Congrats to Germany

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Germany Women claimed a fourth successive European Championship title, beating Norway in a entertaining Euro 2005 final at Ewood Park.
Germany established an early two-goal lead through Anja Mittag's close-range finish and Renate Lingor's lob.

Norway rallied when Stine Frantzen fed Dagny Mellgren, who flicked the ball past German keeper Silke Rottenberg.

Germany went 3-1 ahead when Birgit Prinz's shot deceived Bente Nordby after hitting Ane Stangeland.

The win provided an appropriate parting gift for Germany's coach Tina Theune-Meyer, who is stepping down as the team's coach.

Germany deserved their win, with their second goal - a visionary pass allied to a slick finish - encapsulating the strengths of Theune Meyer's side.

Given Germany's early dominance it was no surprise they established that early two-goal lead.

As early as the fourth minute Norway's left-back Gunhild Folstad had had to help out her defence by rushing across to slide in and tackle Prinz as Germany's captain beared down on goal.

Prinz was denied by more Norwegian heroics when Nordby superbly tipped over the bar her rising volley.

The reprieve proved shortlived as from the corner Anja Mittag scooped home Inka Grings' header.

Germany were soon back on the attack and Folstad again came to her side's rescue when she blocked Mittag's close-range shot.

Norway were struggling to contain Germany and the holders pushed home their advantage with a cleverly-crafted goal.

Britta Carlson's wonderful pass picked out Lingor and the Germany midfielder calmly lobbed the stranded Nordby.

Mellgren had caused Germany's defence some problems on the right and just before the interval the Norway forward scored to drag Bjarne Berntsen's side back into the game.

Frantzen produced a pass to match Carlson's earlier through ball and Mellgren slid a shot past Rottenberg.

Norway finished the half strongly, with a goal from Frantzen narrowly ruled out for offside and Rottenberg having to push away Solveig Gulbrandsen's shot.

Soon after the restart Rottenberg had to make another fine save pushing away Lise Klaveness' rising shot.

Norway's revival abruptly came to a halt when Prinz's long-range shot took a huge deflection off Stangeland to deceive Nordby.

Late on the outstanding Nordby thwarted Prinz, turning round the post a low shot from the Germany forward.

In stoppage time Nordby made another brave save to thwart Conny Pohlers.

Would have been nice if a "new" team were to win it but Germany looked the best team throughout, so fair credit to them. They looked like they had the composure and strength above all the other teams and their workrate was fantastic. Congratulations to them.

Would it have been different for Norway if that goal hadn't been called offside....? I expect Germany would still have won it, but I'm sure Norway are very dissapointed at that decision... Even so it was good to see that other teams are edging closer to being Germany's standard. The more teams that are competing fpr the trophy the better.

An excellent tournement in which some good football has been played, hopefully it can continue to improve and this tournement will give it renewed and increasing popularity in Britain.

I would like to see Womens football get better and better in Europe. It seems that Asia and the Americas are more serious about Womens football. To me football is football Women Men it does not matter I just love football and from youth to international I can watch football any minute of the day. Who knows England may win a World Cup beofre the men do.

Robbie do you think womens football in the UK will ever be as big as it is in China and the Americas?

I think everyone involved in football here would like to see that as well... although England winning a world cup is going a bit toooo far

So far, so good. The amount it has been improving and the uptake and interest surges in it have been great.

but...

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Robbie do you think womens football in the UK will ever be as big as it is in China and the Americas?

.... quite frankly, no. There's never been a tradition of women's contact sports here. Elsewhere, apparently, there isn't the "macho" aura surrounding football/soccer and so there is no denial or dismissal or disencouragement of women playing it. There has been and to some extent still is that here.

The FA just made these feelings against women's football here stronger by "banning" it until I think it was 71.

The places where women's football is most popular are the places where these barriers don't have to be overcome.

I do think that very good standards are going to be reached in the future in the UK, domestically and internationally. It's not going to happen overnight, but I think it will improve. Whether it will ever surpass the standards elsewhere, or whether the attitude towards it will improve with this, though, I don't know.

Hopefully the English FA will have got annoyed at Germany beating them to yet another trophy, to make it worse on their own soil, and put some investment in to stop it happening again..!!! TalkFootball/harhar.gif

"footballs coming home...."

like you said hopefully. I see your point and agree that it will never be as big here either. But is it because mens football is so dominating here? I mean mens football is dominant in Latin America yet the Women still stand to be competitive and the men are more macho than most.

I don't think it is quite becasue "mens football is so dominating" -- men's tennis, athletics, swimming is 'big', yet women's also. There's obviously room for both in many sports. It is more to do with the fooballing culture around it, and the take-up of it as a popular recreational activity for girls and women.

I started a co ed youth league in Honduras back in the early 90's, when I use to work in the Tobacco industries I would frequent central america and every year I brought new balls kits and boots. Now the league is still moving with the backing of the local government.

I understand what you are saying but today my daughter is playing football So I am hoping England can get it togeather my daughter is tough in the middle of the defense.