Sunday 13 October 2013

Star Quality in the U17 Elite Tournament

Yesterday Northern Ireland held the first of 6 games in the Elite Round Group 4 European Championship (U17 women).  I went along to Solitude in Belfast to watch the 2pm game which was between the current World Champions (France) and the current European Champions (Poland).

It was a great experience to have the chance to watch two very talented sides with future stars in the making.  It took 26 minutes before one of them could break the deadlock and that came from a goal from Marine Julian for the World Champions.  Until then the game had been quite even with both sides playing very good football.

France began to assert a physical edge to their play on the pitch, resulting in a goal in the 32nd minute, Anissa Lahmari allowing les bleues to take a 2-0 lead into the break.

The second half really showed France’s strength and dominance on the pitch.  They looked powerful and positive.  Poland kept at it though but were unable to find the back of the net.  Due to a couple of injuries there was 4 minutes of added on time in the second half and with one minute left to go, substitute Manon Uffen made it 3-0 to France.

Northern Ireland played Sweden last night but unfortunately I was unable to attend this game.  Sweden had 19 shots at goal during the match but it ended 2-0 to Sweden with both goals coming from the number 17, Rebecka Blomqvist in the 28th and 56th minutes. 


The next games are being played on Monday with Poland v Sweden at 2pm at Ballymena Showgrounds and France v Northern Ireland being held at Stangmore Park, Dungannon at 7pm

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