Timely Bovbjerg brings Denmark opening win

Christina Bovbjerg's added-time winner ensured that Denmark overcame a resilient Romania and got off to the perfect start in UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship Group A.

Despite Denmark's domination, Mirel Albon's side looked to have weathered the storm and earned an unlikely point. But two minutes into added time Bovbjerg followed up her own saved effort to give her side a deserved win and three more points against hosts Turkey on Friday would take Denmark through a game early.

It was a surprisingly slender margin of victory, especially based on Denmark's first-half display – their pace and possession seemed to signal a straightforward contest. However Julie Jensen's miss after being picked out perfectly inside the box on eight minutes was a sign of things to come.

Not taking chances almost cost them dear as a counterattacking Romania nearly punished them ten minutes later. Denmark keeper Maria Christensen blocked an effort from impressive attacking midfielder Alexandra Lunca after the Romanian's incisive solo run from the left flank. 

The half's biggest chance fell Denmark's way. Pernille Madsen's brilliant pass put Karoline Lykkebo Nielsen one-on-one with Romania keeper Andrea Părăluţă, but she put her shot past the far post.

Clear-cut opportunities were few and far between for much of a subdued second period as the teams tired, and when Carola Schneider missed the target from Bovbjerg's neat headed pass with four minutes left on the clock, it appeared as though it would not be Denmark's day. 

But lady luck arrived with Denmark's last throw of the dice. Bovbjerg collected a forward pass and with her first shot forced the Romanian stopper into a good save and, after the ball fortuitously broke back into her path, she provided the knockout blow with her second.