Danilova proves unstoppable

By Kevin Ashby in Heviz

Elena Danilova moved into an unassailable position at the top of the goalscorers' chart by taking her UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship tally to eight with a hat-trick in Russia's 3-1 semi-final win against Germany.

Goal streak
Like the rest of her team-mates, Danilova had a disappointing opening match against France as Russia crumbled to a 4-0 defeat. The livewire No9 then scored both goals in the crucial 2-1 victory against England and followed them up with consecutive trebles against Scotland and Germany.

Unpredictability
France's goals in Hungary have been shared between six players, meaning leading scorers Elodie Thomis and Marie-Pierre Castera have both found the net on two occasions only. Even allowing for Russian unpredictability, six goals for either in Sunday's final appears unlikely in the extreme.

Bürki strike
Vanessa Bürki is in second spot after taking her total to five with the decider in Switzerland's 2-1 FIFA U-20 Women's World Championship play-off success against England, for whom Eniola Aluko top-scored with four.

Consolation
Finland's Linda Sällström and Celia Okoyino Da Mbabi exited the competition on four goals apiece following semi-final defeats last night, although the Germany midfielder had the honour of registering in all four of Germany's games.

2004/05 UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship
top scorers (after semi-finals)