Germany and Spain in the goals, Finland ahead
Thursday, April 5, 2012
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Célia Okoyino da Mbabi took her tally to eight in two games and María Paz managed a record-breaking haul as Germany and Spain both won while Finland defeated Slovakia again.
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Célia Okoyino da Mbabi continued her fine form with four goals as holders Germany beat Switzerland, but her efforts were eclipsed in Group 2 by María Paz's record return of seven as Spain overwhelmed Kazakhstan while Finland beat Slovakia again to further boost their UEFA Women's EURO 2013 qualifying hopes.
Da Mbabi struck four for the second successive UEFA Women's EURO 2013 outing, taking her tally to 14 goals in her last four international appearances and 13 in qualifying, as Germany swept aside Switzerland 6-0 in Aarau to follow up Saturday's crucial 5-0 defeat of Spain, who overcame Kazakhstan 13-0 with Paz managing a competition record seven goals.
With three games left Germany lead Spain by three points and have a head-to-head advantage. Spain, though, are targetting automatic qualification as best runners-up but will need a good result in Switzerland on 16 June, while Germany welcome Romania on 31 May.
Finland maintained their advantage in Group 5 as after their last-gasp 1-0 win in Slovakia on Saturday beat the same team 2-0 in Vantaa, Emmi Alanen's 24th-minutes strike added to at the death by Marianna Tolvanen. Ukraine beat Estonia 5-0 with a Daryna Apanaschenko hat-trick and they, Belarus and Slovakia (who have played a game more) are all three points behind unbeaten Finland. Ukraine welcome Finland on 16 June in the first meeting of the top two seeds while Belarus visit Estonia.
The Netherlands are back to five points clear of 2009 runners-up England in Group 6, having played a game more, after defeating Slovenia 3-1, and will clinch qualification with a win against their main rivals in Salford on 17 June.
In Group 4, Scotland beat the Republic of Ireland 2-1, who led early through Denise O'Sullivan and although Kim Little missed a penalty, Rhonda Jones levelled with four minutes left and substitute Christie Murray looped a winner seconds later. Scotland are now a point ahead of Ireland in second and are the only side that can catch France, though are 11 points adrift with four fixtures left.
Laura Feiersinger's 85th-minute strike earned Austria a 1-0 win at home to Portugal to move to within two points of Group 7 leaders Denmark and three ahead of the Czech Republic, though both have a game in hand. Austria's visit to the Czech Republic on 16 June will now be key to their play-off ambitions.
