There are few things more difficult than trying to gain knowledge from tournaments like this: no TV coverage, little analysis, some scattered non-English blogs, meager video highlights at best, and for many of these players, the first time they hit my radar.
BUT … the U17 EURO’s just finished, with Iceland hosting the tournament.
For the third time in six years, Spain emerged as the champion, defeating Switzerland 5-2 (familiar score, that) in the final. The Swiss were a bit of a surprise to be there at all, having edged Germany, in a game the Germans completely dominated, on a goal at the tail end of their semifinal.
Some scattered thoughts
- These games were 80 minutes. This is the last level that plays shortened halves, and speaks to their youth and to how difficult it is to forecast the futures of these players. They have a long, long way to go.
- Spain has been far more successful in youth soccer than with their national team. This speaks to structural problems within their program that we can only hope are addressed. If you want to read more about that, start here.
- The final was a lot closer than the score indicates: two of the goals were own-goals off set pieces, each of which were a tad unlucky and one was a chip from the edge of the box after the Swiss goalkeeper had rushed off her line. The best goal of the seven–by far–was by Géraldine Reuteler of Switzerland.
- Iceland was clearly outclassed, and Ireland struggled as well (although there is some good talent in the Irish squad, see below).
And, some names to remember. Or, not really remember. Some names to file away and check back in five years and laugh at how hard it is to figure out what players develop, which ones ditch the sport altogether, etc.
First, from Spain.
The star of the tournament was Lucía García, who scored 5 goals in 5 matches. Some were fortunate, but half of being a forward is putting yourself in good positions. Patricia Guijarro had a fantastic tournament controlling the play from midfield, and Laia Aleixandri–at only fourteen–played every minute of every game for the champions.
Switzerland
Amira Arfaoui (only fifteen) scored to essential poacher goals to get Switzerland to the final, but it was Reuteler who was the focus of their attack. Nadja Furrer was fantastic in goal in the video highlights, but it’s hard to learn much from them, other than she has great reflexes.
Germany
Stefanie Sanders looks to be next in a long line of impressive young German strikers and while some of her goals came against softer opponents, she has great feet and generates a lot of power. Giulia Gwinn was a force for them in midfield.
France
Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Inès Boutaleb stood out. Katoto is a striker, Boutaleb a deep-lying midfielder who is unafraid to take shots.
The Rest
Ireland’s Saoirse Noonan was the focus of their attack, but was unable to score–the Irish were clearly the weakest of the non-host sides, overwhelmed by the speed and technique of their opponents. Still, Noonan and Eleanor Ryan-Doyle acquitted themselves well.
For England, forwards Georgia Stanway and Chloe Kelly dominated in qualifying, but England was unable to escape the group stage. Midfielder Mollie Rouse played very well.