Belgium is the Champion!
Women
Sweden vs.Italy, 4-0
It was the first surprise of the day! Sweden has been thrashed by the Portuguese women, yesterday afternoon, but today they got their second victory, beating Italy (0-4) who came unbeaten from the previous round. In an well played game, the Italians were superior to the Scandinavian opponents, but the girls from the North toke advantage scoring better and defeating the transalpines. It was the triumph of sublety against the superior Italian ball possession.
Turkey vs.Portugal, 4-1
The tactical confusion was the main reason for this defeat against the Turkish team. On the 15th minute Ângela Lima missed with the goal completely open. However the women from Anatolia were the first to score. Cláudia Fidalgo gave acertain hope but the Portuguese missed continuous passes and revealed some restlessness.The Turkish young team made good use of that and didn’t miss ahead the Bárbara Almeida goal. The goalkeeper played well and avoied a worse thrashing.
Belgium vs. Wales, 4-2
It was an uneasy Belgian match. The athletes commanded by Phil Gooderham were winning but in the second half, in two penalty corners, Celine Glosset scored the turn on the scoreboard and gave the title to Belgium.
Sweden vs. Croatia, 3-1
It was a cruel defeat to the Croatians. They were almost always on top. The Nordic girls were implacable to the opponent’s fragile defense. After suffering a goal they explored the open spaces and toke advantage of that. Attacking, the three-coloured unsettled the defense and that was the cause of the defeat.
Italy vs.Portugal, 4-2
The hall of São Pedro da Cova was full again for the last match of the competition. Portugal and Italy were face to face. The Transalpine girls won this difficult contest solved in little circumstances. The Italian scored the first of the match and Anna Lindeberg drawed the scoreboard. It was expected a good challenge. Meanwhile the “squadra azzurra” got in advantage again. Happy with the goal, they kept winning three more times but the Portuguese scored the second goal. Near the end the ball collided with the wood of the transalpine goal but the victory went to Italy.
Armindo de Vasconcelos / César Marques (O Blogue do Lousada)
