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Arsenal Ladies’ Katie Chapman played for England last night |
England’s Euro hopes crushed
Lionesses suffer heavy defeat to German world champions in final clash
Women’s European Championship
Germany 6, England 3
ENGLAND’S players will return home with their heads held high despite being hit for six by Germany last night (Thursday) in the final of the Women’s European Championship.
Hope Powell’s side were humbled by the reigning world and European champions in a disastrous night in Helsinki.
But despite suffering a 6-2 defeat, the Lionesses have helped boost women’s football and get the sport some much-needed media coverage with a string of tremendous performances on their way to the final.
Captained by Arsenal Ladies’ defender Faye White, England went into the tie as underdogs as they faced a Germany side that have won seven out of the last 10 major tournaments.
So there was little surprise when the Germans took the lead on 20 minutes, albeit against the run of play.
Three-time Women’s World Player of the Year Birgit Prinz latched on to a clever pass from Inka Grings before calmly slotting the ball past the keeper.
Things went from bad to worse as less than three minutes later Germany doubled their lead when Melanie Behringer smashed the ball into the top corner from all of 40 yards.
England refused to give up, and reignited the tie when former Arsenal Ladies’ stars Kelly Smith and Karen Carney combined to reduce the deficit.
Smith showed quick feet as she danced towards the byline before pulling the ball back for Carney, who was left with the easy task of slotting the ball into an empty net.
In a frantic start to the second-half, Germany restored their two-goal cushion when Kim Kulig scored from close range.
Within minutes Smith restored hope when she brilliantly controlled Carney’s pass and fired her shot across the keeper.
The goal would prove to be England’s final highlight as Germany went on to clinch the trophy thanks to two goals from Grings, and Prinz’s second of the game. |
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