Ten emerging talents from Women's U19 finals
Sunday, September 1, 2013
Article summary
UEFA.com's reporters pick out ten players who shone at the 2013 UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship, with finalists France and England well represented.
Article top media content
Article body
The 2013 UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship in south-west Wales produced some exceptional individual performances. Here, UEFA.com's team of reporters make their pick of the emerging talents.
Elizabeth Durack (England)
"A very consistent performer," according to her captain Sherry McCue, Everton LFC goalkeeper Durack set the bar high with a penalty save in the opening-day stalemate against France and never wavered. A commanding presence and excellent shot-stopper – she pulled off a remarkable save to tip Finland winger Iina Salmi's effort against the bar in the semis – the Australian-born custodian stopper only arrived in England, her mother's homeland, in January. Unbeaten until the final, she looks right at home.
Vera Varis (Finland)
The FC Honka Espoo keeper was inconsolable after the 4-0 defeat by England but the fact that Finland were there in the first place was largely down to her. She was majestic against Norway and Germany, a colossus between the posts with the agility of a gymnast. Of the 17 shots on target she faced in those two Group B games, just one got through and even the semi loss could have been worse but for Varis.
Griedge M'Bock Bathy (France)
"Our captain, our best player, our leader," in the words of France goalkeeper Solène Durand. M'Bock Bathy was outstanding all tournament, a reassuring presence at the heart of the back line – physical and strong out of possession, comfortable when in it. The EA Guingamp player was lauded by her coach Gilles Eyquem too after Les Bleuettes were forced to go into the final without her following an unfortunate red card against Germany in the last four.
Paige Williams (England)
Everton defender Williams was a cornerstone of England's advance. Strong at the back, she was also a formidable figure going forward, foraging up either wing and fizzing passes and set pieces with an assured left foot. Her penalty conversions against Denmark and Finland attested to her quality. "We can't believe we're here," she said about reaching the Llanelli final, "it's just mad." She may well get used to such success.
Aminata Diallo (France)
A diminutive dynamo in front of the French back four, Diallo made up for her lack of stature with her ability to read the game, anticipating opposition moves. Time and again she cut off supply lines in a position where a player of less technical ability might have been exposed. The Arras FCF midfielder was brilliant at turning out of tackles and always seemed to choose the right pass. Her judgement was also spot on when she popped up to head in France's second goal of the final.
Guro Reiten (Norway)
Quick, intelligent and blessed with a fine left foot, the Norway captain's vision, set-piece ability and leadership made her a driving force in a spirited side. After the Norwegians were humbled 5-0 by Germany in their opening fixture, the SK Trondheims-Ørn midfielder's promptings inspired a much-improved display in an unfortunate 1-0 loss to Finland, before Jarl Torske's charges signed off with a 5-0 dismantling of title holders Sweden.
Lina Magull (Germany)
Insiders suggested that the VfL Wolfsburg playmaker was a little way off her best in south-west Wales, but if this was a below-par Magull it speaks volumes about how much potential the powerful, visionary midfielder must possess. The Germany captain looked the complete package, as comfortable breaking up opponents' attacks as orchestrating those of her own team.
Sandie Toletti (France)
A wonderfully skilful No10 equally adept at holding the ball up and running at rivals at speed, Toletti was all technical ability and classy touches. The Montpellier Hérault SC playmaker scored three goals including a cracker from distance against Wales, which elicited the distinctive celebratory scream for which she is famous, and the deflected extra-time header that broke England's resistance in the final.
Nikita Parris (England)
The force behind England's resurrection during qualifying, the Everton forward caught the eye in south-west Wales with a series of powerful displays. Allying pace and power with clever positional play, she found the net against Wales and Denmark before hassling Finland to the point of submission in the last four. The name Nikita comes from the Greek for victory and thanks to their No9, England reached their fourth final in seven years.
Pauline Bremer (Germany)
She only turned 17 in April but Bremer relished the challenge of leading the Germany line. The No9 contributed six of the four-time European champions' nine goals to finish as the tournament's leading scorer. The 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam attacker netted both with her head and with her feet – and even when France had just about kept her at bay in the semi-finals, she still converted coolly from the spot. It was too little, too late, however.
Contributions from UEFA.com's on-site team of Nick Aitken, John Atkin, Sébastien Blanchard and Steffen Potter