Iceland excel to win in England

England 0-2 Iceland
Iceland produced a determined display to secure victory against fellow UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2009™ finalists England in Colchester.

Run ends
Having not defeated England in seven previous meetings, Iceland looked to set that right when Hólmfrídur Magnúsdóttir gave them the lead midway through the first half. England pushed hard to level the scores after that blow but saw their year-long nine-game unbeaten run end following Margrét Lára Vidarsdóttir's clincher.

England changes
With only this game and Wednesday's meeting with Denmark in Swindon remaining ahead of their finals opener against Italy in Finland on 25 August, England manager Hope Powell made nine changes from the side that started the 3-0 defeat of Norway in April. Iceland had a more familiar lineup and Vidarsdóttir, the top scorer in qualifying, went close twice on ten minutes, having one effort deflected wide and another from distance tipped away by Siobhan Chamberlain.

Magnúsdóttir strikes
At the other end, Jessica Clarke unleashed a shot that strayed off target in windy conditions, but although England had most of the possession, Laura Bassett had to be alert with a saving tackle to once again deny Vidarsdóttir. There was nothing she could do on 25 minutes, though, Magnúsdóttir poking the ball past the advancing Chamberlain after being sent clear courtesy of a smooth passing move. In response, England captain Faye White came close to equalising before the break, her header from Rachel Yankey's corner cleared off the line by Dóra María Lárusdóttir.

Saves
England started the second half in purposeful fashion but again Iceland threatened, Vidarsdóttir's long-range shot palmed over by substitute keeper Carly Telford and the striker turning an Ólína Gudbjörg Vidarsdóttir centre just wide. Eniola Aluko continued to harry the Iceland defence, pouncing on a slip and making Thóra Björg Helgadóttir save, while Powell sent on midfielder Rachel Williams, right-back Dania Susi and striker Gemma Davison for their debuts, but to the disappointment of the 4,170 crowd there was to be no equaliser. Instead, Vidarsdóttir slid in Iceland's second with nine minutes left. Iceland remain in England to face Denmark in Staines on Sunday.

Eyjólfsson pleased
Iceland coach Siggi Eyjólfsson told uefa.com: "I thought we played well, I was pleased with the match. We were well organised defensively and managed to punish them two times, we created chances. England had more possession but overall I am really pleased with the performance of my team." Powell, who will name her finals squad on 4 August, said: "We would have liked to have won but there were a lot of new faces. The quality of passes let us down, we were a bit impatient and lost our way at times but hopefully we'll learn from it. Nobody has been picked, tonight was important to have a good look at everyone."

England: Chamberlain (Telford, 46); Unitt, White, Bassett, Corston (Susi, 65); Yankey, Buet, J Scott (R Williams, 65), Westwood, Clarke (Davison 79); Aluko.

Iceland: Helgadóttir; Sigurdardóttir, K Jónsdóttir, G Gunnarsdóttir, O Vidarsdóttir; Lárusdóttir (E Arnardóttir 83), Gardarsdóttir, Stefánsdóttir (Ómarsdóttir 69), S Gunnarsdóttir, Magnúsdóttir; M Vidarsdóttir.