Sweden hold Germany – Russia stun Italy at women’s Euro

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BREDA, Netherlands, July 18, (AFP): Holders Germany were held to a goalless draw by Sweden while underdogs Russia stunned Italy as Group B opened at the women’s Euro tournament in the Netherlands.

In Breda, Sweden picked up their first point in 12 competitive encounters with Germany, who have by now won the European title six times in a row and eight times overall.

Earlier in Rotterdam, first-half goals from Elena Danilova and Elena Morozova handed Russia a surprise 2-1 win over Italy.

In a reprise of the Olympic final from Rio, Germany kept Sweden under pressure in an uneventful first half but they failed to create scoring chances against solid defence.

Their dominance continued in the second half, with substitute Mandy Islacker the biggest threat for the Swedish goal.

In the 65th minute, she flicked a low cross from Carolin Simon just past the post.

Sweden then demonstrated their strength on the counter-attack but Stina Blackstenius failed to deliver following a superb run as her weak shot was blocked by keeper Almuth Schult who also stopped Lotta Schelin’s breakaway effort two minutes later.

Seven minutes before the end, Islacker flicked a low pass from captain Dzsenifer Marozsan under the crossbar, but Chelsea keeper Hedvig Lindahl cleared the ball over the bar.

“In the first half we had a little bit too much respect for Sweden but we can be happy with the second half,” said Marozsan, an Olympique Lyon midfielder.

Sweden coach Pia Sundhage said she was happy with the result and “especially the way we defended.

“It was a good start into this tournament, for us it has been crucial to get a good start.”

In Rotterdam, Russia’s Danilova struck nine minutes into the game with a low shot from outside the box that took Italian keeper Chiara Marchitelli by surprise at her left post.

On 26 minutes, Morozova headed in Ekaterina Sochneva’s corner to give Russia a 2-0 lead which Italy merely reduced through Ilaria Mauro’s 88th-minute consolation goal.

Russia were avenging three 2-0 defeats from Italy at previous Euro tournaments, as well as a 3-0 loss in a friendly last December.

Russia’s high pressing kept Italy at bay most of the time, and when that failed, their 19-year-old keeper Tatiana Shcherbak came to the rescue.

Shcherbak cleared a long-range left-foot blast from Marta Carissimi in the first half and then forced out a vicious long-range shot from captain Melania Gabbiadini, curling into her top corner.

Two minutes from the end, Shcherbak failed to react to a random pass which Mauro barely touched and which ended up in the Russian net.

But she produced another superb save in stoppage time, sending Elisa Bartoli’s header onto the crossbar and the goal line, from which the Russian defence managed to clear it.

“We were too deep,” Italian defender Elena Linari told UEFA’s website.

“They were able to get players in whenever they wanted to.”

Meanwhile, England’s goalkeeper Karen Bardsley said Tuesday she expected a tough physical game when the Lionnesses take on Scotland in their women’s Euro opener.

Ahead of Wednesday’s group D game in Utrecht she said: “We’re hoping that the game obviously goes in our favour but we’re expecting big things from Scotland, they’re a fantastic side with some really good players.”

“It’s really going to be a tough opposition because there’s the rivalry and everything so that’s something that we’re prepared for,” the 32-year-old American-born Manchester City keeper told AFP.

England boast a record of six wins in as many competitive games against Scotland, and 21 wins, two draws and a single loss overall, but Bardsley said history did not matter.

“I think in a tournament things are always a little more exciting,” she said.

“They’ll be a physical side, they’ve got some great technical ability, especially in the midfield, and up top we know that they’re struggling with some injuries, but I’m expecting a physical game, an aggressive game, a fast game, probably a direct game.”

Scotland are missing key players Kim Little and Jennifer Beattie, who stayed at home with injuries, while midfielder Hayley Lauder is recovering from an injury and is unlikely to play on Wednesday.

“OK, they’re missing a few key players, but other players will step into their roles,” said England striker Jodie Taylor.

“I don’t think it will be an easy game, obviously the rivalry with Scotland and being the first game in the tournament — I think it’s going to be an extremely tough game,” the 31-year-old Arsenal forward told AFP. “It’s going to be a battle of Britain.”

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