UEFA.com's pick of WU19 EURO group stage
Tuesday, July 26, 2016
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Our reporting team at the WU19 EURO in Slovakia pick out the best of the group stage, including a second-half hat-trick, a brilliant Spanish goal and cowbells a go-go.
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Big crowds, silky skills and cowbells. Our reporters in Slovakia choose their best moments from the UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship group stage.
Ones to watch
France striker Marie-Antoinette Katoto hit a hat-trick against Slovakia as a half-time substitute, before netting the opener in Monday's Group A decider with the Netherlands. Tall, fast and physical, Katoto's other strengths include positional awareness and fearlessness. Coach Gilles Eyquem tells us the 17-year-old could be the next big thing for the senior team.
Joint top of the scorers chart with Katoto is four-goal Netherlands forward Jill Roord. Her team-mates have praised her leadership skills and personality off the field, while we were impressed by her striker's instinct and technical ability.
Versatile Swiss attacker Géraldine Reuteler played a key role in Switzerland's 4-2 matchday two win which eliminated Germany in Group B. The 17-year-old led the counterattack and teed up Camille Surdez for her decisive second, after being moved out to the left wing.
Great goals
Spain could write the book on classy finishing, but their first of these finals really caught the eye. After dispossessing a German opponent in midfield, Aitana Bonmati's long diagonal pass found Andrea Sánchez who coasted down the left before crossing for Nahikari García. The Spanish captain collected the delivery with her left, turned and finished with a low right-footed drive.
Katoto's brilliant headed finish from Perle Morroni's corner against the Netherlands also stood out. Set pieces in training never look that good.
Fun-loving fans
Our reporters have picked Switzerland's supporters among the tournament's top fans. They have created a wall of noise on all three matchdays, clattering cowbells and painting the tribune red and white.
Norway boasted an impressive travelling contingent, replete with jerseys and flags. Tuva Hansen's father, former Norwegian international Hugo, was spotted stretching to catch a complimentary ball as the girls fired them into the crowd pre kick-off – his, of course, accurately gifted by Tuva.
Dutch fans usually travel in good numbers, and the bright Oranje support at this WU19 EURO has been no different. Credit, too, Slovakia's home crowds which were exceptional. The winners of the men's fifth division came to cheer on the hosts against France and definitely shouted the loudest!
Fair play
Spain coach Pedro López told his players to stop attacking in the final third because one of the Austrian players lay injured on matchday two.
The Netherlands and Slovakia fans posed for photos together and applauded each other for the great atmosphere generated during their opening-day encounter, won 6-0 by the Dutch. It made for a real spectacle.