Holders Germany got their UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2009™ campaign off to an emphatic start after a late burst of goals left Norway reeling
Linda Bresonik’s first-half penalty put the holders in front but they seemed unable to add to the lead, and Norway were even pushing for an equaliser. But Fatmire Bajramaj made it 2-0 in the 90th minute and fellow substitute Anja Mittag found the net two minutes later in added time before Bajramaj struck again to seal a convincing Group B win.
Upper hand
In a rematch of the 2005 final, won by Germany, it was the holders who carved out the first real opening of the match after just seven minutes. Melanie Behringer drove inside purposefully from the left wing before releasing a fizzing 15-metre drive. But Norway goalkeeper Ingrid Hjelmseth was well-positioned to block the initial effort before gathering the loose ball. Five minutes later, Germany's early pressure appeared to have paid off when Inka Grings headed in a Bianca Schmidt cross, but her effort was ruled offside.
Germany breakthrough
With 33 minutes gone, though, just as Norway looked to be clawing their way back into the match, Germany finally made the breakthrough after captain Birgit Prinz was fouled in the box by Norway's Maren Mjelde. Bresonik stepped up and made no mistake from the penalty spot.
Norway close
Norway mustered their best effort of the half three minutes later thanks to a terrific driving run by Isabell Herlovsen. The German-born striker burst down the right flank before centring the ball for strike partner Elise Thorsnes, who shot a fraction wide of the post. However, Norway could have been further behind if it was not for Hjelmseth; her best stop came on the stroke of half-time when she denied Behringer from point-blank range.
Pedersen denied
The second period brought further Germany pressure and yet more Hjelmseth heroics as, with an hour gone, another acrobatic save kept out a curling Grings free-kick, before Prinz was next to see her best effort batted away by the resilient Norway No1. With a minute to go there was nearly an equaliser as substitute Cecilie Pedersen, who only made her Norway debut last Wednesday, broke clear but was denied by Nadine Angerer.
Late goals
Germany broke, and Bajramaj made it 2-0 from Mittag's cross. Two minutes later Mittag had a goal of her own, her shot looping over Hjelmseth and in via a deflection off Camille Huse. Still the scoring was not complete, Bajramaj adding her second from close range, and Germany will be full of confidence when they meet France here on Thursday, when Norway will need to bounce back against Iceland.
France overcame an early scare to prove their credentials as genuine contenders at UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2009™.
Comeback
A typically physical Iceland side surged into an early lead thanks to Hólmfrídur Magnúsdóttir. But two penalties, one dispatched by Camille Abily, the other by Sonia Bompastor before Louisa Nécib added a stunning third, put France in control of the Group B fixture and Iceland's Margrét Lára Vidarsdóttir missed a spot-kick of her own.
Dream start
Although France went on to top their section, Iceland were the only nation to defeat, or even score against, France in qualifying. And after just six minutes lightning struck again as Magnúsdóttir gave Iceland the perfect start to their nation's first fixture in any senior football finals. Margrét Lára Vidarsdóttir broke away down the right wing to create the opening with a delightful, teasing cross that evaded the clutches of France goalkeeper Sarah Bouhaddi and Magnúsdóttir headed in.
Perfect response
Iceland's lead lasted merely 12 minutes, however. France's pressure paid off after Edda Gardarsdóttir had fouled France captain Sandrine Soubeyrand in the box and Abily stepped up to convert the penalty with expert poise. If everything seemed to be falling into place for France following a tentative start, coach Bruno Bini would not have counted on two of his players succumbing to injury within just three minutes as the interval approached. Both defender Corine Franco and striker Candie Herbert had to be withdrawn, the latter nursing a deep cut to the head after an accidental collision with Iceland's Gudrún Gunnarsdóttir.
Lead increases
Despite the setbacks, France began the second half positively. Five minutes after the restart, Soubeyrand tested Iceland No1 Thora Helgadóttir with a curling 20-metre free-kick, and on 53 minutes Bini's side completed their comeback by edging into the lead courtesy of a second penalty kick. Ólína Gudbjörg Vidarsdóttir barged Élodie Thomis off the ball and this time Abily's fellow American-based colleague Bompastor stepped up to convert. France struck again on 67 minutes, but this time with a virtuoso open play effort from Nécib. The Olympique Lyonnais schemer turned outside Ólína Gudbjörg Viđarsdóttir on the edge of the box before flashing the ball home with a well-placed drive.
Bouhaddi saves
With 13 minutes left to play, Iceland glimpsed a way back into the game when Sabrina Viguier downed Dóra María Lárusdóttir to concede the third penalty of the night. However, unlike her France counterparts, Iceland's Margrét Lára Vidarsdóttir – the top overall scorer in qualification – failed to keep her cool and her effort was saved by Bouhaddi. It was the last chance her side would have to claw their way back.
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