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.