Champions League semi final leg 2.

Kano Pillars (NIG)-Heartland FC (NIG) 0-1 agg. 0-5

Four more teams though to the WC from Europe

Plenty of games in the World Cup qualification in Europe.

Denmark-Sweden 1-0
Portugal-Hungary 3-0
Israel-Moldova 3-1
Greece-Latvia 5-2
Luxembourg-Switzerland 0-3
Czech Republic-Poland 2-0
Slovakia-Slovenia 0-2
Liechtenstein-Azerbaijan 0-2
Finland-Wales 2-1
Russia-Germany 0-1
Belgium-Turkey 2-0
Estonia-Bosnia-Herzegovina 0-2
Armenia-Spain 1-2
Ukraine-England 1-0
Belarus-Kazakhstan 4-0
France-Faroe Islands 5-0
Austria-Lithuania 2-1
Serbia-Romania 5-0
Ireland-Italy 2-2
Montenegro-Georgia 2-1
Cyprus-Bulgaria 4-1

Draw took Côte d´Ivoire to World Cup

Tonight´s results from the World Cup qualification in Africa.

Gabon-Morocco 3-1
Cameroon-Togo 3-0
Zambia-Egypt 0-1
Malawi-Côte d´Ivoire 1-1

This means Côte d´Ivoire are through the to the tournament.

Bahrain and New Zealand in first paly-off meeting

The first Asia/Oceania play-off meeting for the FIFA World Cup was played tonight.

Bahrain-New Zealand 0-0

Brazil and Costa Rica from behind to victory

The last two quarter finals in FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt were played tonight.

Brazil-Germany 2-1 aet
United Arab Emirates-Costa Rica 1-2 aet

Ghana and Hungary to the semi finals

The first two quarter finals were played in FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt last night.

Korea Republic-Ghana 2-3
Italy-Hungary 2-3 aet

The other two quarter finals are being played tonight.

Plenty of goals in UEFA Women´s CL

The second leg of round of 32 in UEFA Women´s Champions League was played yesterday.

Montpellier (FRA)-Standard (BEL) 3-1 agg. 3-1
Neulengbach (AUT)-Raciborz (POL) 0-1 agg. 3-2
Valur (ISL)-Torres (ITA) 1-2 agg. 2-6
Umea (SWE)-Kharkov (UKR) 6-0 agg. 11-0
Brondby (DEN)-AZ (NED) 1-1 agg. 3-2
Sparta Praha (CZE)-Alma (KAZ) 2-0 agg. 2-1
Lyon (FRA)-Masinac (SRB) 5-0 agg. 6-0
Duisburg (GER)-Vitebsk (BLR) 6-3 agg. 11-4
Rossiyanka (RUS)-Rayo (ESP) 2-1 agg. 5-2
Bayern (GER)-Viktoria (HUN) 4-2 agg. 9-2
Zvezda (RUS)-Sarajevo (BIH) 5-0 agg. 8-0
Turbine (GER)-Honka (FIN) 8-0 agg. 16-1
Arsenal (ENG)-PAOK (GRE) 9-0 agg. 18-0
Everton (ENG)-Roa (NOR) 2-0 agg. 2-3
Linkoping (SWE)-Zürich (SUI) 3-0 agg. 5-0
Bardolino (ITA)-Hjorring (DEN) 2-1 agg. 2-5

Germany the last team to qualify for the quarter finals

The last three games in round of 16 were played in FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt last night.

Brazil-Uruguay 3-1
Venezuela-United Arab Emirates 1-2
Germany-Nigeria 3-2

Ghana, Costa Rica and Hungary advances

Three games in round of 16 were played on tuesday in FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt.

Ghana-South Africa 2-1 aet
Egypt-Costa Rica 0-2
Hungary-Czech Republic 4-3 pen

Italy and Korea Republic the first tqo quarter finalists

Results from the first two games in the round of 16 in FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt.

Spain-Italy 1-3
Paraguay-Korea Republic 0-3

Heartland FC and TP Mazembe close to CAF CL final

Results CAF Champions League semi finals first leg.

Heartland FC (NIG)-Kano Pillars (NIG) 4-0
Al Hilal (SUD)-TP Mazembe (DRC) 2-5

Return games on 17 and 18 October.

Last group stage games in FIFA U-20´s

The last group stage games in FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt were played last night.

Group E

Costa Rica-Czech Republic 2-3
Australia-Brazil 1-3

Group F

Hungary-United Arab Emirates 2-0
South Africa-Honduras 2-0

Brazil, Czech Republic and Costa Rica all went through from group E and the same goes for Hungary, UAE and South Africa in group F. All the match couples in the round of 16 are now set up.

Groups C and D decided in Egypt

Results from FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt on friday.

Group C

Germany-Cameroon 3-0
Korea Republic-USA 3-0

Group D

Uruguay-Ghana 2-2
Uzbekistan-England 1-1

These results means that Germany, Korea Republic and USA are all through from group C. From group D Ghana and Uruguay goes on the next stage and also Nigeria in group B as one of the best third placed teams are through.

Three teams through from group A

The last round of group stage games started in FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt on thursday.

Group A

Italy-Egypt 2-4
Trinidad&Tobago-Paraguay 0-0

Group B

Tahiti-Nigeria 0-5
Venezuela-Spain 0-3

Egypt, Paraguay and Italy are all through from group A. Spain with full points and Venezuela have qualified from group B, while Nigeria have to wait for results from the other groups.

Two more games in CONCACAF CL

There were two more games played in CONCACAF Champions League last night. Sorry for the miss!

Houston Dynamo (USA)-Pachuca (MEX) 0-1
DC United (USA)-San Juan Jabloteh (TRI) 5-1

Pachuca also secured a place in the quarter finals.

Pumas Unam to the quarters, Real Espana win

Two games were played in CONCACAF Champions League last night.

Pumas Unam (MEX)-W Connection (TRI) 2-1
Real Espana (HON)-Comunicaciones (GUA) 2-0

Pumas Unam qualified for the quarter finals and Real Espana took the last chance to clinch on for a quarter final berth in the last game.

Close games in UEFA CL

UEFA Champions League on wednesday.

Bayern München (GER)-Juventus (ITA) 0-0
Bordeaux (FRA)-Maccabi Haifa (ISR) 1-0
Manchester U (ENG)-Wolfsburg (GER) 2-1
CSKA (RUS)-Besiktas (TUR) 2-1
Milan (ITA)-Zürich (SUI) 0-1
Real Madrid (ESP)-Marseille (FRA) 3-0
Apoel (CYP)-Chelsea (ENG) 0-1
Porto (POR)-Atletico (ESP) 2-0

Brazil, Chezh Republic and UAE to the next stage

Results from FIFA U-20 World Cup on wednesday.

Group E

Australia-Costa Rica 0-3
Brazil-Czech Republic 0-0

Group F

Hungary-South Africa 4-0
United Arab Emirates-Honduras 1-0

UEFA Women´s CL round of 32

Results from the first leg in round 32 of UEFA Women´s Champions League.

Standard (BEL)-Montpellier (FRA) 0-0
Raciborz (POL)-Nuelngbach (AUT) 1-3
Torres Calcio (ITA)-Valur (ISL) 4-1
Zhilstroy-1 (RUS)-Umea IK (SWE) 0-5
AZ (NED)-Brondby (DEN) 1-2
Alma (KAZ)-Sparta Praha (CZE) 1-0
Masinac (SRB)-Lyon (FRA) 0-1
Vitebsk (BLR)-Duisburg (GER) 1-5
Viktoria (HUN)-Bayern München (GER) 0-5
Sarajevo (BIH)-Zvezda-2005 (RUS) 0-3
Honka (FIN)-Turbine Potsdam (GER) 1-8
PAOK (GRE)-Arsenal (ENG) 0-9
Roa (NOR)-Everton (ENG) 3-0
Zürich (SUI)-Linkoping (SWE) 0-2
Hjorring (DEN)-Bardolino (ITA) 4-0

Quarter finas decided in AFC CL

The second legs of the quarter finals in AFC Champions League were played tonight.

Pohang Steelers (KOR)-Bunyodkor (UZB) 4-1 aet 3-1 agg. 5-4
Nagoya Grampus (JPN)-Kawasaki Frontale (JPN) 3-1 agg. 4-3
FC Seoul (KOR)-Umm Salal (QAT) 1-1 agg. 3-4
Al Ittihad (KSA)-Pakhtakor (UZB) 4-0 agg. 5-1

Big win for Arabe Unido in CONCACAF CL

Results from CONCACAF Champions League tuesday.

Arabe Unido (PAN)-Metapan (SLV) 6-0
Columbus (USA)-Saprissa (CRC) 1-1
Cruz Azul (MEX)-PR Islanders (PUR) 2-0

Mixed results in UEFA CL

UEFA Champions League games on tuesday.

Fiorentina (ITA)-Liverpool (ENG) 2-0
Debrecen (HUN)-Lyon (FRA) 0-4
Rubin Kazan (RUS)-Inter (ITA) 1-1
Barcelona (ESP)-Dynamo Kyiv (UKR) 2-0
Unirea (ROU)-Stuttgart (GER) 1-1
Rangers (SCO)-Sevilla (ESP) 1-4
Arsenal (ENG)-Olympiacos (GRE) 2-0
AZ (NED)-Standard (BEL) 1-1

Ghana and Uruguay qualifies for next stage

Tuesday´s results from FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt.

Group C

Korea Republic-Germany 1-1
USA-Cameroon 4-1

Group D

Uruguay-Uzbekistan 3-0
Ghana-England 4-0

Some late goals in Egypt last night

Results from FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt on monday.

Group A

Italy-Trinidad&Tobago 2-1
Egypt-Paraguay 1-2

Group B

Nigeria-Spain 0-2
Tahiti-Venezuela 0-8

Sunday´s games in Egypt

Results from sunday´s opening games of groups E and F in FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt.

Group E

Brazil-Costa Rica 5-0
Czech Republic-Australia 2-1

Group F

United Arab Emirates-South Africa 2-2
Honduras-Hungary 3-0

Four games, four winners in Egypt tonight

Tonight´s results in FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt.

Group C

USA-Germany 0-3
Cameroon-Korea Republic 2-0

Group D

Ghana-Uzbekistan 2-1
England-Uruguay 0-1

Spain scores eight, Venezuela defeats Nigeria

Results from FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt today.

Group A

Paraguay-Italy 0-0

Group B

Nigeria-Venezuela 0-1
Spain-Tahiti 8-0

DC United and Pumas Unam strong at home

Last night´s results in CONCACAF Champions League group stage.

Group B

DC United (USA)-Marathon (HON) 3-0

Group D

Pumas Unam (MEX)-Real Espana (HON) 4-0

Great start for the hosts

FIFA U-20 World Cup kicked-off in Egypt.

Group A

Egypt-Trinidad&Tobago 4-1

Draw in the last quarter final in AFC CL

Result from the fourth and last first leg quarter final in AFC Champions League.

Pakhtakor (UZB)-Al Ittihad (KSA) 1-1

Two away wins in CONCACAF CL

Last night´s results from CONCACAF Champions League group stage.

Group B

Toluca (MEX)-San Juan Jabloteh (TRI) 3-0

Group C

Columbus Crew (USA)-Cruz Azul (MEX) 0-2

Group D

Comunicaciones (GUA)-W Connection (TRI) 0-3

FIFA U-20 WC to kick-off on thursday

Waiting for next summer´s big FIFA World Cup in South Africa the smaller FIFA World Cup for U-20´s will take place in Egypt in the opposite part of Africa between 24 October to 16 November. Maybe even some of the players from this tournament will show up in South Africa next summer.

Twenty four teams have qualified for the tournament. They are divided into six groups from which sixteen teams will go on to the next round.

Reigning champions are Argentina, who defeated Czech Republic in the final in Canada two years ago. Chile took the bronze medals. Argentina also won the tournament in 2005 and is the country with most titles, six, since the start of this tournament in Tunisia back in 1977. Brazil has four titles.

In the opening game on thursday host nation Egypt takes on Trinidad&Tobago in group A.

New CONMEBOL site

The South American football confederation CONMEBOL has got a new site layout.

German efficiency beat English efforts

For those who like to see goals in football this nights final in Women´s Euro 2009 in Finland was a party. In a game full of action Germany scored six times and England twice.

Although it ended with quite a big victory for Germany it was a close game for most of the time. In the first half England had almost more of the play and Germany´s two goals seemed to come out of nothing. Germany took a 2-0 lead thanks to two goals in two minutes. The first goal started from Simone Laudehr at the midfield who could go forward unattacked before she played the ball to Inka Grings who turned the ball to Birgit Printz who scored.

Two minutes later Melanie Behringer went for a long distance shot which found it´s way right in the upper corner. England game back two minutes later when Karen Carney scored on Kelly Smith´s forework.

2-1 to Germany was the score at half time. Only four minutes into the second half Kim Kulig made it 3-1 in the afterplay to a corner, just for Kelly Smith to pay back four minutes later.

In this situation with Germany leading 3-2 England was still there and it was a close game. The decisive part of the game came when Inka Grings scored Germany´s fourth goal, and after she scored also a fifth goal it was all done.

At the end it was all about Germany and Printz could score her second to make it 6-2.

One could say that what decided the game was Germany´s efficiency, because in trying England was at least at the same level. Germany seemed to be more of a team, without stars, while England is more dependent on some individuals succeeding.

Grings was names Player of the Mathc and she also got rewarded for scoring most goals in the tournament, six goals.

England and Germany meet in Helsinki

Just about half an hour left to kick-off in Women´s Euro 2009 final at the Olympic Stadium in Helsinki. It´s an unusually nice autumn evening here in southern Finland with some sunshine and pretty warm air.

The teams are warming up at the moment.

Lineups.

England:

1.Rachel Brown
2.Alex Scott
3.Casey Stoney
4.Fara Williams
6.Anita Asante
7.Karen Carney
8.Katie Chapman
9.Eniola Aluko
10.Kelly Smith
12.Jill Scott
14.Faye White c

Jill Scott who came on as a substitute in the semi final and scored the winner now gets her chance from start, interesting also to see that captain Faye White is back from the knock at the cheekbone she received earlier in the tournament.

Germany:

1.Nadine Angerer
3.Saskia Bartusiak
4.Babett Peter
5.Annike Krahn
6.Simone Laudehr
7.Melanie Behringer
8.Inka Grings
9.Birgit Printz
10.Linda Bresonik
14.Kim Kulig
18.Kerstin Garefrekes

One change in the German team. Simone Laudehr who was voted Player of the Match in the semi final goes in to the opening lineup.

Final tomorrow

The final of Women´s Euro 2009 in Finland will take place tomorrow when England and Germany will meet for the title.

A preview of the final:

England are the underdogs going into the final and they have everything to win. Already the place in the final is a half win for them, although the title would bring the full prize for the team. Germany showed strength in the semi final coming back from 0-1 at half time against Norway and a dull performance in the first half. At the same time Norway showed that it is possible to get the Germans out of balance.

Both teams have showed that their strongest part of the team is the midfield. The team that wins the battle there will be in a strong position.

And the most important issue is which of the head coaches can get their team better prepared, Hope Powell of England or Silvia Neid of Germany.

Germany joins England in the final

It will be Germany who makes company with England in Women´s Euro 2009 in Finland. In tonight´s semi final they defeated Norway 3-1 (0-1).


As the result tells it wasn´t an easy victory for the Germans. In the first half Norway played well and made the Germans look very vulnerable. The Norwegians took the lead after ten minutes when Isabell Herlovsen headed a corner into the net. After that they also hit the post once.

In the second half Germany came very strong from the start and changed the game around in two minutes at the hour mark. First Simone Laudehr was last at a cross from Melanie Behringer and right after another cross, from Babett Peter, found Celia Mbabia and it was 2-1 to Germany. In overtime Fatmire Bajramaj scored a third goal and conceled Germanys victory.

Although Germany had the lead Norway fought for an equalizer all the way to the end and created a couple of good chances.

All the scorers for Germany had started the game on the bench. So both semi finals were decided by substitutes, talk about succesfull changes.

The final between England and Germany will be played at the Olympic Stadium in Helsinki on thursday.

Second semi final

Hallo from Helsinki Football Stadium and the second semi final in Women´s Euro 2009. Germany and Norway are soon ready to enter the pitch and find out who will meet England in the final on thursday.

Lineups.

Germany:

1.Nadine Angerer
3.Saskia Bartusiak
4.Babett Peter
5.Annike Krahn
7.Melanie Behringer
8.Inka Grings
9.Birgit Printz
10.Linda Bresonik
14.Kim Kulig
18.Kerstin Garefrekes
22.Bianca Schmidt

One change from the quarter final. Bartusiak replaces injured Ariane Hingst in the defense.

Norway:

1.Ingrid Hjelmseth
2.Toril Akerhaugen
3.Marita Skammelsrud Lund
4.Ingvild Stensland c
5.Anneli Giske
6.Camilla Huse
8.Solveig Gulbrandsen
9.Isabell Herlovsen
11.Leni Kaurin
17.Maren Mjelde
21.Lene Storlokken

Two changes for Norway Skammelsrud Lund takes Trine Ronnings place at the back, while Kaurin is replacing Elise Thorsnes at the attack.

England defeated Netherlands in extra time

England tonight became the first team to reach the final in Women´s Euro 2009 in Finland, but they had to fight hard for the win against Netherlands and scored the decisive 2-1 goal in extra time.

The game had one face, England holding the ball and trying to break down the orange wall of ten defending players of Netherlands.

It was seldom Netherlands got forward to attack, but they managed once and that was enough to equalize England´s lead and take the game to extra time. England didn´t have many chances either, because of good defending from the oranges.

After one hour of play they did manage to break down the wall. Jessica Clarke put pressure on a defender and got the ball to Eniola Aluko who found Kelly Smith in front of the goal. Smith who was the number one threat upfront for England made no mistake.

It took Netherlands only three minutes to get the equalizer, and it all started with an excellent back heel pass from Karin Stevens who set Manon Melis free at the right flank and her pass in to the goal finally ended up with Marlous Pieete who scored.

At the end of ordinary time England pushed hard for a winning goal, but didn´t manage to get through the Netherlands defense led by skipper Daphen Koster.

The same way it continued during extra time, and it was all set for a penalty shoot out when England got a corner. Karen Carney gave the corner and Jill Scott, free in front of the goal, headed the ball into the net.

Two substitutes, Carney and Scott, had given England the win and a big celebration followed. Smith was named Player of the Match.

In the final England will meet the winner of the second semi final between Germany and Norway tomorrow.

Lineups in today´s game

Lineups England-Netherlands in Women´s Euro 2009 tonight.

England:

1.Rachel Brown
2.Alex Scott
3.Casey Stoney
4.Fara Williams c
5.Lindsay Johnson
6.Anita Asante
8.Katie Chapman
9.Eniola Aluko
10.Kelly Smith
11.Sue Smith
21.Jessica Clarke

Netherlands:

1.Loes Geurts
2.Dyanne Bito
3.Daphne Koster c
4.Manoe Meulen
5.Petra Hogewoning
6.Anouk Hoogendijk
7.Annemieke Kiesel-Griffioen
9.Manon Melis
10.Karin Stevens
11.Sylvia Smit
19.Marlous Pieete

In wait for the semi finals

Women´s Euro 2009 in Finland has reached the semi final stage. The first semi final will be played tomorrow sunday and the other on monday.

In wait for the games here is something about the expectations.

Sunday:

England-Netherlands

England and Netherlands will be up against each other in Tampere. I still haven´t seen Netherlands in action in the tournament, but their results have been encouraging and they have shown some mental strength. This especially goes for the quarter final where they defeated France in a penalty shoot out. This is their first appearnace in the Women´s Euro, so as a debutant one has to say they have done splendidly.

Of the teams left in the tournament England is the team that has shown most aggressivity and winners instinct. This took them through the group stage despite a difficult beginning and it took them past Finland in the quarter final. Can they keep this up also in the semi final?

Probably England as the more experienced team can be seen as slightly favourites, but it is really an open game.

Monday:

Germany-Norway

This game will be played at Helsinki Football Stadium. Germany is the only team that has won all of their games so far in the tournament. In the first group stage these two teams were up against each other and then Germany won 4-0, but with three of the goals coming in the dying moments of the game.

Germany, of course, are the favourites. Especially there midfield has been very strong so far, and this has given their defense some kind of a quiet being. This part of the team is still to be tested. There has been some signs of insecurity at the back. Upfront they have got Inka Grings finishing off her chances with good efficiency.

Norway has all since that first game been an underdog. They were under real pressure for some moments against France, and most experts saw Sweden as the favourite in the quarter final. But Norway stood up well and showed their critics what they are able to. The question is if they used all their energy against their Nordic neighbours or if they can find the strength to also put pressure on and even surprise Germany.

Norway to meet Germany in semi

Norway went away with a 3-1 victory against neighbours Sweden when the last quarter final in Women´s Euro 2009 in Finland was played tonight. This means they will be up against Germany in the semi final on monday.

It was two goals late in the first half that made way for Norway´s victory, the first one being an own goal by Sweden. In the second half Norway scored a third goal before Sweden got a concellation at the end of the game.

This result shows that anything can happen in football. Sweden won their group undefeated, while Norway went through as third in their group. Still, there has been something missing in Sweden´s game although their defense was solid up til today. At the same time Norway has shown they have the fighting spirit and that is what is needed to win close games.

Germany through to the semis

Germany were favourites in todays quarter final against Italy in Women´s Euro 2009 in Finland, and they lived up to the expectations. But it went close, and the game could very well have gone into extra time.

Now it ended 2-1 (1-0) to Germany after they had scored early on in both halves of the game. In both occasions Inka Grings was the player putting the ball in the net, after great set ups from her team mates.

Germany controlled the game and Italy felt a bit light against the physical German players. The Germans controlled the air and the midfield. Upfront Grings was an ever threatening force. Still it was quite obvious they have more to give than what they did today.

Italy couldn´t create much and got their goal almost out of nothing in the second half. It was Patrizia Panico who found the net. Otherwise Panico was most often too lonely at the top. At the end when Italy pushed for an equalizer she got some more support, especially from Melania Gabbiadini on the right flank. Almost all of Italy´s attacks came on that front.

And it was very close that they got an equalizer in overtime when Gabbiadini crossed and Panico got a header from close range, but it was magnificently saved by Nadine Angerer.

Grings was named Player of the Match, which is not much to say about. She was number one on the pitch this day.

Germany´s opponent in the semi final will be decided later tonight when Sweden and Norway play in Helsinki.

Two quarter finals today

Women´s Euro 2009 in Finland continues today with the two remaining quarter finals. Soccer-stadium.net is in Lahti to follow the game between Germany and Italy. Later today Sweden and Norway will meet in Helsinki.

Germany are the favourites against Italy after winning all of their group stage games and as reigning champions. Italy did however win two of their games in the group stage and might give the Germans a close fight.

Netherlands to the semis

The later semi final yesterday between Netherlands and France in Women´s Euro 2009 in Finland became a close encounter with a goalless result at full time and after extra time. After a penalty shoot-out Netherlands finally stood as the winner.

This put them up against England in the first semi final on sunday.

England beats Finland, qualifies for semi

The first quarter final in Women´s Euro 2009 in Finland became quite dramatic with England defeating the host nation 3-2.

It was a game that started with no real structure until England took the lead in the 14:th minute when Eniola Aluko was played free with the Finnish goalkeeper and scored.

The rest of the first half there was a tendency that England had some kind of control of the game. They seemed to have more time when they had the ball, while the Finns were more stressed. This was the trend all through the game.

Second half started with England scoring their second in the aftermath to a free kick. Fara Williams got the goal.

All looked set for an English win, but Finland hadn´t given up. Substitute Annica Sjölund made it 1-2 on a corner kick, but right in the next minute Aluko scored her second and England again had a two goal lead.

Finland came back once more when Linda Sällström headed the ball into the net, again on a corner. At the end Finland were close to getting also an equalizer, but England managed to hold on to the lead. It was especially Finland´s corners that gave England´s defense problems.

The decisive factor in the game was England´s more aggresivity and power upfront against a Finnish defense that looked a bit slow. Also the midfield was in England´s grip.

Aluko was nominated Player of the match, not a bad choice but the two really outstanding players were Williams and Karen Carney in England.

Who England will meet in the semi final will be decided later this night when Netherlands and France play each other.

First quarter final in Women´s Euro

Soccer-stadium.net is in Turku for the first quarter final in Women´s Euro 2009 in Finland. The host nation is one of the participants in the game, England being the other.

It is told that Finland has never defeated England in football on senior level. Well, now they have a chance to change this in front of their home crowd.

An even game is expected and the circumstances are there for a good game. Finland again offers a nice weather with some sun and some 18 degrees.

A look at the quarter finals

The group stage is finsihed and eight teams are now remaining for the knockout stage in Women´s Euro 2009 in Finland.

Two qaurter finals will be played on thursday and two on friday. Let´s have a look at the match couples:

Thursday:

Finland-England

The host nation got off well with two wins, but lost their last insignificant game against Ukraine, while England lost to Italy, beat Russia and drew with Sweden. According to head coach Michael Käld Finland´s strongest part is their aggresiveness, something he missed in the game against Ukraine. The team´s defense look vulnerable, while there seems to be potential up front.

England´s defense was solid against Sweden, but five goals conceded in three games tells something else. Both teams play with a lone striker and one key to the game is which team will get better support to the striker. Another decisive issue will be who gets control on the midfield.

Finland might have an advantage in the home soil and the home crowd.

Netherlands-France

I haven´t seen Netherlands play in the tournament so it´s therefore hard to tell about their team, but wins in two of the three group stage games tells about a team with a winner´s instinct.

France showed something of what they are capable of against Norway. This is a team with some skilfull players. The defense seems to be the most questionable part of the team. They managed to beat Iceland thanks to two penalties, got demolished by Germany 1-5 and drew with Norway.

The impression is that this too will be a thight game between two teams who try to play football on the ground. France is the more experienced team, while the feeling is that Netherlands is the team more in form.

Friday:

Germany-Italy

With three wins in the group stage Germany seem like the clear favourite here. Two big wins, 4-0 against Norway and 5-1 against France, underlines this. The midfield seem to be the teams strongest part. Despite nine goals forward there are some question marks over the teams forward line. The defense it feels has not yet been seriously tested.

Italy is another team I haven´s seen, but wins against England and Russia shows that there is potential in the team. A loss against Sweden is not much to say about.

Anything else than a victory for Germany in this game would be a surprise, that is the simple reality.

Sweden-Norway

The fourth quarter final will see two neighbours up against each other. Sweden won their group with convincing victories against Russia and Italy and a draw, enough to secure first place in the group, against England. Especially the defense has made an impact in the Swedish team. The midfield and attacking line has yet to show their real skill.

Even in Norway the defense has been the strongest part so far. What the team lack in skilfulness with the ball they compensate with the spirit in their hearts. They held Germany to a one goal lead all the way to the very last minutes of the game, got on with a slight one goal win over Iceland and finished the group stage with a draw against France.

With the experience of the tournament so far Sweden has seemed much more capable than Norway, but the Norwegians fighting spirit might surprise the Swedes. And Norway won the friendly game between these teams just before the tournament. Nevertheless Sweden are the favourites.

On friday night we know which four teams will continue the tournament and which four teams will have to pack their bags. One thing is for sure and that is that there will be four close quarter finals and that the teams with most will to win are the teams which will go on to the semi finals.

Sweden win group C, Italy and England also through

There were three winners when the last group stage matches were played in group C in Women´s Euro 2009 in Finland tonight.

In Turku Sweden and England drew 1-1, which was enough to take both teams through to the quarter finals. Since Italy at the same defeated Russia in Helsinki they took second place in the group after Sweden and England ended up as one of the two best third placed teams. All three teams went into the quarter finals.

Sweden started best in Turku, but eventually England got into the game and took the lead just before the half hour mark. Ten minutes later Sweden equalized from the penalty spot.

In the second half there were not many chances created. England seemed to be the team that more wanted the win, but the Swedes were not really threatened.

All in all it was fair result that pleased both teams.

Sweden will face neighbours Norway in their quarter final, while England takes on host nation Finland. Italy as the runner-up in group C will be up against Germany.

Thanks to two late goals Italy tonight defeated Russia 2-0.

Advantage Sweden in group C

Sweden meet England and Italy Russia when the last games in the group stage are being played in Women´s Euro 2009 in Finland today.

All the teams in the group are still in with a chance to advance. Soccer-stadium.net is in Turku and will follow the game between Sweden and England. Sweden have an advantage as group leaders and a draw is enough for them to win the group.

A win for England would see them win the group, if Italy doesn´t win. If both England and Italy win there are three teams on the same point and the group standings are down to the results between these three teams. In this last case all three are in the quarter finals.

Well, let´s get back to that if it happens.

France and Norway share points, joins Germany

France and Norway shared the points in a 1-1 game at the Helsinki Football Stadium tonight. With that result both are through to the quarter finals along with Germany who had already won the group and today defeated Iceland 1-0.

The game in Helsinki got a flying start with open play and Norway scoring already after four minutes. After that there was a French blizzard, with France taking over the play completely. First they hit the bar with a long range effort and after 16 minutes the equalizer came.

This slowed down the tempo in the game, but still France held the grip of the game with Norway mostly playing long balls to the forwards.

In the second half there was not much of controlled play. The ball was mostly on the midfield with little chances being created. The last five minutes there were no play at all. All the Norwegians players were on their half of the field while the French, les bleus, kept the ball on the other half.

Both teams were happy with the result and a place in the quarter finals. France will meet Netherlands in one quarter final on thursday, while it´s not yet decided who Norway will meet. This depends on the results in tomorrow´s games in group C.

Germany will meet the runner-up in group C in their quarter final on friday.

Norway and France to meet for second place

Norway and France will today come together at Helsinki Football Stadium to play for second place in group B in Women´s Euro 2009 in Finland. Germany have already secured first place in the group.

France are second before the game with a better goal difference than Norway. A draw would take both teams through. That would mean Norway advances as one of the two best third placed teams.

The runner-up in the group will meet Netherlands in the quarter finals, while the best third placed team from this group or group A will meet the winner of group C. So probably both teams are after the second place to get maybe an "easier" opponent in the quarter finals.

At the same time Germany and Iceland meet in Lahti in a game without importance for the group standings.

It´s been a rainy night in Helsinki, but now the sun is shining although it is a bit windy. About 18 degreed.

Ukraine and Netherlands todays winners

Ukraine and Netherlands won todays matches in Women´s Euro 2009 in Finland. At the Olympic stadium in Helsinki host nation Finland took on Ukraine. Finland had already secured first place in the group and weren´t really up to it today. Ukraine who were without chances of advancing still wanted to make a good exit out of the tournament and suceeded in their effort.

Finland did create more chances, but Ukraine scored the only goal of the game after a mistake in the Finnish defense. The goal came half way through the second half.

The game in a cloudy Helsinki was watched by over 15 000 spectators.

Finland will play their quarter final on thursday in Turku against the best third placed team in group B or C.

Netherlands will make company with Finland in the quarter finals. They defeated Denmark 2-1 in todays second game. Netherlands took a 2-0 lead with two goals in the beginning of the second half, and although Denmark scored one back they couldn´t get closer.

In their quarter final Netherlands will meet the runner-up from group B, that is Norway or France.

Denmark are also still in with a chance to reach the quarter finals as one of the two best third placed teams.

Sweden and England tonight´s winners

Sweden and England were the winners when group C tonight played their second games in Women´s Euro 2009 in Finland.

Just like in the first game Sweden made the most of the beginning of the match against Italy. After 19 minutes Sweden were 2-0 up and that was also the final score.

This means that they are through to the quarter finals.

England and Russia had both lost their first games and needed points to stay in the tournament. Russia got a great start with a goal after two minutes and a second after 22 minutes. After that all the scoring was made by England. When the half time whistle blew they had scored three goals to take a 3-2 lead. The second half then didn´s see any goals.

The last round of games will decide who joins Sweden in the next stage. England are up against Sweden, while Italy and Russia meet in the other game.

Germany took second win, Norway first

Germany took their second four goal win in Women´s Euro 2009 in Finland today by defeating France 5-1. This means they are through to the quarter finals although one round of games are still to be played in the group stage. Germany took a 3-0 lead in the first half and netted on a penalty and in over time in the second half. France got their lone goal six minutes into the second half when they made it 1-4.

The second match of the day saw a Nordic meeting between Norway and Iceland. With a goal in the last minute of the first half Norway secured a 1-0 win. Norway are then still in with a chance of advancing, while Iceland are without chances of reaching the quarter finals.

The last games in group B are played on sunday when Germany and Iceland meet in one game and Norway and France in another.

Hosts through to quarter finals

Host nation Finland was the first team to qualify for the quarter finals in Women´s Euro 2009. Finland today defeated Netherlands 2-1. After 1-1 at half time a goal in the middle of the second half decided the match in Finlands favour.

In the other game in group A Denmark defeated Ukraine with the same numbers to keep their campaign alive. For Ukraine the quarter finals are out of reach after two games. All the goals came in the second half with Denmark scoring the winner with three minutes to go.

In the last games in the group Finland takes on Ukraine, while Denmark and Netherlands meet in the other game on saturday.

soccer-stadium.net takes a break

Soccer-stadium.net will not be at any game in the Women´s Euro 2009 today and the coming two days, but will be back on track on saturday.

Still the action will be followed here on the blog and on the website.

There are two games coming up today in group A. The losers in the first games Ukraine and Denmark are first out at the Helsinki football stadium followed by the winners of the first games Netherlands and Finland at the Olympic stadium in Helsinki.

Solid win for Sweden

With two goals in the first fifteen minutes Sweden killed off the game against Russia in an early stage when the two met in Turku in Women´s Euro 2009 in Finland.

Russia never came back from that opening and when the final whistle went Sweden had scored also a third goal.

The two early goals were of course of great importance for Sweden´s victory, but otherwise it was their stronger physical ability and better control of the ball that made them get the win. Especially Sweden´s defence looked very stable.

All in all it was a solid performance from one of the favourites in the tournament.

According to Russias coach Igor Shalimov they went out to try and catch Sweden with counter attacks, but this tactic failed immidately when they got the goals against them.

After the early swedish goals it was quite a slow game. Sweden controlled the play, while Russia tried to get forward but couldn´t get past Sweden´s defence.

In the other game in group C Italy defeated England 2-1. England took the lead on penalty in the first half, but also got a player sent off. In the second half then Italy could turn the game around.

Penalties took France to victory

Iceland took an early lead against France in the later game in group B in Women´s Euro 2009 last night.

Two penalties for France, one in each half, turned the game around and finally it ended 3-1 to France.

The tournament continues today with the first games in group C. Soccer-stadium.net will be in Turku watching Sweden against Russia.

Germany off to a winning start

It was no doubt which team had control on the game when Germany and Norway today started their campaign in the Women´s Euro 2009 in Finland.

Reigning champions Germany dominated the game in style in the first half, but were very ineffective up front. They needed a penalty after just over half an hour of play to get a goal and a 1-0 lead at half time.

The decisive factor in the game was Linda Bresonik´s and young Kim Kulig´s effort on the midfield. Germany´s offensive was too slow and made things too complicated and their defensive looked shaky the few times Norway got to test them.

Norway didn´t have much of the play in the first half, but were able to disturb the Germans a bit more in the second half.

With a couple of minutes to go of the game Norway had a great chance to equalize, but the German goalkeeper were in the right place. In the following attack Germany instead made it 2-0 and in stoppage time they managed to score two more to make it 4-0 at the final whistle.

19-year old Kulig was voted player of the game.

In Tampere

Soccer-stadium.net is now in Tampere in Finland awaiting the opening game in group B in the Women´s Euro 2009 between Germany and Norway.

The conditions are football friendly with the sun shining and a temeperature of about 20 degrees.

Wins for Netherlands and Finland in Women´s Euro

The Women´s Euro 2009 tournament kicked-off in Finland today. In the first game Netherlands got off to a flying start by scoring two goals in the first ten minutes against Ukraine. After that there were no more goals and the game ended 2-0.

In front of some 16 000 spectators the hosts defeated fellow Nordic country Denmark 1-0 with an early second half goal.

Tomorrow soccer-stadium.net will be in Tampere following the game between reigning champions Germany and Norway live. You will be able to read more about that game here tomorrow.

Soccer-stadium.net at Women´s Euro 2009

Women´s Euro 2009 starts in Finland tomorrow sunday. Soccer-stadium.net will be there covering the tournament.

We will not be at the opening games tomorrow but starting on monday with the game in Tampere between Germany and Norway and continuing with Sweden vs Russia in Turku on tuesday and then on it goes.

The opening day will see the host nation taking on Denmark in one game and Ukraine and Netherlands meeting in the other game.

England´s young women took European title

With two goals in four minutes at the latter part of the first half against Sweden England today took the title in the UEFA Women´s U-19 Championship in Belarus. The game ended 2-0 to England.

England went through the tournament with a goal difference of 12-0 and their only small misstep was a goalless draw against Norway in the group stage.

The final was the second meeting between the two in the tournament. In the group stage first game England won 3-0.

Two years ago England lost the final to Germany after extra time, but now they then went all the way to the title. Sweden won the tournament 10 years ago, but didn´t manage to repeat that story.

Switzerland and Serbia today´s winners

Switzerland and Serbia took a 2-1 win each against Slovenia and Spain respectively to go top in their groups in the UEFA U-19 Championship in Ukraine.

In group A Switzerland came back from 0-1 to win 2-1 with two late goals against Slovenia. This means the Swiss team went top of the group before England which drew 2-2 with the host nation.

Spain was the only team to gain a win in the first round of games. Now they also got a loss, when Serbia won 2-1 despite Spain taking the lead in the game. Turkey took the lead against France in the second half, but the French side came back an equalized at the end of the game.

With one round of games remaining in the group stage all the teams are still in with a chance of progressing.

The last group stage games will be played on monday.

Replay of final in Gold Cup

The final of the CONCACAF Gold Cup in USA will see the same two teams up against each other as in the final two years ago. USA and Mexico last night booked their places in the final.

A goal at the end of each half made it a 2-0 win for the hosts against Honduras in the first semi final. The other semi final between Costa Rica and Mexico went all the way to a penalty shoot out which the Mexicans eventually won. Mexico took the lead with two minutes to go of regular time, but Costa Rica came back and equalized before the final whistle.

The final will be played on sunday at Giants stadium in New York.

UEFA CL second qualifying round finished

The second legs of the second qualifying round in UEFA Champions League has been played yesterday and tonight.

Seventeen teams qualified for the next round where there will be 15 match couples. The qualification will end up with 32 teams playing a group stage.

The third qualifying round will take place on 28/29 july and 4/5 august.

Sweden and England to meet in final

Sweden and England were the winners in todays semi finals in the UEFA Women´s U-19 Championship in Belarus.

The semi final between Sweden and France was the more dramatic one. For the third game in a row Sweden came from behind to snatch a win. France were leading 2-1 with five minutes to play when the swedesses equalized. In the extra time that followed Sweden scored three times to win 5-2.

England went to a 2-0 lead in the first half against Switzerland and scored one more in the second half to get a 3-0 win. Switzerland which started the tournament on a high then had to settle for a semi final spot.

The final between Sweden and England will take place on saturday.

Spain the only winner in UEFA U-19 Championship

Spain was the only team that managed a win when the UEFA U-19 Championship started in Ukraine today. After being 0-1 down at half time to Turkey Spain scored two goals early in the second half to get a 2-1 win.

All the three other games ended in stalemates. In group A Switzerland equalized at stoppage time against England to get a 1-1 draw. Host nation Ukraine played a goalless draw against Slovenia.

In the other game in group B France and Serbia scored a goal each.

The tournament continues on friday.

UEFA U-19 Championship to be played in Ukraine

Tomorrow tuesday it´s time for the male UEFA U-19 Championship to get going in Ukraine. Eight teams have qualified for the tournament.

In group A Ukraine, Slovenia, England and Switzerland will fight it out for two places in the semi finals, while the same goes for France, Serbia, Turkey and Spain in group B.

The opening day will see four matches:

England-Swizerland
Ukraine-Slovenia
France-Serbia
Turkey-Spain

Costa Rica and Mexico joins Honduras and USA in the semis

Costa Rica and Mexico have secured their places in the semi finals in the CONCACAF Gold Cup in USA. They join Honduras and USA which both a day earlier made their qualifications into the next stage of the tournament.

Both Costa Rica and Mexico got four goals wins in their quarter finals. Costa Rica defeated Guadeloupe 5-1, while Mexico saw off Haiti 4-0. The two winners will meet in the second semi final on thursday.

Africa CL group stage started

The group stage with the eight remaining teams in the Africa Champions League has started this weekend.

Saturday saw two draws in group A. Zesco United (ZAM) and Kano Pillars (NIG) scored one goal each, while the two sudanese teams Al Merreikh and Al Hilal didn´t score any goals at all.

Today group B went going with two home wins. In Zimbabwe Monomotapa took a 2-1 win against Tunisian ESS Sahel and in the other game TP Mazembe from Democratic Republic of Congo won 2-0 against Nigerian Heartland FC.

The tournament continues in two weeks time.

France, Switzerland, England and Sweden to the semi finals

France, Switzerland, England and Sweden are the four semi finalists in the UEFA Women´s U-19 Championship in Belarus. This was decided in the last group stage games today.

Group A got a delicate finish with France, Switzerland and Germany all on six points. France today defeated Switzerland 2-0, while Germany outscored the host nation 9-0. Despite the big win Germany are out of the tournament since it is the result between the teams that stands on the same points that decides the ranking of the teams. Germany lost to Switzerland 0-3 and won 2-1 against France. This means that France win the group thanks to todays win over Switzerland. Both teams have a goaldifference of 3-2 in the meeting between these three teams.

In group B everything was much clearer. England took the top position by winning 4-0 against Iceland. Sweden for the second game in a row came from 0-1 behind to claim a 2-1 win, this time against Norway. This placed the girls from Sweden in second place.

This should make up two semi finals of France-Sweden and England-Switzerland on wednesday.

Honduras and USA booked places in the semi finals

Honduras and USA booked their places in the semi finals in the CONCACAF Gold Cup in USA when the first two quarter finals were played last night.

Both games were decided by goals from the penalty spot. Honduras defeated Canada 1-0 with the goal being scored on a penalty from Walter Martinez after 35 minutes. The game between USA and Panama was 1-1 at full time and 13 minutes into extra time Kenny Cooper scored the decisive goal on a penalty.

These results put Honduras and USA up against each other in one of the semi finals.

The other two quarter finals Guadeloupe-Costa Rica and Mexico-Haiti are to be played later today.

Luis Angel Firpo replaces Chalatenango in CL

CD Luis Angel Firpo will replace Chalatenango in the CONCACAF Champions League 2009-10. Both teams are from El Salvador. Chalatenango failed to fill the requirements for participating in the tournament and the place then went to Luis Angel Firpo, who accepted it.

Luis Angel Firpo will in the preliminary round meet DC United from USA. The first game is to be played at the end of this month.

Eight teams are remaining in the Africa Champions League which goes into the group stage tomorrow.

The eight teams are divided into two groups from which the two best in each group qualifies for the semi finals.

Group A will kick-off tomorrow, while group B get into action on sunday.

In group A plays Al Merreikh (SUD), Al Hilal (SUD), Zesco United (ZAM) and Kano Pillars (NIG).
Group B contains TP Mazembe (DRC), Heartland FC (NIG), Monomotapa (ZIM) and ES Sahel (TUN).

More information about the teams is to be found here.

Gold Cup quarter finals starts tomorrow

The CONCACAF Gold Cup in USA has reached it´s quarter finals stage. Two games will be played tomorrow saturday and two on sunday.

Canada takes on Honduras, while hosts USA are up against Panama on saturday.

Switzerland beat Germany, impresses in UEFA Women´s U-19

Switzerland has got off to a great start in UEFA Women´s U-19 Championship in Belarus. Today they took their second three goals win when they defeated Germany 3-0. The host nation got beaten with the same numbers by France. Switzerland and France are in the semi finals spots in group A at the moment, but there is still one round of games to be played.

In group B Sweden were 0-1 down to Iceland, but two late goals gave the Swedish girls a 2-1 win. Norway played their second goalless game, when they met England. England leads the group before Sweden.

The last group stage games will be played on sunday.

Estudiantes South American club champions

Estudiantes from Argentina last night won the away game against Cruzeiro in Brazil 2-1 in Copa Libertadores to take the title as South American club champions 2009. The first game in Argentina ended goalless.

Cruzeiro took a home lead in the second half of the game, but Estudiantes came back and turned the game around.

This was Estudiantes fifth title in Copa Libertadores.

News at every page

Now you can get football news from all around the world at all pages on soccer-stadium.net. There are though some exceptions. The CONCACAF rss feed doesn´t seem to work at this moment, while Afc, the Asian confederation, obviously have taken away their rss feed when they updated their website.

Conmebol in South America does not provide a rss feed.

All the others should be okay.

Great start for Switzerland and England

Switzerland scored four goals past the host nations goalkeeper in the first half when UEFA Women´s U-19 Championship started in Belarus today. The home team got one goal back in the second half but still lost 1-4. In the other game in group A Germany came from a goal down to beat France 2-1.

Also England got a three goal win by defeating Sweden 3-0 in group B. The Nordic meeting between Iceland and Norway ended goalless.

The tournament continues with the next round of games on thursday.

UEFA Women´s U-19 Championship starts today

Belarus is host for the UEFA Women´s U-19 Championship that kicks-off today. The eight participating teams are divided into two groups.

Group A contains Belarus, Switzerland, France and Germany, while group B is made up of Sweden, England, Iceland and Norway.

Both groups go into action today with France-Germany and Belarus-Switzerland the matchcouples in group A and Sweden-England and Iceland-Norway the matchcouples in group B.

All quarter finalists decided in Gold Cup

Mexico, Guadeloupe and Panama took the last three places in the quarter finals in the CONCACAF Gold Cup in USA when group C played their last matches.

Mexico defeated Guadeloupe 2-0 to move to the top of the group. Guadeloupe were runner-ups before Panama who defeated Nicaragua 4-0.

Panama and Haiti went through as the two best third placed teams and Jamaica had to go home. The quarter finals will be played on 18 and 19 july with the following line-up.

Canada-Honduras
USA-Panama
Guadeloupe-Costa Rica
Mexico-Haiti

Haiti took a point from USA, Honduras win - all three through

USA, Honduras and Haiti all booked a place in the quarter finals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup in USA last night. Haiti got a 2-2 draw with USA, which gave them a third place in the group after the host nation and Honduras. The latter defeated Grenada 4-0.

Goaldifference (games):

USA +6 (3)
Honduras +3 (3)
Guadeloupe +3 (2)

Goals forward/game (games):

USA 2,67 (3)
Guadeloupe 2,00 (2)
Honduras 1,67 (2)

Goals against/game (games):

Mexico 0,50 (2)
Guadeloupe 0,50 (2)
Canada 0,67 (3)
Jamaica 0,67 (3)
USA 0,67 (3)
Honduras 0,67 (3)

Costa Rica and Canada draw, Jamaica wins

Costa Rica and Canada played 2-2 last night in CONCACAF Gold Cup in USA. In the other game Jamaica defeated El Salvador 1-0. These results means Canada and Costa Rica are through to the quarter finals. Jamaica went ahead of El Salvador and took third place in group A. If this is enough to take them to the quarter finals as one of the two best third placed teams depends on the outcome of the other groups.

Goaldifference (games):

USA +6 (2)
Guadeloupe +3 (2)
Canada +2 (3)
Mexico +2 (2)

Goals forward/game (games):

USA 3,00 (2)
Guadeloupe 2,00 (2)
Mexico 1,50 (2)

Goals against/game (games):

USA 0,00 (2)
Mexico 0,50 (2)
Haiti 0,50 (2)
Guadaloupe 0,50 (2)

Guadeloupe to quarter finals

Guadeloupe last night defeated Nicaragua 2-0 in the CONCACAF Gold Cup to secure a place in the quarter finals of the tournament. Also Canada and USA are through to the next stage. Mexico and Panama played 1-1 in the other game in group C.

Goaldifference (games):

USA +6 (2)
Guadeloupe +3 (2)
Canada +2 (2)
Mexico +2 (2)

Goals forward/game (games):

USA 3,00 (2)
Guadeloupe 2,00 (2)
Mexico 1,50 (2)

Goals against/game (games):

Canada 0,00 (2)
USA 0,00 (2)
Mexico 0,50 (2)
Haiti 0,50 (2)
Guadeloupe 0,50 (2)

Copa Libertadores first leg final without goals

Estudiantes from Argentina and Cruzeiro from Brazil last night met in La Plata in Argentina in the first leg of the Copa Libertadores final, the club championship of South America.

This first final saw a goalless draw. The second leg will be played in Belo Horizonte in Brazil next wednesday.

Canada and USA with full points

Canada and USA stands on full points in the CONCACAF Gold Cup in USA when two rounds of games have been played in groups A and B. Tonight group C will complete their second round.

Last night saw Haiti and USA both take 2-0 wins against Grenada and Honduras respectively. One day earlier Canada defeated El Salvador 1-0 and Costa Rica won with the same numbers against Jamaica.

Goaldifference (games):

USA +6 (2)
Canada +2 (2)
Mexico +2 (1)

Goals forward/game (games):

USA 3,00 (2)
Guadeloupe 2,00 (1)
Mexico 2,00 (1)

Goals against/game (games):

Canada 0,00 (2)
USA 0,00 (2)
Mexico 0,00 (1)

Guadeloupe and Mexico scores two each

Last night saw Guadeloupe and Mexico winning 2-1 and 2-0 against Panama and Nicaragua respectively in group C in the CONCACAF Gold Cup in USA. This means all teams have now played their opening games.

Goaldifference

USA +4
Mexico +2
El Salvador +1
Guadeloupe +1

Goals forward/game

USA 4
El Salvador 2
Guadeloupe 2
Mexico 2

Goals against/game

Canada 0
Honduras 0
USA 0
Mexico 0

Video highlights from Gold Cup

There is now a link to the right of the blog where you can see video highlights from the ongoing Gold Cup in USA.

USA scored four against Grenada

USA defeated Grenada 4-0 in their opening game in the CONCACAF Gold Cup in USA. Honduras got a 1-0 win over Haiti.

This means USA leads the goalscoring in the tournament after two groups have finished their first round of games.

Offensive (goals forward/game):

USA 4
El Salvador 2
Canada 1
Honduras 1
Costa Rica 1

Defensive (goals against/game):

Canada 0
Honduras 0
USA 0

CONCACAF Gold Cup starts in USA

The championship for North, Central America and the Caribbean, the CONCACAF Gold Cup, starts in USA tomorrow friday. Twelve teams have qualified for this biennal tournament and they are divide into three groups with four teams in each. The two best teams from each group and two best third placed teams advances to the quarter finals.

Host nation USA plays in group B with Honduras, Haiti and Grenada. Group A consists of Canada, Jamaica, Costa Rica and El Salvador. Finally in group C Panama, Guadeloupe, Nicaragua and Mexico are the participants.

The opening day will see two games in group A:

Canada-Jamaica
Costa Rica-El Salvador

The games will be played in 13 different cities, Boston, Chicago, Columbus, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Oakland, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Seattle and Washington DC.

USA have won the last two editions of the tournament.

More spirit than expected

I´m glad to admit I had misjudged the team spirit of the USA and South African teams in todays games in the Confederations Cup in South Africa.

Both of them had the spirit to almost cause surprises. At the end though the favourites Brazil and Spain got away with the gold and bronze medals respectively. Their wills and skills were a bit too much to the underdogs.

What USA and South Africa did show however is that nothing is to be taken for granted when it comes to football. It is always full focus on the task that gives result. Also for the so called "better" teams.

Time for the Confederations Cup final

Tonight USA and Brazil will meet for the title in the Confederations Cup in South Africa. The conditions before the game are that Brazil, of course, are the favourites.

Can USA make another surprise, like against Spain in the semi finals? It was good tactics combined with a sacrificed effort that made them overcome the Spaniards. And also a lack of real inspiration from Spain, who took too easily on the game.

Usually a team doesn´t do two such games, as USA did against Spain, in a row.

Brazil´s play is also not as easily read as Spain´s or Italy´s. They have a more flexible play than their European opponents. Brazil has furthermore shown strength at the end of the games, by scoring decisive goals in the last minutes against both Egypt and South Africa.

The surprise factor is also smaller for USA now after their win against Spain. Most of the conditions talks in favor of Brazil, and the South Americans will most probably be the team that lifts the cup after the game.

Also the bronze match will most likely see a favourite win. Spain want a quick return to the winning streak and won´t lose two straight games. The South Africans are presumably quite pleased with their effort in the tournament. They have done what was expected from them. So Spain most likely have the bigger will to win the game, and will therefore take the bronze medals.

England and Germany in U-21 final

England and Germany won the semi finals of the UEFA U-21 Championship in Sweden tonight. In a dramatic game in Gothenburg England had a 3-0 lead against the hosts, who came back and equalized to 3-3 in the second half. After a penalty shoot-out England went away with the victory.

An early second half goal gave Germany a 1-0 win over Italy in the second semi final in Helsingborg.

Brazil joins USA in the final

Brazil last night secured their place in the final of the Confederations Cup in South Africa. A late goal gave the South Americans a 1-0 win over the host nation.

In sundays final Brazil will meet USA. The same day Spain and South Africa meet for the third place in the tournament.

USA first finalist in Confederations Cup

USA booked their place in the final of the Confederations Cup in South Africa by beating Spain 2-0 tonight.

Tomorrow Brazil and South Africa meet in the other semi final.

Reigning champions out of Asia CL

Reigning champions Gamba Osaka from Japan today went out of the Asia Champions League 2009 after a 2-3 loss to another Japanese team Kawasaki Frontale.

Three more teams qualified for the quarter finals, Nagoya Grampus from Japan and FC Seoul and Pohang Steelers, both from South Korea.

Asia Champions League

Forgot about this. There are also four games in the Asia Champions League round of 16 being played today.

CONCACAF CL match schedule ready

The match schedule for the preliminary round of next seasons (2009-10) CONCACAF Champions League is now ready.

Semi finals in Confederation Cup and Copa Libertadores

This day will see the first semi final games in both the Confederations Cup in South Africa and in the Copa Libertadores in South America.

In South Africa Spain will take on USA in the first semi final and in the Copa Libertadores there will be an all Brazilian clash between Cruzeiro and Gremio in the first leg of the semi finals.