Published 30 June 2022 4 min read
Women's U19
Match report: Sweden 1-0 England WU19s
An early goal sees the Young Lionesses lose in their second group game at U19 EURO in Czech Republic
England Women’s under-19s suffered a narrow defeat to Sweden in their second group game at the UEFA Women’s U19 EURO on Thursday afternoon.
After beating Norway by 4-1 in their opening match earlier in the week, Gemma Davies’ side approached the game knowing a win or even a draw would be enough to see them into the semi-finals.
But they came up against a sturdy Swedish outfit who never really looked like relinquishing an early lead despite the best efforts of the Young Lionesses, particularly in the second half.
The deciding goal came in just the seventh minute though, when Sweden won an early corner. It was whipped into the area by Anna Sandberg and Elma Nelhage rose highest to power an unstoppable header into the top corner, giving Khiara Keating no chance.
And it took a good save from Keating to stop Sweden doubling their lead in the 19th minute too, as Sweden easily broke up England’s corner at one end before launching a counter attack through the lively Svea Rhenberg. She picked out Matilda Nilden in the box, but her effort was stopped by Keating as Sweden looked to add to their tally.
England were almost gifted an equaliser just before the half-hour mark though, when Swedish goalkeeper Serina Backmark dropped a deep cross from Jorja Fox and attempted to gather at the second time. Grace Clinton was quickly in with a header to steal the ball from Backmark and it was only when it bounced back off the bar and into the keeper’s hands that Sweden were let off.
That moment seemed to spur England on and Backmark who gave them further encouragement ten minutes before the break when Kendall’s ball into the area for Clinton bounced back off the onrushing keeper’s knee and into Clinton. The ball trickled towards goal and was edging over the line before it was desperately scrambled clear by Sophia Reidy.
After beating Norway by 4-1 in their opening match earlier in the week, Gemma Davies’ side approached the game knowing a win or even a draw would be enough to see them into the semi-finals.
But they came up against a sturdy Swedish outfit who never really looked like relinquishing an early lead despite the best efforts of the Young Lionesses, particularly in the second half.
The deciding goal came in just the seventh minute though, when Sweden won an early corner. It was whipped into the area by Anna Sandberg and Elma Nelhage rose highest to power an unstoppable header into the top corner, giving Khiara Keating no chance.
And it took a good save from Keating to stop Sweden doubling their lead in the 19th minute too, as Sweden easily broke up England’s corner at one end before launching a counter attack through the lively Svea Rhenberg. She picked out Matilda Nilden in the box, but her effort was stopped by Keating as Sweden looked to add to their tally.
England were almost gifted an equaliser just before the half-hour mark though, when Swedish goalkeeper Serina Backmark dropped a deep cross from Jorja Fox and attempted to gather at the second time. Grace Clinton was quickly in with a header to steal the ball from Backmark and it was only when it bounced back off the bar and into the keeper’s hands that Sweden were let off.
That moment seemed to spur England on and Backmark who gave them further encouragement ten minutes before the break when Kendall’s ball into the area for Clinton bounced back off the onrushing keeper’s knee and into Clinton. The ball trickled towards goal and was edging over the line before it was desperately scrambled clear by Sophia Reidy.
England managed to stem Sweden’s attacks a little more after the break but they retained a threat from set-pieces, with Keating forced into another smart save to punch clear from a corner and then block Felicia Hogberg’s follow-up effort.
But it was England’s best chance that came from a set-piece in the 74th minute, when substitute Mia Ross was picked out free in the area by Freya Gregory’s free-kick, but the Charlton Athletic player headed over the bar.
Clinton then came agonisingly close to what would’ve been a fine goal, as she controlled a pass from Gregory on the edge of the area and turned her marker before seeing her shot flash inches wide of the post.
From there, Sweden managed to restrict England’s opportunities and hold on for the three points which puts them in a strong position to reach the semi-finals ahead of Sunday’s final group games.
Meanwhile, England will go into their final match against Germany knowing that a win there will be enough to secure their place in the last four.
But it was England’s best chance that came from a set-piece in the 74th minute, when substitute Mia Ross was picked out free in the area by Freya Gregory’s free-kick, but the Charlton Athletic player headed over the bar.
Clinton then came agonisingly close to what would’ve been a fine goal, as she controlled a pass from Gregory on the edge of the area and turned her marker before seeing her shot flash inches wide of the post.
From there, Sweden managed to restrict England’s opportunities and hold on for the three points which puts them in a strong position to reach the semi-finals ahead of Sunday’s final group games.
Meanwhile, England will go into their final match against Germany knowing that a win there will be enough to secure their place in the last four.
England: 1 Khiara Keating (Manchester City), 2 Jorja Fox (Chelsea), 4 Charlotte Wardlaw (Chelsea) (c), 5 Ruby Mace (Manchester City), 6 Tara Bourne (Manchester United), 7 Aggie Beever-Jones (Chelsea) 10 Grace Clinton (Everton), 12 Lucy Parry (Liverpool), 17 Lucia Kendall (Southampton), 18 Lucy Watson (Sheffield United) 19 Laura Blindkilde Brown (Aston Villa)
Substitutes: 16 Caitlin Smith (Clemson University) for Mace 36, 8 Maisie Symonds (Brighton and Hove Albion) for Wardlow 54, 11 Freya Gregory (Aston Villa) for Watson 54, 9 Emily Murphy (University of North Carolina) for Beever-Jones 69, 14 Mia Ross (Charlton Athletic) for Parry 69
Substitutes not used: 3 Anouk Denton (University of Louisville), 13 Natalia Negri (Unattached), 15 Neve Herron (Sunderland), 20 Olivia McLoughlin (Aston Villa)
Head coach: Gemma Davies
Substitutes: 16 Caitlin Smith (Clemson University) for Mace 36, 8 Maisie Symonds (Brighton and Hove Albion) for Wardlow 54, 11 Freya Gregory (Aston Villa) for Watson 54, 9 Emily Murphy (University of North Carolina) for Beever-Jones 69, 14 Mia Ross (Charlton Athletic) for Parry 69
Substitutes not used: 3 Anouk Denton (University of Louisville), 13 Natalia Negri (Unattached), 15 Neve Herron (Sunderland), 20 Olivia McLoughlin (Aston Villa)
Head coach: Gemma Davies
FIND A GIRLS' CLUB NEAR YOU AND PLAY