Norway and England bow out with draw

• Germany's win against Spain means both teams out whatever happened
• Norway hit woodwork twice in lively first half
• England pick up first Group B point following losses to Germany and Spain
• Norway and England begin 2015/16 campaign in September's qualifying round
• Semi-final lineup: France v Spain, Germany v Sweden (Friday)

The WU19 EURO dream is over for Norway and England as the pair bowed out with an eventful goalless draw in Ramla.

Germany's victory over Spain ultimately made this result irrelevant, but both sides began the game with real hope of advancing and there was a litany of chances at both ends in a frenetic first half. The relentless pace eased after the restart, and slowly the life drained from campaigns that have brought positives but ultimately end early.

The opening 25 minutes was full-blooded. The tone was set early as right-back Eloise Wilson lost possession and Cecilie Dekkerhus drove through the middle before unleashing a low shot that zipped off the turf and came back off the upright. Johanne Fridlund did hit the target in similar fashion moments later but Caitlin Leach tipped her effort around the post.

Next it was England's turn as Natasha Flint released Rosella Ayane with a beautiful through ball but the winger lost her composure with the goal beckoning. It became a familiar tale for Mo Marley's side, who got into several good positions but could not work Cecilie Fiskerstrand. Leach was being tested, making a point-blank save from Maria Hiim look easy then tipping a Fridlund cross-shot onto the bar.

Gradually, though, the pace eased; the people on the balconies in the flats overlooking the stadium returned to their reclining seats. They could never quite divert their attention, with Vilde Fjelldal denied by Leach after a Stewart slip. Yet as time went on the two goals England needed looked less and less likely. More possible was an equaliser for Spain that would have taken Norway through but it did not materialise.

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Nils Lexerød, Norway coach: "We did what we had to and got a result that could have got us to the semi-final but Germany won so we have to go home. If we needed to win this game I think we would have but we needed a goal from Spain and it didn't come. I told my players I'm really satisfied with how they have played at this tournament, the spirit they have shown. In two out of the three games we met our potential. It has been a great experience and I'm sure me and the girls will take something from it for the future."

Mo Marley, England manager: "I thought it was quite competitive, quite even in the first half. Both teams had a bit of the initiative in spells but weren't able to build a steady platform. As it went on it became a case of do or die. The last 20 minutes was quite open and we did well in that spell, causing problems. We've acquitted ourselves very well but it has probably been the story of the tournament for us: not quite enough. You can't say we didn't try though."