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Group stages of the Women’s Euro Winners end with hard-fought games and stunning golazos
As the analysis rages on in the houses, bars and hotel rooms of Nazaré, and defeated teams make plans to return home, it’s time to reflect on the day’s action…
Group A
2017 third place finishers Higicontrol Melilla maintained a perfect run to seal a new win that keeps them atop the table in Group C, at the same time it closes the door to the Round of 16 for Vetlanda United.
The Spanish side commanded the game throughout, scoring early in the first period to progressively increase their advantage to reach 5-0.
Vetlanda’s shy reaction with Lindstrom’s 1-5 was too little too late to change the course of things and Higicontrol will be one of the teams seeded in the next round of the competition.
In the other game of the group, Lady Grembach upset hosts Sporting Clube Portugal to secure three more points that have them second in the group. After a slow start, the Poles went 2-0 up, which had the Portuguese side trailing for the rest of the game. Despite them cutting the distance on three occasions, their reaction just fell one goal short, and the points remained in Grembach’s hands.
Group B
After having edged reigning queens Havana Shots yesterday, Lokrians Beach Club seemed determined to snatch a fresh win today, against Spanish Madrid CFF. Despite having to play without Marino, their most prolific striker, the Transalpines were confident, and stood firm in the strike exchange that got things 4-3, Madrid CFF.
Things slowed down in the second leg, with the Italian side balancing the score and getting things 4 apiece, ready for the final assault in the third. One more goal would make the difference in the last minutes, giving Lokrians the key to next round.
Instead, reigning queens Havana Shots Aargau were seemingly going to make the most of Genovesi’s hit in today’s last match. But with five minutes to go, a stunning volley by Rebecca Gabriel balanced things back and spurred the German reaction. Three more goals in the remaining period ended up giving the Berliners a reputation-enhancing win.
Group C
Portsmouth kept confirming their stunning form today, as they ran past HTC Zwolle and progressed onto next round as the best team in the group. After a balanced first stage, Pompey got hold of the game and produced timely attacks that significantly harmed HTC Zwolle’s defensive line. Hillier, Clark and James were on hand again for the Brits, who become the highest scoring team in the competition.
Despite losing today, HTC Zwolle are through, as they had already secured their ticket as the runners-up of the group.
Cáceres Femenino could finally savour victory in their last group-stage game against Estonian side Nomme Kalju. The opening 2-0 in the first period decided the course of the game, as the young Estonian side couldn’t find the way to counteract.
After the first stage ended 2-1 to Cáceres, the Spaniards geared up to widen their advantage to 4-1, thus securing their place in the Round of 16 and ending the Estonian expectations to progress.
Group D
A thrilling game between AIS Playas de San Javier and ASD Lady Terracina closed the group stage in Group D. The Italian side made up for their defeat in the opening day of the competition and added another win to their tally, narrowly besting the Spanish side in a game in which Colodetti’s last hit made the difference for the Terracinese.
The final combination of results, in spite of AIS Playas de San Javier’s defeat today, keep the Spaniards on top of the table, with ASD Lady Terracina through as second, and CSO Amneville, with equal an six points, coming in third.
Earlier in the day, CSO Amneville made sure they kept all their options alive by overpowering Dutch Beach Soccer DTS Ede. The Netherlanders resisted for most of the game, counteracted the French advantages on two occasions but eventually found themselves unable to react after CSO Amneville scored two more goals.
Group E
KU AZS UAM Poznan finally bagged their first points in the competition, following a narrow 2-1 win over Grand Motte Pyramide. After a goalless first period, Falbjorska and Fajac Falborska pushed the Poles ahead, giving them a 2-goal safety cushion.
Grand Motte Pyramide pulled one back towards the end of the game, cutting the distance in half. Their reaction went no further, though, and KU AZS UAM Poznan escaped with an all-important win, which will allow them stay in the competition and advance to the Round of 16.
In the other game in the group, Zvezda and Roses Platja clashed in search of becoming the winners of the group, following their two previous triumphs in the competition. The Russian side seemed to get things pretty much under control, managing a 2-0 advantage in the first period that got them comfortably ahead.
But Roses reacted just as the second period began, going on to make things two apiece with still one minute to go in the period. That same minute, though, would be enough for Zaitseva to get her team ahead once again.
The 2016 third place finishers would resist Roses’ attempts for most of the last stage, but Pascu found the crack in their defensive line to send the game into extra time. The score would not move during the additional three minutes, and the penalty shootout became the only way out. From the spot, the Russians proved sharper shooters, firing home all their attempts and snatching the last point at stake.
Click here to see results and fixtures in full
