Sunday, June 30, 2013
UEFA Women's EURO 2013: Denmark and Spain draw in final friendly
Published: Friday 28 June 2013, 20.47CET
Denmark 2-2 SpainVerónica Boquete scored either side of goals by Mariann Knudsen and Johanna Rasmussen to rescue a point for the visitors.
Headlines
Published: Friday 28 June 2013, 20.47CET
Denmark and Spain draw in final friendly
Denmark 2-2 SpainVerónica Boquete scored either side of goals by Mariann Knudsen and Johanna Rasmussen to rescue a point for the visitors.
Verónica Boquete scored twice as Spain and Denmark drew 2-2 in the Vejle Stadion in their last warm-up match before UEFA Women's EURO 2013 next month in Sweden.
Spain were dominant for the majority of the first half, taking a 1-0 lead into the interval, but their hosts had the upper hand after the break and came back to lead through Mariann Knudsen and Johanna Rasmussen before Boquete had the final say.
Spain put the hosts under heavy pressure during the opening exchanges but had to wait until the 24th minute for Boquete to strike. Sanne Troelsgaard and Rasmussen replaced Julie Rydahl Bukh and Sofie Pedersen for Denmark at the interval and they proceeded to claim a far better grip on the game.
It did not take long for Knudsen to find the corner from the edge of the area and the turnaround was complete 13 minutes into the second half when Rasmussen scored from the penalty spot. The lead only lasted nine minutes, though, as Boquete left Stina Petersen in the Denmark goal helpless with a marvellous finish.
"Spain have a fantastic team who played around us all the time," said Denmark coach Kenneth Heiner-Møller. "We had a tendency to rush things in our attacks. We should have had the courage to play with more patience. I think we had a fine half hour in the second half and a good quarter of an hour in the first, so I am content."
Denmark meet hosts Sweden in Group A at UEFA Women's EURO before taking on Italy and Finland while Spain will face England, France and Russia in Group C.
Spain were dominant for the majority of the first half, taking a 1-0 lead into the interval, but their hosts had the upper hand after the break and came back to lead through Mariann Knudsen and Johanna Rasmussen before Boquete had the final say.
Spain put the hosts under heavy pressure during the opening exchanges but had to wait until the 24th minute for Boquete to strike. Sanne Troelsgaard and Rasmussen replaced Julie Rydahl Bukh and Sofie Pedersen for Denmark at the interval and they proceeded to claim a far better grip on the game.
It did not take long for Knudsen to find the corner from the edge of the area and the turnaround was complete 13 minutes into the second half when Rasmussen scored from the penalty spot. The lead only lasted nine minutes, though, as Boquete left Stina Petersen in the Denmark goal helpless with a marvellous finish.
"Spain have a fantastic team who played around us all the time," said Denmark coach Kenneth Heiner-Møller. "We had a tendency to rush things in our attacks. We should have had the courage to play with more patience. I think we had a fine half hour in the second half and a good quarter of an hour in the first, so I am content."
Denmark meet hosts Sweden in Group A at UEFA Women's EURO before taking on Italy and Finland while Spain will face England, France and Russia in Group C.
UEFA Women's EURO 2013 : Jeglertz turns to youth for Finland, has included three uncapped players and a further trio of teenagers in a young squad
Published: Friday 28 June 2013, 17.44CET
Finland coach Andrée Jeglertz has included three uncapped players and a further trio of teenagers in a young squad for UEFA Women's EURO 2013 next month in Sweden.
Headlines
Published: Friday 28 June 2013, 17.44CET
Jeglertz turns to youth for Finland
Finland coach Andrée Jeglertz has included three uncapped players and a further trio of teenagers in a young squad for UEFA Women's EURO 2013 next month in Sweden.
Finland coach Andrée Jeglertz has included three uncapped players in a young squad for UEFA Women's EURO 2013 next month in Sweden.
Jeglertz's options have been reduced in recent months by injuries to key striker Linda Sällström and captain Maija Saari. Though there are other experienced choices like Katri Nokso-Koivisto, who may fill a defensive role in Saari's absence, and forward Sanna Talonen, also in the squad are a trio of players yet to make a senior international appearance: goalkeeper Siiri Välimaa, defender Nea-Stina Liljedahl and midfielder Henni Malinen.
There are also three teenagers in the shape of midfielder Nora Heroum, forward Ella Vanhanen and 17-year-old Natalia Kuikka. Finland, semi-finalists in 2005 and quarter-finalists four years later on home soil, begin Group A against Italy in Halmstad on 10 July before travelling to Gothenburg to face Sweden and Denmark.
Finland squad
Goalkeepers: Minna Meriluoto (Jitex BK), Siiri Välimaa (NiceFutis), Tinja-Riikka Korpela (Lillestrøm SK).
Defenders: Nea-Stina Liljedahl (FC Honka Espoo), Tuija Hyyrynen (Umeå IK), Susanna Lehtinen (KIF Örebro DFF), Laura Kivistö (PK-35 Vantaa), Katri Nokso-Koivisto (Lillestrøm SK), Anna Westerlund (Piteå IF), Pirjo Leppikangas (PK-35 Vantaa).
Midfielders: Tiina Saario (Åland United), Annika Kukkonen (Sunnanå SK), Emmi Alanen (Kokkola Futis 10), Nora Heroum (FC Honka Espoo), Heidi Kivelä (PK-35 Vantaa), Natalia Kuikka (Merilappi United), Henni Malinen (FC Honka Espoo).
Forwards: Marianna Tolvanen (FC Honka Espoo), Sanna Talonen (KIF Örebro DFF), Leena Puranen (Jitex BK), Jaana Lyytikäinen (Åland United), Annica Sjölund (Jitex BK), Ella Vanhanen (Pallokissat).
Jeglertz's options have been reduced in recent months by injuries to key striker Linda Sällström and captain Maija Saari. Though there are other experienced choices like Katri Nokso-Koivisto, who may fill a defensive role in Saari's absence, and forward Sanna Talonen, also in the squad are a trio of players yet to make a senior international appearance: goalkeeper Siiri Välimaa, defender Nea-Stina Liljedahl and midfielder Henni Malinen.
There are also three teenagers in the shape of midfielder Nora Heroum, forward Ella Vanhanen and 17-year-old Natalia Kuikka. Finland, semi-finalists in 2005 and quarter-finalists four years later on home soil, begin Group A against Italy in Halmstad on 10 July before travelling to Gothenburg to face Sweden and Denmark.
Finland squad
Goalkeepers: Minna Meriluoto (Jitex BK), Siiri Välimaa (NiceFutis), Tinja-Riikka Korpela (Lillestrøm SK).
Defenders: Nea-Stina Liljedahl (FC Honka Espoo), Tuija Hyyrynen (Umeå IK), Susanna Lehtinen (KIF Örebro DFF), Laura Kivistö (PK-35 Vantaa), Katri Nokso-Koivisto (Lillestrøm SK), Anna Westerlund (Piteå IF), Pirjo Leppikangas (PK-35 Vantaa).
Midfielders: Tiina Saario (Åland United), Annika Kukkonen (Sunnanå SK), Emmi Alanen (Kokkola Futis 10), Nora Heroum (FC Honka Espoo), Heidi Kivelä (PK-35 Vantaa), Natalia Kuikka (Merilappi United), Henni Malinen (FC Honka Espoo).
Forwards: Marianna Tolvanen (FC Honka Espoo), Sanna Talonen (KIF Örebro DFF), Leena Puranen (Jitex BK), Jaana Lyytikäinen (Åland United), Annica Sjölund (Jitex BK), Ella Vanhanen (Pallokissat).
Trio miss cut in Dutch squad
Sunday 30 June 2013 18.54CET
UEFA Women's EURO 2013: Trip miss cut in Netherlands squad, coach Reijners cut Merel van Dongen, Kika van Es and Maayke Heuver from his provisional list.
Published: Sunday 30 June 2013, 18.54CET
Roger Reijners has settled on his final Netherlands squad for UEFA Women's EURO 2013, cutting Merel van Dongen, Kika van Es and Maayke Heuver from his provisional list.
Headlines
Published: Sunday 30 June 2013, 18.54CET
Trip miss cut in Netherlands squad
Roger Reijners has settled on his final Netherlands squad for UEFA Women's EURO 2013, cutting Merel van Dongen, Kika van Es and Maayke Heuver from his provisional list.
Netherlands coach Roger Reijners has released his final squad for UEFA Women's EURO 2013, cutting Merel van Dongen, Kika van Es and Maayke Heuver from his provisional selection.
The Finland 2009 semi-finalists continued their preparations with a 3-1 friendly victory against Australia on Saturday, but there was bad news for Van Dongen, Van Es and Heuver 24 hours later as Reijners named his 23 players for Sweden 2013. The 49-year-old had originally selected a 31-player long list, with Marije Brummel, Ellen Jansen, Tessel Middag and Kelly Zeeman victims of an earlier cut and goalkeeper Laura Du Ry pulling out with a shoulder injury.
Reijners is now focused on getting the most out of his squad, and he believes that the Oranje still have room for improvement. "We are on the right track, but we still have to improve a lot if we want to make a step closer to the top of the European game," he said. "We have to improve in all aspects, and we're able to do that. In the Netherlands, there are huge developments happening in women's football, but that's true at international level as well and it keeps continuing."
The Netherlands open their campaign against holders Germany on 11 July, before facing fellow Group B rivals Norway and Iceland. "We are in a very tough Group with Germany, Norway and Iceland," added Reijners. "All three matches are of huge importance when you look at the criteria for reaching the quarter-finals."
Netherlands squad
Goalkeepers: Angela Christ (PSV/FC Eindhoven), Loes Geurts (Vittsjö GIK), Sari van Veenendaal (FC Twente).
Defenders: Mandy van den Berg (Vittsjö GIK), Dyanne Bito (sc Telstar), Claudia van den Heiligenberg (sc Telstar), Daphne Koster (AFC Ajax), Mirte Roelvink (FSV Gütersloh 2009), Leonne Stentler (AFC Ajax), Siri Worm (FC Twente).
Midfielders: Anouk Dekker (FC Twente), Daniëlle van de Donk (PSV/FC Eindhoven), Anouk Hoogendijk (AFC Ajax), Desiree van Lunteren (AFC Ajax), Renée Slegers (Linköpings FC), Sherida Spitse (FC Twente), Kirsten van de Ven (Tyresö FF).
Forwards: Lieke Martens (FCR 2001 Duisburg), Manon Melis (FC Malmö), Marlous Pieëte (FC Twente), Chantal de Ridder (AFC Ajax), Sylvia Smit (PEC Zwolle), Mandy Versteegt (AFC Ajax).
The Finland 2009 semi-finalists continued their preparations with a 3-1 friendly victory against Australia on Saturday, but there was bad news for Van Dongen, Van Es and Heuver 24 hours later as Reijners named his 23 players for Sweden 2013. The 49-year-old had originally selected a 31-player long list, with Marije Brummel, Ellen Jansen, Tessel Middag and Kelly Zeeman victims of an earlier cut and goalkeeper Laura Du Ry pulling out with a shoulder injury.
Reijners is now focused on getting the most out of his squad, and he believes that the Oranje still have room for improvement. "We are on the right track, but we still have to improve a lot if we want to make a step closer to the top of the European game," he said. "We have to improve in all aspects, and we're able to do that. In the Netherlands, there are huge developments happening in women's football, but that's true at international level as well and it keeps continuing."
The Netherlands open their campaign against holders Germany on 11 July, before facing fellow Group B rivals Norway and Iceland. "We are in a very tough Group with Germany, Norway and Iceland," added Reijners. "All three matches are of huge importance when you look at the criteria for reaching the quarter-finals."
Netherlands squad
Goalkeepers: Angela Christ (PSV/FC Eindhoven), Loes Geurts (Vittsjö GIK), Sari van Veenendaal (FC Twente).
Defenders: Mandy van den Berg (Vittsjö GIK), Dyanne Bito (sc Telstar), Claudia van den Heiligenberg (sc Telstar), Daphne Koster (AFC Ajax), Mirte Roelvink (FSV Gütersloh 2009), Leonne Stentler (AFC Ajax), Siri Worm (FC Twente).
Midfielders: Anouk Dekker (FC Twente), Daniëlle van de Donk (PSV/FC Eindhoven), Anouk Hoogendijk (AFC Ajax), Desiree van Lunteren (AFC Ajax), Renée Slegers (Linköpings FC), Sherida Spitse (FC Twente), Kirsten van de Ven (Tyresö FF).
Forwards: Lieke Martens (FCR 2001 Duisburg), Manon Melis (FC Malmö), Marlous Pieëte (FC Twente), Chantal de Ridder (AFC Ajax), Sylvia Smit (PEC Zwolle), Mandy Versteegt (AFC Ajax).
UEFA Women's EURO 2013: Gunnarsdóttir's glee at Iceland status
Published: Sunday 30 June 2013, 11.46CET
"It's cool to hear people say: 'How can you be in this big tournament with only 300,000 people?'" Iceland's Sara Björk Gunnarsdóttir told UEFA.com as her side gear up for Sweden 2013.
Headlines
Published: Sunday 30 June 2013, 11.46CET
Gunnarsdóttir's glee at Iceland status
"It's cool to hear people say: 'How can you be in this big tournament with only 300,000 people?'" Iceland's Sara Björk Gunnarsdóttir told UEFA.com as her side gear up for Sweden 2013.
Only five of UEFA's 54 member associations have smaller populations than Iceland, but for the second UEFA European Women's Championship in a row, the Nordic nation can count themselves among the continental elite.
Iceland lost all three matches at UEFA Women's EURO 2009 – the first senior tournament the country had qualified for – yet they will be back for more in Sweden and commence their campaign against Norway on 11 July, before playing Germany and the Netherlands.
Midfielder Sara Björk Gunnarsdóttir was part of the 2009 squad at the age of 18 and now, with more than 50 caps, will be a crucial member of the Iceland side again. The FC Malmö player spoke to UEFA.com about what her team's participation means to the country.
UEFA.com: What does it mean for a small country like Iceland to play in a final tournament?
Sara Björk Gunnarsdóttir: It means a lot. It's actually cool to hear people say: "How can you be in this big tournament with only 300,000 people?" And you just get proud – it means everything to us. I mean, it's our dream to do this; it's really big.
UEFA.com: Is your team spirit key to that?
Gunnarsdóttir: Yes of course, it has always been our strength to have this extreme attitude and a good team spirit – that's our thing. As long as we have that, I think we have something that other teams don't.
UEFA.com: You face a pretty tough group, given that it includes holders Germany.
Gunnarsdóttir: Of course Germany are one of the strongest teams, and it is going to be a hard one, but I think if we are really organised and defend well against them, we will have a chance.
UEFA.com: How do you rate the other teams in your group, Norway and the Netherlands?
Gunnarsdóttir: We have beaten Norway before. Of course they are a really good team as well, but – it's always been like this in our team – it doesn't matter what team it is, we always go out there and fight, and try to get good results and put everything in. We don't really think about the other team a lot. We have shown we can beat Norway before. And Holland, we haven't played a lot against them, but they have really good players. I think we have a chance, though.
UEFA.com: What are your memories of four years ago in Finland?
Gunnarsdóttir: We didn't get good results in the games, but to go into our first tournament was amazing. The squad is really excited to play this next tournament, because we want to show we can do better than at the last EURO, and show we can go a little bit further.
UEFA.com: Was it a surprise to people in Iceland that you even qualified in 2009?
Gunnarsdóttir: We were really proud of that, and the people in Iceland were really supportive. Women's soccer got a lot bigger after that. But the results were not good for us and we were not pleased. Maybe we were just so pleased to be in the tournament that we didn't get such good results. But now our goal is to come first or second in the group. So we are going to do better in this tournament.
Iceland lost all three matches at UEFA Women's EURO 2009 – the first senior tournament the country had qualified for – yet they will be back for more in Sweden and commence their campaign against Norway on 11 July, before playing Germany and the Netherlands.
Midfielder Sara Björk Gunnarsdóttir was part of the 2009 squad at the age of 18 and now, with more than 50 caps, will be a crucial member of the Iceland side again. The FC Malmö player spoke to UEFA.com about what her team's participation means to the country.
UEFA.com: What does it mean for a small country like Iceland to play in a final tournament?
Sara Björk Gunnarsdóttir: It means a lot. It's actually cool to hear people say: "How can you be in this big tournament with only 300,000 people?" And you just get proud – it means everything to us. I mean, it's our dream to do this; it's really big.
UEFA.com: Is your team spirit key to that?
Gunnarsdóttir: Yes of course, it has always been our strength to have this extreme attitude and a good team spirit – that's our thing. As long as we have that, I think we have something that other teams don't.
UEFA.com: You face a pretty tough group, given that it includes holders Germany.
Gunnarsdóttir: Of course Germany are one of the strongest teams, and it is going to be a hard one, but I think if we are really organised and defend well against them, we will have a chance.
UEFA.com: How do you rate the other teams in your group, Norway and the Netherlands?
Gunnarsdóttir: We have beaten Norway before. Of course they are a really good team as well, but – it's always been like this in our team – it doesn't matter what team it is, we always go out there and fight, and try to get good results and put everything in. We don't really think about the other team a lot. We have shown we can beat Norway before. And Holland, we haven't played a lot against them, but they have really good players. I think we have a chance, though.
UEFA.com: What are your memories of four years ago in Finland?
Gunnarsdóttir: We didn't get good results in the games, but to go into our first tournament was amazing. The squad is really excited to play this next tournament, because we want to show we can do better than at the last EURO, and show we can go a little bit further.
UEFA.com: Was it a surprise to people in Iceland that you even qualified in 2009?
Gunnarsdóttir: We were really proud of that, and the people in Iceland were really supportive. Women's soccer got a lot bigger after that. But the results were not good for us and we were not pleased. Maybe we were just so pleased to be in the tournament that we didn't get such good results. But now our goal is to come first or second in the group. So we are going to do better in this tournament.
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