European Women's Under-17 Championship Final round - Nyon 2011

RapportWU17E.indd 1 10.10.11 09:58 TOURNAMENT O CONTENTS Tournament overview 2 The fi nal 4

Technical topics 6 TheThe fourthfourth fi nnalal tournamenttournament of tthehe EEuropeanEururopeanean WomenWoWomen’smen’n s Under-17 Championship was, like the previous three, Talking points 9 staged at the Colovray stadium, next to UEFA’s head- quarters complex in Nyon. As on previous occasions, Team analysis: 10 administrative and logistical issues were conveniently resolved on the spot by UEFA staff, many of whom Team analysis: Germany 11 played roles at the tournament on a volunteer basis and contributed to a festive mood and a grassroots Team analysis: Iceland 12 environment. The event attracted a cumulative audience of 3,300 spectators, among them a large number who Team analysis: 13 had travelled from nearby France to support their team. TheThe fi nalnal andand bothboth semi-fisemi fi nanals were televised on a The technical observer 14 pan-Europeanpan-European basis by EurEurosporto and Eurosport 2, six locallocal ssponsorsponsors backedbacked thethe event,e including a local radio Results 15 station and newspaper, andand various grassroots activities were ppeggedegged to the event in Nyon. Skills sessions were conducted byby four membemembersr of the Swiss national team, Patrick Müller, capped 81 timest by Switzerland, was deeplydeeply involved in a series of promotional activities in his role ofof ‘tournament amambassador’,b football quizzes – withwith prizesppgrizes – were organised,organise and supporters were given opportunities to win adidasadidas Jabulani footballs signed by the playersplayers of SpainSpain andand the Republic of Ireland – the two fi nalists ofof the 2010 UUnder-17n competition.

The skills sessions involvedinvolved 200 boys and girls in the 5–14 ageage bracket ffromrom summer football camps (one(one of them run by SSwitzerland’switze 1994 World Cup playerplayer Nestor Subiat), yyouthouth clubs and clubs for girls inin the SSwisswiss cantons of Vaud,Vau Geneva and Fribourg. TheThe sesssessions,ions, llastingasting jjustust uunder two hours, were organisedorganised by UEFA in conjunctionconju with the cantonal footballfootball associations in VaVaudu (ACVF) and Geneva (ACGF). TheyThey featured eighteight skills stationss where the youngsters were able to work on variousvario aspects of their game, with the emphasisemphasis on funfun throughout and with SSwisswiss internatiointernationalsn Marie-Andrea Egli, JJenniferennifer OehrliOehrli,, Rahel Graf and Noémie BeneBeneyy hehelpinglping tto make it a memorable dadayy fforor the pparticipantsartic and their families.

WhWhenen tthehe bballall sstarted rolling in the ttournamentournament pproper,ro the spectators were gigivenven an oopportunityppor to assess the year’s ssusurpriseurrprir sse ppackage.ackag Thorlákur Arnason’s Much to the distress of Iceland IcelandicIcelandic debutantsdebutants had raised eyebrows by defender Írunn Aradóttir, scoring 37 goals and conceding only 2 during the six Spanish attacker qualifying matches that had earned them their trip to slides in to beat her to the ball during the semi-fi nal in Nyon Nyon. Their baptism of fi re was against the defending champions, Spain, whose possession play posed a series of questions which the seemingly overawed Icelandic team failed to answer. Individual errors had IMPRESSUM Pictures: an unquestionable infl uence on the scoreline, with This publication is produced by UEFA Sportsfi le the Spaniards surging into a three-goal lead before Ole Andersen (graphics) the interval. To their credit, the debutants soldiered Editorial Team: Andy Roxburgh Technical Observer: through the second half, shipping only one more goal (UEFA Technical Director) Béatrice von Siebenthal Graham Turner Setting: Production Team: Atema Communication SA, CH-Gland André Vieli Dominique Maurer Printing: UEFA Language Services Artgraphic Cavin SA, CH-Grandson

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RapportWU17E.indd 2 10.10.11 09:58 T OVERVIEW

– an own goal, to rub salt into wounds. “We have learnt about The immediate challenge for Ralf Peter was to re-motivate his stress,” Thorlákur Arnason admitted afterwards. “Most of disappointed players for the bronze-medal match against Iceland. the team were nervous and,now that they have experienced the Making only one change to his starting lineup, he challenged his feeling, they will know how to handle it better in the future.” players to re-assert their qualities and to lay claims to places in the Under-19 squad. They responded with a rampant display against The other semi-fi nal was played with enormous intensity by an Icelandic side in which Thorlákur Arnason made fi ve changes – two ‘experienced campaigners’ who showed no signs of fi rst- one of them the goalkeeper. The Germans were 5-0 ahead by the day nerves, even though French coach Paco Rubio felt that his interval and earned their bronze medals with an 8-2 fi nal scoreline. young charges lacked faith in their ability to beat the Germans. Signifi cantly, hat-tricks were scored by and Annabel A combination through the middle allowed Lina Magull to give Jäger, both of whom pushed forward from deep starting positions Ralf Peter’s side an early lead and, although punches were traded, to create goalscoring opportunities. Of the eight goals, four were the Germans went in at the interval leading on points. Rubio was long-range shots and three were derived from free-kicks. The thankful to be able to deliver a motivational half-time team talk Icelanders had the consolation of scoring twice during the second with only a 1-0 defi cit on the scoreboard. The response was half with two well-driven shots. Thorlákur Arnason conceded that satisfying for the French coach, while the German team paid the their lack of big-tournament experience had been a disadvantage price for failing to deal with two set plays – the fi rst, a free-kick but insisted “the players will benefi t greatly from participating in driven right-footed into the net from 25 metres out on the left the last four of a UEFA competition for the fi rst time – and fi nishing by skipper and, the second, an inswinging fourth represents the fi nest achievement in the history of Icelandic Lavogez corner headed home by Lydia Belkacemi. With just over football.” 20 minutes remaining, the Germans switched into onslaught mode and were rewarded when Annabel Jäger surged forward to strike The ten-goal thriller served as a curtain-raiser for the fi nal between a 30-metre lob into the French net and, with no extra time written France and Spain, which provided another advertisement for into the tournament regulations, force a penalty shoot-out. It the technical qualities of women’s football at this level. Karen turned out to be a 16 spot kick marathon topped and tailed by the Espelund, the fi rst women to be invited to sit on UEFA’s Executive two captains. Lavogez opened the shoot-out by hitting her penalty Committee, commented in Nyon: “Competitions stimulate wide and, after Jäger had failed to take advantage of a match development and about 45 of the 53 UEFA member associations ball at 5-5, the German skipper allowed France regularly participate in women’s competitions. Watching the to emerge as 6-5 winners by also shooting wide of the mark. senior Germany team at the Women’s World Cup, you could see how many players had worked through the youth tournaments, “We had trained for penalties,” German coach Ralf Peter which are becoming the natural pathway into the senior teams. commented, “but when it comes to the crunch, all you can do Structures in national associations are developing, playing is to try to keep the players calm and concentrated and tell them opportunities for girls are increasing, and all this leads to positive to shoot fi rmly and with conviction.” “We had also practised,” development in terms of raising the general level and enhancing said Paco Rubio, “but you can’t create the pressure of the crowd the standard of the football being played at this type of event.” around you. We won but I wouldn’t say that we totally handled the pressure.” “The players were able to see how narrow the line is between success andd ffailure,”ailure,” RRalfalf PPetereter aadded.dded. “The match was excellent aandnd didn’t deserve to have a loser. But that’s one of the things that are beautiful about the game – and it was a fi ne advertisementdvertisement for women’s football.” Both coaches highlightedhlighted the relevance ooff training-ground rehearsals inn a competition where shoot-outs play no part in thehe qualiqualifyingfying roundsrounds..

Facial expressions illustrate the tension of the semi-fi nal as France’s tries to close down German No 8 Melanie Leupolz

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RapportWU17E.indd 3 10.10.11 09:58 THE FINAL Albita’s brilliant bolt from the blue

It soon became clear that there would be nothing between the two teams as a tight encounter unfolded. Goalscoring chances were at a total premium, although, as anticipated, Spain enjoyed the majority of the possession and did the lion’s share of the attacking. They were propelled forward by two fi ne midfi elders – captain Gemma Gili, adept in defence and attack and a fi ne reader of the game, and Marina García, competitive, a strong tackler and a sharp passer. On the left wing Albita Pomares was a constant threat, especially in the fi rst half. Her positional play was excellent, and her positive running gave the Spaniards considerable attacking impetus.

Nevertheless, the fi rst half ended in deadlock with opportunities for both teams very few and far between. France defended sternly and capably, with the calm Griedge M’Bock Bathy Nka a solid presence in the heart of their rearguard. Further forward, French captain Claire With arms outstretched to keep balance, Spanish attacker Claudia Barea faces Lavogez showed glimpses of the qualities a high-speed challenge from French defender Marina Kerrache which made her a genuine game-changer, and she came closest to breaking the A festival atmosphere and welcome The two teams had got this far in stalemate after 20 minutes with a swerving summer sunshine were the order of the contrasting circumstances. Spain had right-foot free-kick from the left fl ank day for the fi nal at Nyon’s Colovray looked poised, commanding and comfort- which fl ew into the side netting – almost stadium. French and Spanish fl ags, horns, able in overcoming Iceland in the semi-fi nal, a carbon copy of her vital equaliser in the klaxons and fervent chants greeted the while France had faced, and come through, semi-fi nal against Germany. At the other two teams as they made their way onto a test of their nerves in a tense penalty end, Laura Gutiérrez saw a fi erce free-kick the fi eld for an eagerly awaited showdown. shoot-out against Germany. Both coaches, saved by French goalkeeper Solène A huge banner with one word – “SANDIE” of Spain and Paco Rubio of Durand, and bustling frontrunner Raquel – greeted France’s midfi elder , France, had promised beforehand to take Pinel fl ashed a header across goal. Those letting her know that family and friends the game to their adversaries. While player were the only notable chances as the had travelled from home to be with her for development mainly occupies the minds interval arrived. the big day. Other parents and close ones of the coaches in this age group, European swallowed hard in the stand as the national glory was there for the taking. What The same pattern was maintained on anthems played. Swiss referee Simona ensued was a fi nal between two sides that the restart, Spain having the ball most of Ghisletta gave a blast on her whistle, and gave no quarter and could not be separated the time and France looking to strike on the 2011 fi nal was under way. – until a dramatic, almost unexpected the counterattack, focussing on the strong, fi nish that perfectly summed up the fi ne forceful running of Meryll Wenger as their line between the elation of success and spearhead. The French youngsters were the despair of defeat. proving to be not as effective as Spain in their overall construction play, but they were able to match the technically profi - cient Spaniards thanks to their unstinting commitment and never-say-die attitude. Sandie Toletti’s massive work rate kept France in contention, especially in the second half, warming the hearts of her special fan club on the terraces.

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RapportWU17E.indd 4 10.10.11 09:58 Both defences remained disciplined and the dearth of chances persisted. Léa Jorge Vilda – attack and defence Declercq’s strong run down the right Two successive European Championship ended with a low cross from which Meryll wins signify a unique achievement for Wenger fi red over the top for France. Jorge Vilda, who took over the Spanish Down the other end went Spain for Durand Under-17 team in 2008 and lifted the trophy to tip over Alexia Putellas’ dipping drive. for the second time in Nyon less than a The all-action Lavogez curled a 20-metre month after his 30th birthday. It was also a free-kick wide and it began to look increas- triumph for the father-and-son combination ingly as if a single goal would prove which has taken Spain into fi nal tourna- decisive. The partisan, noisy crowd watched ments at Under-17 and Under-19 levels, intently as the fi nal stood balanced on a with Jorge taking his father Angel along as knife-edge. his number two when the Under-17s are in action and vice versa at Under-19 events. Everyone was preparing for the penalty shoot-out – there seemed no way that The other remarkable fact is that Spain Same family, same medals. Spain’s either side could fashion a goal at the end have won their brace of titles without head coach Jorge Vilda has a hand on of a game where penalty area action had conceding a goal. For those who have the trophy while Angel, his assistant and father, gives the thumbs-up after been so relatively rare. Then, with the not seen Jorge Vilda’s side in action, the a second successive victory referee looking at her watch in added time, temptation is therefore to assert that a moment of ultimate high drama emerged Spanish success has been built on stout defence. Hence the training-ground focus virtually out of the blue. The vastly defending. But this is to misrepresent the on small-sided games which help to impressive Pomares – the key player in the playing philosophy defended by Spanish improve technique, positional play and match, always ready to shoot or try coaches in general and Jorge in particular. interception techniques. “Winning the title something positive – found herself free on Attack is the best form of defence for for a second time is an incredible thing,” the right of the penalty area after an astute a team which sets out to play attractive Jorge commented after the fi nal against back-heel from Gili. She looked up, let fl y in football and is prepared to run risks by France. “It transmits a message to the an instant, and the ball dipped over Durand, pressing high up the park, aiming to regain public that our success is not an accident hit the crossbar and bounced down into the possession in areas where immediate but the result of good work done by the net. The decisive moment had appeared damage can be infl icted on the opposing national association and by the clubs.” just when nobody was expecting it.

The goal sparked off scenes of wild celebration among the Spanish players, offi cials and fans. The gallant young French team sunk to the ground. There was no time left for them to react and the fi nal whistle heralded the usual contrasting emotions that victors and vanquished feel on such an occasion. “One small detail made the difference,” refl ected Jorge Vilda. “Football can be cruel – it was cruel for Germany in the semi-fi nal, it was cruel for us today,” added Paco Rubio. Indeed, the difference between triumph and sadness in football can often be measured by a hair’s breadth. On this Spain’s inspirational occasion, fortune favoured the skilful captain Gemma Gili keeps Spaniards, winners of the European her eyes on the ball as she rolls it away from women’s Under-17 crown for a second industrious French successive season. midfi elder Sandie Toletti

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RapportWU17E.indd 5 10.10.11 09:58 TECHNICAL TOPICS Winning and losing

Even though it is risky to discuss ‘trends’ conservative 4-5-1 formation, focusing on into their penalty area and then punishing in a four-match fi nal tournament, a second deep defending and attempts to make them with shooting from just outside the successive victory for Spain while, simulta- numbers count in midfi eld. Thorlákur box. Iceland’s two fi xtures produced 14 neously, the Spanish Under-19 men’s Arnason’s team had made an impact by goals which infl ated the tournament total. side was en route to another gold medal hitting double fi gures against Lithuania and The average of 4.75 goals per game even at the European fi nals in Romania high- Bulgaria in the fi rst qualifying round and surpassed the mean of 4.58 registered lighted the status of Spanish football as a then emphasising their strength by beating during the fi rst qualifying round and was trendsetter in both the men’s and women’s Italy 5-1 prior to victories over England, signifi cantly higher than the average of 3.5 games. Although the number of registered Sweden and Poland in a second qualifying per game during a second qualifying phase players has been a traditional handicap round where they scored eight times and where competition for the four places in when it comes to seeking success at the conceded only one goal. This background Nyon was especially intense. most senior level of the women’s game, information underscores the relevance the Under-17 side has celebrated two of big-tournament experience, given that This raised debating points about the conse cutive victories by holding a mirror the Icelandic team underperformed in format of the fi nal tournament, with one to the parameters of technique and Nyon, conceded a dozen of the tourna- observer commenting “when one of four combination play which have proved so ment’s 19 goals and, as Arnason admitted, teams is not up to the standard of the other successful for the men’s teams. were sometimes made to look “out of their three, it becomes a signifi cant infl uence on depth”. “There were moments,” he the tournament, whereas the presence of Indeed, one of the notable features of conceded, “when the players forgot one ‘underdog’ in a fi eld of eight is much the 2011 fi nal tournament of the men’s everything they were capable of doing. less crucial for the tournament as a whole”. Under-17 competition was a trend towards They lost their fi ghting spirit and couldn’t The format of the Under-17 competition – the 4-2-3-1 formation generally favoured keep possession. To say it was disap- UEFA’s only four-team fi nal tournament in by the Spaniards. This was less visible in pointing was an understatement.” the outdoor game – is a perpetual source the women’s competition where, although of debate with, on this occasion, a record Spaniards and Germans were basing their Despite getting nine outfi elders behind number of 42 national associations on the game plans on the 4-2-3-1 structure with the ball as rapidly as possible, Iceland’s starting grid with something under a 1 in two screening midfi elders, the French deep defending did not suffi ce to cope with 10 chance of qualifying. opted for a 4-3-3 with Sophie Vaysse the 4-2-3-1 attacking formations of Spain operating as a single screening midfi elder. and Germany, with the latter especially PREPARATIONS The Icelandic debutants started in a more profi cient at pushing the Icelanders back The general feeling was that, even with the Icelandic team out of sorts, the tourna- ment emphasised a steady upward trend in playing standards. UEFA’s technical observer, Béatrice von Siebenthal, noted “the top three teams in Nyon performed at a reasonable to high level, with good intensity and a sustained high tempo.” The other noticeable feature is greater attention on training pitches to individual skills, with many of the players on the fi eld in Nyon displaying very high standards of technique. Although the German team struggled to get into top gear, all players in all departments were comfortable on the ball, athletically well prepared and equipped to play attractive combination moves.

The German team stuck to its traditional preparation programme, based on physical schedules designed by the national association and distributed to clubs, while work on solo and specialised techniques was supplemented by the use of DVDs. Before travelling to Nyon, they had two

The ponytails go fl ying as Iceland’s Glódís Perla Viggosdóttir gets a toe to the ball and frustrates German striker

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RapportWU17E.indd 6 10.10.11 09:58 week-long training camps and two prepa- THE PLAYMAKERS Lúdvíksdóttir, with France’s Claire Lavogez ration games – one against a team from the One of the questions to arise was related getting her name on the scoresheet from a women’s Bundesliga and the other against to the areas of the pitch where the most dead-ball situation – a direct free-kick. a men’s youth team. The French squad talented individuals were being deployed. followed suit with two games against male The tournament in Nyon hinted strongly that SET PLAYS opposition as part of a programme based more teams are now fi elding their ‘play- Almost one-third of the goals stemmed on three four-day training camps. The makers’ in the midfi eld screening roles. from set plays, with no fewer than fi ve Spanish squad had got together for three The French No 8, Sandie Toletti, emerged scored from direct free-kicks. France’s two days per month on an all-year-round basis, as one of her side’s most infl uential fi gures, goals against Germany both stemmed from while specifi c preparations for Nyon started Gemma Gili and Marina García were dead-ball situations, leaving Ralf Peter with a pair of four-day training camps with a fundamental in launching Spanish attacks, lamenting laxity in marking. The second of pre-selection of 24 players and a fi nal and the German pairing of Lina Magull and them, a header by midfi elder Lydia Belka- get-together with the selected squad of 18. Melanie Leupolz was energetic in launching cemi was the tournament’s only goal to With their national championship in full and supporting attacks – and getting stem from a . The tournament swing, the Icelandic squad assembled only forward into scoring positions. produced a total of 44 corners. two days before travelling to Switzerland and played no preparation matches. THE GOALSCORERS LONG-RANGE SHOOTING Among the salient features of the 2011 As mentioned elsewhere in this report, The two fi nalists, Spain and France, pinned fi nals was the fact that few of the goals long-range shots not only accounted for their playing philosophy to high levels of were scored by the most advanced 26% of the tournament’s goals but also technique allied with the aims of domi- strikers. Three of the four contestants represented a response to deep defending nating possession and dictating the tempo operated with a lone striker – the German which often made space available around of the game. In both teams, ball control formation permitting shades of meaning the edge of the box. In this age group, and, more especially, the fi rst touch were to be drawn, with Fabienne Dongus gen e - developing the ability to shoot accurately accomplished enough to allow passes to rally offering close support to main striker from 20 metres or more undoubtedly be delivered and received in tight situations Lena Petermann. The only open-play goal delivers dividends. The high success and for attacks to be based on neat combi- by a striker came from Iceland’s Aldís rate can be correlated with standards nation moves, esespeciallypecially iinn tthehe wwideide areas. The topp tthreehree teams ddeployedeployed two wingers:rs: CClaudialaudia Barea and Albita Pomares in the SSpanishpanish attack, Kadidiatou Diani and Léaéa DeclercqDeclercq for the French, and Linda Dallmannann and SSaraara Däbritz switching positionsons on the GGermanerman winwings.gs.

Spanish attacker Alexia Putellas uses her body to protect the ball from a challenge by Iceland defender Írunn Aradóttir

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RapportWU17E.indd 7 10.10.11 09:58 GOALSCORING PATTERNS The goal times at the 2011 fi nal tournament provide a clear indicator of high fi tness levels, in the sense that fatigue is often translated into a fl urry of late goals. In this case, only two goals were scored after the 70th minute – one of them the added-time winner which gave the title to Spain. Scoring patterns were also practically iden - tical in the two halves of the four games: nine before the interval, compared with ten after the break.

Minutes Goals % 1-10 1 5 11-20 3 16 21-30 1 5 31-40 3 16 40+ 1 5 41-50 3 16 51-60 1 5 61-70 4 21 71-80 1 5 German attacker tries to keep her balance under challenge 80+ 1 5 from French defender Charlotte Lorgère Decimal points account for the missing 1% MIND GAMES of goalkeeping at this level. In turn, analysis to recruiting goalkeeping coaches for Iceland’s coach, Thorlákur Arnason, of goalkeeping ‘mistakes’ needs to be female teams.” refl ected on the big-match nerves which, correlated with physical stature in this he felt, had undermined his team’s age group. It can be argued that a lofted CREATING CHANCES performance. French coach Paco Rubio long-range shot has a greater chance The four matches played in Nyon generated commented after the penalty shoot-out of success at this level than in senior 19 goals from 83 scoring attempts – a high win against Germany, “the players worked women’s football. However, one of the 23% success rate. Curiously, this percent- well together, they battled hard and, most coaches in Nyon commented “it is age is comparable with the 2010 fi nal importantly, they were mentally strong. currently very diffi cult to fi nd good goal- tournament – but the parameters are vastly Normally French teams win matches keepers at Under-17 level. One way of different. In 2010, the four matches pro- thanks to their technique but this game tackling this problem could be for national duced only 33 goal attempts, of which was about concentrating and resisting associations to offer more determined 7 were converted. The chart offers a break- intense pressure.” He and the German encouragement to clubs when it comes down of the impressive 2011 fi gures. coach, Ralf Peter, discussed the mental demands imposed by a penalty shoot-out Team Attempts Average On Target Average in a big-match atmosphere – regardless of the number of penalties which had been France 17 8.5 5 2.5 successfully converted on the training Germany 39 19.5 24 12 pitch. Spanish coach Jorge Vilda, after his Iceland 5 2.5 4 2 team had scored the added-time winner which earned gold medals, said “we were Spain 22 11 16 8 patient and we never abandoned our playing philosophy. Mental strength has a big role to play in this.” How important is mental strength at Under-17 level? And how can coaches help to develop a quality which, even at this level, is often the difference between winning and losing?

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RapportWU17E.indd 8 10.10.11 09:58 TALKING POINTS

LEADING THE WAY FORWARD? HOW LONG TO GO, REF? “What I really missed was the sort of player who could show One of the interesting talking points to emerge (and it was a leadership and take decisions.” This view expressed by one of talking point rather than a detonator for explosive debate) was the coaches at the Under-17 fi nals refuelled debate about the based on the France v Germany semi-fi nal. With 2-2 on the parameters of women’s football – and it may be worth mentioning scoreboard after 80 minutes, the match went directly to a penalty that the four coaches who took squads to Nyon were all men. So shoot-out with no extra time and access to the fi nal was decided an initial query likely to provoke heated discussion is whether male when the 16th spot kick went astray. Until the fourth minute of coaches fully understand the female psyche. This is one of the added time, the fi nal seemed to be heading the same way. The perennial talking points in women’s football. Indeed, the technical coaches saw both sides of the coin. They agreed it would be report on the senior women’s EURO 2009 mentioned that “the nicer to decide the match without penalties. On the other hand, contestants were unanimously praised for their team ethic, their in a tournament which offers limited time for rest and recovery, it discipline and their commitment to the collective cause. Was seems sensible to go straight to penalties – especially in this age it therefore churlish of one observer to comment on a ‘lack of group. Is this a widely held view? characters or dominant personalities’?” A related talking point is about the 2 x 40 minutes played at Discussions are inevitably coloured by defi nitions of ‘character’, Under-17 level. The coaches in Nyon commented that most of ‘personality’ and ‘temperament’. The latter leads the debate into the players were playing 2 x 45 minutes in fi rst or second division quicksand because there is a temptation to link it with disciplinary football. Is 80 minutes still the best formula? Or is it time for a issues. Five yellow cards in four matches (four of them for German review? players) represent a statistic which – especially bearing in mind UEFA’s commitment to the Respect campaign – warrants a round TIME FOR CHANGES? of applause. But there will always be a devil’s advocate who will Ten players (14% of the workforce) went home from Nyon interpret it as a lack of ‘winning mentality’. Is it fair to confuse the without having played any football. One proposal to emerge was two issues? Is it legitimate to equate ‘leadership qualities’ with to permit fi ve substitutions instead of three with a view to offering behaviour that warrants yellow cards? more educational benefi ts in this youth development tournament. The counter-argumentcounter argument was that ten changes could disrupt games.games. Several questions can sparkspark off discussion. Is the (traditionall(traditionally)y) IsIs it a viable proposition?proposition? lowlow number of yellow cards a symptom of ‘passive behaviour’? IsIs there a tendenctendencyy for pplayerslayers to be excessivelexcessivelyy self-effacinself-effacing?g? How importantimportant is it to develodevelopp pplayerslayers with leadershileadershipp qualitiesqualities?? And, if it is deemed positive, how can it best be achieved?achieved? Would greatergreater contact with male pplayerslayers or teams, for instance, add competitivecompetitive edgeedge without exertinexertingg ananyy nenegativegative ininflfl uence in thethe discidisciplinaryplinary ssphere?phere?

French midfi elder Sophie Vaysse stretches to the limit in an attempt to block a pass by Spanish captain Gemma Gili during the fi nal

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RapportWU17E.indd 9 10.10.11 09:58 FRANCE

COACH Francisco “Paco” RUBIO 06.12.1953

At half-time against Germany I made changes No Player Born Pos GER ESP G Club because I felt that it was only the technical staff who 1 Solène DURAND 20.11.1994 GK 80 80 HSC believed we could do it. 2 Sarah HUCHET 04.05.1994 DF 80 80 Stade Briochin We geed them up a bit and 3 Charlotte LORGÈRE 25.08.1994 DF 40* 25 Toulouse FC they went back out and rose 4 Marina KERRACHE 10.02.1994 DF 80 80 Toulouse FC to the challenge. In the fi nal, 5 Griedge M’BOCK Bathy Nka 26.02.1995 DF 80 80 Stade Briochin Spain had the ball and the players who normally create 6 Lydia BELKACEMI 02.03.1994 MF 80 80 1 Le Mans FC our attacking play were not 7 Léa DECLERCQ 12.05.1995 FW 80 80 FC Hénin-Beaumont able to do so. The team had 8 Sandie TOLETTI 13.07.1995 MF 40* 80 Montpellier HSC been together for a year 9 Meryll WENGER 03.10.1994 FW 40+ 79 Montpellier HSC and a half and they expe- 10 Claire LAVOGEZ 18.06.1994 MF 80 80 1 FC Hénin-Beaumont rienced a positive adven- ture. It hurts terribly to lose 11 14.12.1994 FW 1 Stade Briochin a fi nal because people only 12 Marie ADRAM 23.04.1995 DF 40+ Montigny-le-Bretonneux remember the team that 13 Claire LEVASSEUR 04.02.1994 DF FCF Juvisy came fi rst. It’s a shame that 14 Charlotte LANDRIEUX 22.01.1994 MF FC Hénin-Beaumont we had to leave each other 15 Sophie VAYSSE 22.01.1994 MF 80 80 AS PTT Albi on a note of disappointment but they will always 16 Romane MUNICH 08.10.1994 GK FSV Jägersburg (GER) remember this – and I hope 17 Kadidiatou DIANI 01.04.1995 FW 80 36* FCF Juvisy that they go on to play more 18 Mélodie HUREZ 22.05.1994 FW 19 FC Hénin-Beaumont fi nals and live more Pos = Position; G = Goals; * = Started; + = Substitute experiences like this one.

France v Germany

• 4-3-3 with single midfi eld screen and • Quick defence-to-attack transitions with two fast wingers ball moved quickly to fl anks • Excellent technique in all departments • Strong central defenders; occasional with outstanding individuals individual marking in midfi eld • Attacks preferably built on short-passing • Fluent attacking play with frequent combinations positional switches • Goalkeeper an effi cient supplier of long passes to frontrunners

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RapportWU17E.indd 10 10.10.11 09:58 GERMANY

COACH Ralf PETER 10.09.1961

We had our noses in front during the shoot-out No Player Born Pos FRA ISL G Club against France, but nerves play a part. The players 1 Friederike ABT 07.07.1994 GK 80 40* Herforder SV have to digest what 2 Sarah ROMERT 13.12.1994 DF 80 FC Bayern München happened as part of their 3 Liesa SEIFERT 17.08.1994 DF 80 80 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam development. We didn’t 4 Katharina LEIDING 17.03.1994 DF 80 57 SG Essen-Schönebeck attain our objective of 5 Franziska BRÖCKL 13.06.1994 DF 80 80 FSV Gütersloh 2009 winning the title, but we played good football during 6 Lina MAGULL 15.08.1994 MF 80 80 4 FSV Gütersloh 2009 long periods of the tour- 7 Linda DALLMANN 02.09.1994 FW 80 80 SG Essen-Schönebeck nament and we demon- 8 Melanie LEUPOLZ 14.04.1994 MF 80 80 1 TSV Tettnang strated that we had enough 9 Lena PETERMANN 05.02.1994 FW 80 80 Hamburger SV quality to have reached the 10 Sara DÄBRITZ 15.02.1995 FW 80 57 1 SpVgg Weiden fi nal. It was a challenge to motivate them to go for the 11 Fabienne DONGUS 11.05.1994 FW 63 80 VfL Sindelfi ngen bronze medal but the most 12 Meike KÄMPER 23.04.1994 GK 40+ FCR 2001 Duisburg important thing is that 13 Hanna KALLMAIER 18.01.1994 DF FC Bayern München many players confi rmed 14 Annabel JÄGER 06.01.1994 DF 17 80 4 FSV Gütersloh 2009 that they have a bright 15 Jacqueline DE BACKER 12.07.1994 FW 1. FC Saarbrücken future ahead of them. So they have to take the 16 Christina SCHEDEL 29.04.1994 DF 23 FC Bayern München lessons learnt in this 17 Merle BARTH 21.04.1994 MF 23 Bayer 04 Leverkusen tournament with them to 18 Selina HÜNERFAUTH 15.10.1994 MF TSG 1899 Hoffenheim the next level and continue Pos = Position; G = Goals; * = Started; + = Substitute to build their futures.

Germany v France

• 4-2-3-1 with twin screening midfi elders, • Attacks well supported with full-backs two wingers and support striker forward and many players in fi nal third • High levels of technique, enabling team • Disciplined, collective defensive play; to dominate possession play 6 and 8 the midfi eld creators • Physically strong; able to sustain high • Wide range of attacking options based tempo throughout 80 minutes on fl uent combinations • Rapid transitions from defence to attack with direct supply to forwards

11

RapportWU17E.indd 11 10.10.11 09:58 ICELAND

COACH Thorlákur ARNASON 13.09.1969

We were very disappointed after the game against No Player Born Pos ESP GER G Club Spain. Tactics are irrelevant when nobody can win or 1 Unnbjörg OMARSDÓTTIR 18.04.1994 GK 80 Vikingur keep the ball. The players 2 Sandra Maria JESSEN 18.01.1995 MF 22 46 Thor were obviously affected by 3 Gudrún ARNARDÓTTIR 29.07.1995 DF 80 40* Selfoss the occasion – the TV 4 Írunn ARADÓTTIR 26.05.1994 DF 80 80 Stjarnan cameras, the atmosphere, 5 Glódís Perla VIGGOSDÓTTIR 27.06.1995 MF 80 80 HK everything. The second half was just about pride. 6 Lara Kristin PEDERSEN 23.05.1994 MF 80 80 Afturelding Against Germany we played 7 Telma THRASTARDÓTTIR 29.03.1995 MF 80 80 1 Stabæk Fotboll (NOR) better and showed glimpses 8 Lara GARDARSDÓTTIR 11.03.1994 MF 80 34 IBV Vestmannaeyjar of football that we hadn’t 9 Aldís LÚDVÍKSDÓTTIR 07.01.1994 FW 58 24 1 FH Hafnarfjördur seen in the semi-fi nal. 10 Gudmunda OLADÓTTIR 03.01.1994 FW 40* 80 Selfoss Germany never really opened us up that much – 11 Hildur ANTONSDÓTTIR 18.09.1995 MF 80 80 Valur Reykjavik the goals we conceded were 12 Arna KRISTINSDÓTTIR 27.07.1994 GK 80 Kefl avik mostly from set pieces or 13 Svava ÓLAFSDÓTTIR 22.07.1994 DF 80 IBV Vestmannaeyjar from long range. I changed 14 Eva ABRAHAMSDÓTTIR 23.02.1994 MF 18 56 Fylkir the team, taking out some 15 Ingibjorg ELLERTSDÓTTIR 14.01.1994 DF 40+ Grindavik players who hadn’t played to their potential against 16 Agusta KRISTINSDÓTTIR 30.04.1994 MF KA Spain and giving others 17 Berglind AGUSTSDÓTTIR 28.07.1995 FW Valur Reykjavik a chance to experience 18 Anna María BALDURSDÓTTIR 28.08.1994 DF 62 40+ Stjarnan tournament football – Pos = Position; G = Goals; * = Started; + = Substitute because this is all about player development.

Iceland v Spain

• 4-5-1 with single screening midfi elder • Counterattacks launched by goalkeeper and lone advanced striker or central defenders • Very strong team ethic, commitment • Emphasis on direct supply to advanced to cause; fought to the end striker with support from midfi eld • Compact deep defending with ten • Extensive use of long passes behind players behind ball in defensive third opposing defence from central midfi eld • Strength in central core, especially 4 in defence and 6, 11 in central midfi eld

12

RapportWU17E.indd 12 10.10.11 09:58 SPAIN

COACH Jorge VILDA 07.07.1981

The players who already had 25 caps and had played No Player Born Pos ISL FRA G Club the previous year and in the World Cup represented an 1 ANE Ochoa 18.04.1995 GK Gasteiz important asset. The fi nal 2 CELIA Jiménez 20.06.1995 DF 40+ Sevilla FC against France was evenly 3 MAITANE López 13.03.1995 DF Ciutat de Palma balanced. Both teams 4 IVANA Andrés 13.07.1994 DF 72 80 Valencia CF played well and cancelled 5 Laura ‘GUTI’ Gutiérrez 02.05.1994 DF 80 80 FC each other out. So one small detail was likely to 6 PAULITA López Muñoz 04.07.1994 DF 8 Club Atlético de Madrid make the difference. Our 7 GEMMA Gili 21.05.1994 MF 66 80 Valencia CF goalkeeper, Noelia Gil, was 8 MARINA García 03.08.1994 MF 80 80 1 SP Llanos Olivenza very solid and Ivana Andrés 9 30.08.1994 FW 56 76 CD Sporting Club had an impeccable tour- 10 Claudia ‘COMGUI’ Barea 19.01.1994 FW 80 56 Valencia CF nament in the centre of the defence. But the victory 11 ALEXIA Putellas 04.02.1994 FW 80 80 2 RCD Espanyol was the fruit of team efforts 12 NELLY Maestro 19.07.1994 MF 14 UD Aragonesa and that’s why it made me 13 NOELIA Gil Pérez 23.05.1994 GK 80 80 Club Atlético de Madrid particularly happy. Two 14 LAURITA Ortiz 04.05.1994 FW 24 Club Atlético de Madrid titles in a row is something 15 SILVIA Pereira 28.06.1994 FW 24 4 Escuela Navega incredible and I hope it translates into greater 16 ALBITA Pomares 29.08.1995 FW 80 80 1 RCD Espanyol media coverage that will 17 Raquel CARREÑO 01.02.1994 DF 80 40* AD Torrejón encourage more girls in 18 NURIA Mendoza 15.12.1995 DF 80 80 RCD Espanyol Spain to take part in Pos = Position; G = Goals; * = Started; + = Substitute football. 1 goal was an own goal by Iceland’s Glódís Perla Viggosdóttir

Spain v Iceland

• 4-2-3-1 with twin screening midfi elders • Immediate intense pressure on ball and two dangerous wingers carrier; possession quickly regained • High levels of technique, enabling team • Compact defending in central areas to dominate possession by defenders 4, 5 + 6, 8 in midfi eld • Excellent combination moves based • Strong team ethic; led by very mature, on neat, high-quality passing experienced players for the age group • Attacking philosophy; good use of space; purposeful play on the wings

13

RapportWU17E.indd 13 10.10.11 09:58 THE TECHNICAL OBSERVERRVER

The proximity to UEFA’s headquarters meant that there was no shortage of “technical observers” at the fi nal tournament in Nyon, with UEFA’s technical director, Andy Roxburgh, wearing the captain’s armband. The offi cial technical observer was Béatrice von Siebenthal, the coach of the Swiss women’s national team. Béatrice had 14 seasons of football at BCO Basel, SV Sissach and FC Bern before starting a coaching career immediately after hanging up her boots. She recalls that she was the only woman on the course where she acquired her coaching credentials – culminating in a UEFA Pro licence. After a year in regional football, she took over at FC Rot-Schwarz in Thun and made her Switzerland’s senior international debut in 1995 when she combined her club role national team coach with the job of coaching the Swiss women’s Under-19 team. Béatrice von Siebenthal acted as UEFA technical A year later, she joined the coaching staff at the Swiss national observer during the fi nal association and has been at the helm of the senior women’s tournament in Nyon national team since 2005.

TOP SCORERS

Goals Player Country 4 Annabel JÄGER Germany Lina MAGULL Germany 2 Alexia PUTELLAS Spain

TECHNICAL TEAM SELECTION

No Name Country Goalkeepers Defenders Goalkeepers 1 Solène DURAND France 13 Noelia GIL Spain

Defenders Solène Noelia Ivana Írunn Laura Annabel 4 Ivana ANDRÉS Spain DURAND GIL ANDRÉS ARADÓTTIR GUTIÉRREZ JÄGER 4 Írunn ARADÓTTIR Iceland Defenders Midfi elders 5 Laura GUTIÉRREZ Spain 14 Annabel JÄGER Germany 5 Griedge M’BOCK Bathy Nka France 18 Nuria MENDOZA Spain

Midfi elders Griedge Nuria Marina Gemma Melanienie LinaLina 8 Marina GARCÍA Spain M’BOCK Bathy Nka MENDOZA GARCÍA GILI LEUPOLZOLZ MMAGULLAGULL 7 Gemma GILI Spain Midfi elders Attackers 8 Melanie LEUPOLZ Germany 6 Lina MAGULL Germany 6 Lara PEDERSEN Iceland 8 Sandie TOLETTI France

Attackers Lara Sandie Sara Linda Léa Fabienne 10 Sara DÄBRITZ Germany PEDERSEN TOLETTI DÄBRITZ DALLMANN DECLERCQ DONGUS 7 Linda DALLMANN Germany Attackers 7 Léa DECLERCQ France 11 Fabienne DONGUS Germany 10 Claire LAVOGEZ France 9 Raquel PINEL Spain 16 Albita POMARES Spain Claire Raquel Albita Alexia 10 Alexia PUTELLAS Spain LAVOGEZ PINEL POMARES PUTELLAS

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RapportWU17E.indd 14 10.10.11 09:58 RESULTS

SEMI-FINALS THIRD-PLACE MATCH

28 July 2011 31 July 2011 Iceland – Spain 0-4 (0-3) Iceland – Germany 2-8 (0-5) 0-1 Marina García (12) 0-2 Alexia Putellas (34) 0-3 Alexia Putellas (36) 0-1 Sara Däbritz (12) 0-2 Lina Magull (14) 0-3 Annabel Jäger (26) 0-4 Glódís Viggosdóttir (67-own goal) 0-4 Annabel Jäger (38) 0-5 Lina Magull (40+1) 0-6 Lina Magull (47-pen) Attendance: 700 at Stade de Colovray, Nyon; KO 14.00 1-6 Telma Thrastardottir (48) 1-7 Annabel Jäger (67) 1-8 Melanie Leupolz (68) Yellow card: ESP: Alexia Putellas (72) 2-8 Aldís Lúdvíksdóttir (80) Referee: Simona Ghisletta (Switzerland) / Assistants: Saribekyan; Vidova / Attendance: 550 at Stade de Colovray, Nyon; KO 14.00 Fourth offi cial: Grundbacher Yellow cards: GER: Melanie Leupolz (46), Lena Petermann (57), Lina Magull (80+4) Germany – France 2-2 (1-0); 5-6 in penalty shoot-out Referees: Konstantina Boumpouri (Greece) / Spirkoska; Zora / Grundbacher 1-0 Lina Magull (8) 1-1 Claire Lavogez (49) 1-2 Lydia Belkacemi (60) 2-2 Annabel Jäger (68) Penalty shoot-out (France started): 0-0 Claire Lavogez (wide) 0-1 Lina Magull 1-1 Lydia Belkacemi 1-1 Linda Dallmann (saved) 2-1 Léa Declercq 2-2 Liesa MATCH OFFICIALS Seifert 3-2 Marina Kerrache 3-3 Lena Petermann 4-3 Sarah Huchet 4-4 Sara Däbritz 5-4 Griedge M’Bock Bathy Nka 5-5 Franziska Bröckl 5-5 Marie Adram Name Country Date of Birth FIFA (saved) 5-5 Annabel Jäger (wide) 6-5 Meryll Wenger 6-5 Melanie Leupolz (wide) Referees Attendance: 550 at Stade de Colovray, Nyon; KO 18.00 Konstantina BOUMPOURI Greece 09.05.1981 2010 Yellow card: GER: Annabel Jäger (76) Simona GHISLETTA Switzerland 11.06.1976 2010 Referees: Konstantina Boumpouri (Greece) / Spirkoska; Zora / Grundbacher Assistant Referees Araksya SARIBEKYAN Armenia 27.02.1982 2009 FINAL Vesna SPIRKOSKA FYR Macedonia 04.03.1985 2009 Gergana VIDOVA Bulgaria 18.12.1977 2000 31 July 2011 Kateryna ZORA Ukraine 09.03.1986 2011 Spain – France 1-0 (0-0) 1-0 Albita Pomares (80+2) Fourth Offi cial Spain: Noelia Gil; Raquel Carreño (Celia Jiménez 41), Laura Gutiérrez, Désirée GRUNDBACHER Switzerland 16.08.1983 – Ivana Andrés, Nuria Mendoza; Gemma Gili (captain), Marina García; Claudia Barea (Laura Ortiz 56), Alexia Putellas, Albita Pomares; Raquel Pinel (Silvia Pereira 76) France: Solène Durand; Sarah Huchet, Marina Kerrache, Griedge M’Bock Bathy Nka, Lydia Belkacemi; Sophie Vaysse, Sandie Toletti; Kadidiatou Diani (Mélodie Hurez 36 / Charlotte Lorgère 55), Claire Lavogez (captain), Léa Declercq; Meryll Wenger (Clarisse Le Bihan 79) Attendance: 1,500 at Stade de Colovray, Nyon; KO 18.00 Yellow cards: None Referees: Simona Ghisletta (Switzerland) / Saribekyan;y Vidova / Grundbacher

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