Laura lays victory foundations
Wednesday, March 26, 2003
Article summary
Netherlands 0-1 Spain
Laura del Rio scored the only goal as Spain won their opening Group 2 game.
Article body
Laura del Rio scored the only goal as Spain got off to a winning start against the Netherlands in UEFA European Women's Championship Group 2.
Opening match
The match was the first of the qualifying competition to reach the 2005 final tournament, which will be played in England, and a crowd in excess of 5,000 was in attendance. However, the home support did not have too much to celebrate as the two sides cancelled each other out from the start with defences dominant.
Counterattacking play
Play opened up after half-time as the Dutch pressed forward in search of an opening goal. They paid for their adventure, though, as Spain launched a counterattack which resulted in Laura scoring in the 72nd minute. Forced to push forward for an equaliser, the Netherlands could have fallen further behind if Spain's finishing was more precise.
Next games
The next game in the section pits Norway against Belgium in Kristiansand on 11 May, four days before the Dutch are in action at the Idrettsparken stadium in the Norwegian town of Mandal. Spain's next game is also in Norway, on 16 November.
