Germany continued their domination of women’s football by thrashing England 6-2 in the final of Euro 2009 in Finland. Grings laid the ball on for Prinz to roll past Brown in the 19th minute and 3 minutes later Melanie Behringer let fly from 41 yards to double the German lead, but within 2 minute England pulled a goal back when Kelly Smith ran onto a long ball in the box and dribbled her way along the by-line to present Karen Carney with a tap-in. Five minutes into the 2nd half Krahn's volley came off the post and Kim Kulig knocked the rebound into the roof of the net, but 5 minutes later Kelly Smith skilfully beat a German defender in the box to fire past Angerer in the German goal. Inka Grings restored Germany’s 2 goal lead with a firm header in the 62nd minute and caught England’s defence flat-footed on the counter attack to cue the ball up for a shot past Brown in the 73rd minute. Birgit Prinz lashed in the 6th a few minutes later to cap a magnificent victory for Germany. (picture: German keeper Nadine Angerer flying high against England)
How they reached the final
With Casey Stoney having received the only red card of the tournament in the 29th minute, a Tuttino screamer 8 minutes from time condemned England to a 2-1 defeat in their opening match against Italy. Within 22 minutes of their next match the England were 2 goals down to Russia and seemingly on their way out of the tournament, but by half time goals from Carney, Aluko and a long-rang wonder-goal from Kelly Smith had given the spirited English girls a 3-2 lead which they kept until fulltime. A 1-1 draw against Sweden in their final group match was enough to see England progress to next round.
Germany began the defence of their title with a flattering 4-0 win over Norway thanks to a first-half penalty conversion and 3 goals in the last 2 minutes of the match. An emphatic 5-1 win over France and single goal against Iceland gave the Germans the expected top spot in group B.
In the quarter finals a double from German goal machine Inka Grings was enough to see off Italy 2-1, while England eliminated feisty Finland 3-2 with Eniola Eluko grabbing a brace including an unstoppable run from kick-off after the hosts had pulled a goal back. In the other quarter-final matches the Dutch knocked France out on penalties after a goalless draw and Norway stunned Sweden 3-1 to set up a meeting with Germany.
In the semi-final matches Jill Scott headed in the winner 4 minutes from the end of extra time to give England a deserved 2-1 victory against the Netherlands and a place in the final against Germany who came from behind with 3 goals in the 2nd half including 2 from Fatmire Bajramaj to gain a 3-1 win against Norway.
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