Powell: England women improving

Powell: England women improving
(PA) Thursday 10 September 2009
Print
Email my friend
Share

England coach Hope Powell believes her side will taste future success despite a heavy loss to all-conquering Germany in the UEFA EURO 2009 final tonight.

England were ultimately no match for the much-fancied Germans as, after a spirited early effort, they went down 6-2 in a compelling encounter in Helsinki. Powell's side twice halved two-goal deficits through Karen Carney and Kelly Smith but world champions Germany could not be stopped as they powered to a fifth successive European title with a strong finish.

"The scoreline sounds like a walloping but I don't think it was," Powell said. "We started very brightly and we still believed we were in it at 3-2. We still went out to win the game, even though we were 6-2 down. We still wanted to attack and we have to applaud that.
They kept the ball very well and we made a few unforced errors that put us on the back foot and made it difficult. We played well in patches but they moved the ball very quickly and that is a lesson for us.
England women's coach Hope Powell after the loss to Germany

"I truly believe they feel they were in a game tonight," she went on. "We're happy with what we have achieved in reaching the final but not satisfied. I think this will make the girls hungrier next time and one day it will be our day."

Inka Grings, who finished as the tournament's top goalscorer with six, and veteran Birgit Prinz, to take her record international tally to 125, both struck twice for the holders. Melanie Behringer and Kim Kulig were also on target for the mighty Germans, who have not been beaten in tournament football since 1999.

"I think you have to give the Germans some credit, they were very clinical," Powell added. "They kept the ball very well and we made a few unforced errors that put us on the back foot and made it difficult. We played well in patches but they moved the ball very quickly and that is a lesson for us.

Germany coach Silvia Neid admitted England had made life tough before her side eventually secured their seventh EURO title in eight attempts.

"I wouldn't have imagined the final would have eight goals," Neid said. "Two very good teams made it a really good final and the game went up and down. I thought England could have got back into the game, even at 4-2 down. I only felt confident at 5-2 when England started to look tired and we were still enthusiastic."

Player of the match Grings, who has now won the golden boot in two successive EURO finals, added: "I am very happy with the awards but don't forget the team. With team-mates like this you will always look good and it is just a beautiful night."
Add your comment
12345
Rating: 5.0

* User comments »

Volkmar
13/09/2009 at 16:55
Volkmar (USA)
I was a bit too hasty with my remarks and take my comment back. I thought this was going to be the only article on this Euro championship game, but another article came out the following day which did focus on the champions.
silverfern10
11/09/2009 at 06:22
silverfern10 (Germany)
Volkmar you are so right, the German women did it very well and this must be the real story 6:2 is great and they are a absolutly fantastic team with lot of power! GRATULATIONS from New Zealand, GOOD JOB GERMANY!
Volkmar
11/09/2009 at 04:58
Volkmar (USA)
This article COMPLETELY baffles me! The German women have now won 5 CONSECUTIVE EURO'S, winning 26 consecutive matches at the Euro's since 1993, and have also now beaten the English 19 consecutive times. Furthermore, the German women also now won 7 of the last 8 Euro's. But the headline is "Powell: England Women Improving"?!?! You MUST be kidding me! Where else in the soccer world has a feat like winning 5 consecutive Euro's been equaled or even approached? That's like an NFL team winning 5 straight Superbowls, and 7 of the last 8, but the headline and focus of the ensuing article is about the losing side's coach. Whoever wrote this thing is either out of touch with reality, or is a closet England fan. Well done on reaching the final, England. But the real story by a LONG SHOT is the German Women. Get it right next time please.
nannumajsi
11/09/2009 at 03:33
nannumajsi (Malta)
In their five games up to the final Germany had scored 1,2,3,4 & 5 goals. Pre-final I thought "Could they manage six in this game?" and they did.
AmigoDaOnsa
10/09/2009 at 21:28
AmigoDaOnsa (Brazil)
Congratulations to England for good performance in this competition.
Reggaeboy99
10/09/2009 at 21:25
Reggaeboy99 (Jamaica)
As expected.The germans were simply too good.
ljc1979
10/09/2009 at 20:56
ljc1979 (England)
Unlucky Ladies :( But gotta give credit to Germany, they were the better team! As for there second goal - What a thunderbolt!Was the best goal i've seen in Woman's Footie! More games should be played on TV!