France clinch Cyprus Women's Cup

France further cemented their world-class status by beating Canada 2-0 to win the Cyprus Women's Cup in Larnaca.

Having overcome Switzerland 3-0, Finland 2-1 and England 3-0 to reach the final for the first time, France then ended Canada's two-year reign as holders with goals from Marie-Laure Delie and Louisa Necib. Les Bleues have now won 12 straight games since losing the FIFA Women's World Cup third-place play-off to Sweden and look strong contenders for the Olympics as well as leading their UEFA Women's EURO 2013 qualifying group.

Facing a Canada side who defeated the Scotland, Italy and the Netherlands, Delie gave France the lead on 31 minutes, breaking free before beating Erin McLeod. On the hour Sonia Bompastor was fouled in the box and Olympique Lyonnais club-mate Necib converted the penalty.

Italy took third place, coming from behind at the break to beat England 3-1 courtesy of goals from Patrizia Panico, Pamela Conti and Melania Gabbiadini. England's strike had been from Jade Moore, who made her debut earlier in the tournament, while Fara Williams and Casey Stoney reached 100 caps.

Finland missed out on fifth place after a 7-6 penalty shoot-out loss to South Korea following a 1-1 draw, but the Netherlands claimed seventh position, beating New Zealand 4-2 on spot kicks having finished 1-1. Scotland defeated South Africa 2-0 for ninth spot and Switzerland came 11th, overcoming Northern Ireland 5-0 for their first victory under new coach Martina Voss.

The eighth European sides involved resume their UEFA Women's EURO 2013 qualifying bids over the next two months, including the meeting of France and Scotland on 31 March with Les Bleues aiming to increase their stranglehold on Group 4.