UEFA WOMEN’S EURO: Austria out of luck as Magull and Popp fire Germany into last four
KEIR RADNEDGE in LONDON: Germany continue on what they hope will prove an inexorable path towards winning the UEFA Women’s European crown for a record-extending ninth time.
Martina Voss-Tecklenburg’s team won all three group games, scoring nine goals while conceding none, and maintained defensive perfection in a 2-0 victory over Austria in the quarter-finals in front of 16,025 at Brentford.
In the semi-finals Germany will face France or reigning champions Netherlands who meet on Saturday.
They lived a charmed life at times, however, despite taking an early lead through Lina Magull. Austria hit the posts three times, twice in a spell of heavy pressure immediately after the interval, before Alexandra Popp punished a hesitant goalkeeping clearance in the closing minutes.
Austria will reflect that it could have been so different.
In the eighth minute but Julia Hickelsberger-Fuller shot tamely into the arms of keeper Merle Frohms after breaking clear on the right. Then Marina Georgieva advanced from defence to head against the bar from a corner.
Germany punished such generosity in the 25th minute when Popp stepped cannily over a left-wing cross from player of the match Klara Buhl and Magull shot unerringly home.
Popp could have extended the German lead shortly before halftime but Austria were saved by the outstretched leg of keeper Manuel Zinsberger and were thus remained within reach for the restart.
German keeper Frohms was fortunate twice over. First a long angled lob from Barbara Dunst sailed over her head only to strike the crossbar then a post denied Sarah Puntigam.
Now it was Germany’s turn. Substitute Linda Dallman ran clear only to shoot too high and midfielder Lena Oberndorf had a drive saved late by keeper Zinsberger before left winger Buhl not only struck the bar but missed an open goal.
Not that it mattered. Germany grew ever stronger before Popp claimed her fourth goal of the finals after hustling Zinsberger whose attempted clearance rebounded of the striker’s shins and back into the net.
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