Penalty Heartache For Young Lionesses

   It was heartache for the England Women's U17's in the end as they lost their 3rd place play off match against Italy at Burton Albion.
   Having followed the women's U17 team all through the tournament it was only right I travel back over to Burton Albion for the 3rd time in 6 days to see if they could win their 3rd place play off game with Italy. Now this journey went alot more smoothly than the previous 2 as myself and the sat nav found away to go round Nottingham instead of through it. As I mentioned in my previous post there was still alot to play for the winner claiming a place at next years World Cup, to reach the last 4 in a major tournament is no small achievement in itself.
   At Telford in the opening game England had worked hard and were unlucky to concede defeat to Italy being 2 pretty evenly matched sides Italy's style of play suited England meant it would be a strongly fought contest with not many goals in it. Thus it turned out as the game ebbed and flowed from one end to the other without a great deal of clear chances being created. Italy were able to get more bodies in and around the box and for much of the 1st half striker Chloe Kelly was an isolated figure up front.
   1st half ending 0-0 England made a change bringing on Evie Clarke for Atlanta Primus which allowed Lucy Porter to better support Chloe Kelly England had a dominant spell and did score but much to the crowds dismay the flag was raised and it was ruled out. As the half wore on the team's were getting nervous not wanting to commit too many forward for fear of conceding so it ended 0-0 and went straight to penalties. I hate penalties.
    What do you do it is a lottery England had 2 saved as Italy took a 3-1 advantage, England pulled it back to 3-3 as Kirstie Levell saved 1 but Italy needed to score 1 more to claim victory and they did to leave England heartbroken. Congratulations to Italy who join the finalists Germany and Spain at next years World Cup.
    Below is a small tribute to our England U17's of whom I'm sure we will be hearing alot about in the future...

 
  There was was further penalty heartache in the Final itself later that day as England's opponent at Thursday's semi-final were beaten by Germany in another shoot out. This one somewhat harsher than England's defeat as Spain had dominated the final for 75mins taking the lead early on and creating a few clear cut chances to bury the game. They didn't however and the German's hung in there a shot turning into a cross as the player slipped was slotted home with minutes to spare and leave Spain rattled. Very tough on the Spainards they have played some great football and will be a serious contender come the World Cup and perhaps Spain will soon become a more serious force at senior level they certainly will if their youth players are anything to go by but then so will many of the other nations who took part in this tournament. That being said Germany are the champions I congratulate them.
    This has been a great tournament a good showcase of female footballing talent from all the nations I have seen play and so I have been told aswell about the teams I didn't see play. The skill level has been of a high standard the team work first rate and the experience I'm sure of huge benefit to all the players going forwards in their careers a young group who I will follow with interest.