Twins give Germany the title

Twins Isabel and Monique Kerschowski were the goalscoring heroes as Germany defeated France to claim the UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship, the fourth time they have won the nine-season-old continental youth title.

Kerschowski double
Coach Maren Meinert said when both Kerschowskis registered in the 4-0 semi-final win here against holders Russia that it was desirable that each were successful "because otherwise there is trouble". Isabel had already set France on the way to a third final defeat in five years with goals early in each half, and Monique joined her on the scoresheet 15 minutes from time.

Twins reunited
Having emerged from the bench to score within five minutes on Wednesday, Monique Kerschowski now joined Isabel in the Germany starting attack. France made two changes from their 1-0 victory against Denmark with right-back Mélodie Coudray in and Eugénie Le Sommer supporting forward Marie Laure Delie, one of four players who also began their final defeat last year by Russia.

Welcome thunderstorm
The previously sweltering heat was tempered by a brief afternoon thunderstorm in Berne and the pleasantly warm and breezy conditions were conducive to good football. With the wind behind them early on France were having the better of the initial skirmishes, Jessica Houara breaking down the right on seven minutes and crossing to Delie, who shot over.

Germany ahead
Germany's first chance came five minutes later as Fatime Bajramaj won the ball and saw her shot deflected wide. But the resultant corner came to Juliane Maier on the edge of the box and the winger cleverly flicked the ball to Isabel Kerschowski, who produced some fine acrobatics for a volley that give French goalkeeper Véronique Pons no chance.

Intelligent Pons
France had not been behind in this competition since the 2005 final, when they twice equalised before losing on penalties. They certainly are not a team to be disheartened and had the slightest of edges for the rest of the half. Crosses from both wings were worrying Germany and on 35 minutes Jessica Houara shot not far wide from distance. At the other end German captain Nadine Kessler almost sent the forever marauding Monique Kerschowski clear but not for the first time Pons had the presence of mind to advance and intercept.

Pons despair
Hélène Plu was brought on to partner Delie for the second half. However Germany were first to threaten as Maier's cross from deep found Isabel Kerschowski but again Pons snuffed out the danger. But Pons was to pay for advancing roughly 30 metres soon after as Isabel Kerschowski was this time set running by Kessler. The forward rounded the exposed goalkeeper and her shot eventually rolled in.

Hat-trick chance
Now Monique Kerschowski had to emulate her sister and an angled effort was not far wide. On 65 minutes it seemed the No9 was on course for a hat-trick but although she skipped past Pons, she hit the post. At the other end Delie, who had scored in France's four previous finals games in Switzerland, was still trying and so nearly got to a dangerous Houara cross. Left-back Elodie Cordier then wriggled through the German defence but Romina Holz blocked the shot. But with a quarter of an hour left France's hopes disappeared when Monique Kerschowski's drive deflected in to her evident delight. As the minutes ticked away heavy rain started to fall in the Swiss capital; it did not dampen the German celebrations.

Player of the match: Isabel Kerschowski (Germany)