Spain extend perfect start, Czechs win
Sunday, November 20, 2011
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Verónica Boquete struck twice as Spain moved back to the top of qualifying Group 2 with a 4-0 victory in Romania, and there were wins elsewhere for the Czech Republic and Wales.
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Spain triumphed 4-0 in Romania to make it four wins from four and return to the top of UEFA Women's EURO 2013 qualifying Group 2, on a day that also featured victories for the Czech Republic and Wales.
Germany made a stunning statement of intent by seeing off Kazakhstan in a national record 17-0 success during Saturday's games, but Spain took themselves three points clear in the section – having played one game more – thanks to a convincing win in Buftea. Romania began in conservative fashion and were able to hold their opponents at bay until Spain's quality told three minutes before half-time, Sonia scoring from the edge of the area.
The visitors then doubled their lead when Verónica Boquete headed in shortly after the break from an Adriana cross, and she registered again with another header on 73 minutes. Adriana completed the scoring with six minutes to go as Spain gave themselves a timely boost ahead of their crunch home meeting with Germany in Motril on Thursday. Romania visit Turkey the day before that game.
In Group 7, the Czech Republic reclaimed second spot from Austria courtesy of an emphatic 5-0 success against point-less Armenia. Irena Martínková showed them the way inside three minutes and Jana Sedláčková added a second moments later, before Lucie Martínková made it 3-0 with just 11 minutes gone. Making great use of their pace and power, the hosts went on to seal the win as Veronika Hoferková struck 20 minutes from time and substitute Adéla Pivoňková notched an added-time penalty.
Vladimír Hruška's charges now lie two points behind group leaders Denmark, who welcome Armenia on Wednesday. The Czech Republic's next outing will be away against Portugal on 31 March, four days before they entertain Denmark.
In Group 4, Wales celebrated their first victory of the campaign by prevailing 2-0 at bottom side Israel. Helen Lander fired an eighth-minute opener in Nes-Ziona and Sophie Ingle wrapped things up with two minutes left to leave Wales third in the section, eight points behind leaders France and two shy of the Republic of Ireland. Wales's next assignment will be a trip to face France on 4 April, four days after Les Bleues host unbeaten Scotland.
