Tournament hosts Scotland were cruelly beaten 2-1 by France with an injury-time winner, while England lost by the same score to Germany having grabbed a very late consolation.
GROUP A – France foil Scotland fightback
Sandy Baltimore broke the deadlock for France at St Mirren with a cross-cum-shot on the hour and it seemed Scotland had rescued a point in front of over 1,200 fans when Emma Craig netted at the second attempt with 9 minutes left.
Lauren Davidson could have won it late on but instead it was France who did so, Naomie Feller finding space inside the box to fire home.
Five-star Dutch
Netherlands got off to a flying start with a 5-0 defeat of Norway at Firhill Park. Joelle Smits and Jonna van de Velde both struck inside 5 minutes, the former also on target just before the break, Romee Leuchter having got the third moments before. Kirsten van de Westeringh then competed the scoring midway through the second half.
GROUP B – Naz reply not enough
Germany threatened from the off against England and were ahead after a dozen minutes at St Johnstone, the dangerous Paulina Krumbeigel playing in Gina Chmielinski whose cross was headed in by Melissa Kossler.
The Young Lionesses should’ve been level but Ebony Salmon fired over the bar and within seconds a long ball over the top from Lisa Ebert was latched onto by Krumbiegel and clipped past Hannah Hampton.
Lauren James was denied by the bar before Lauren Hemp’s excellent run and cross set up Jessica Naz to pull one back.
Holders make winning start
Holders Spain were 2-0 winners over Belgium in Stirling, with both goals coming in the space of 10 second-half minutes. Claudia Pina broke the deadlock with a penalty in the 56th minute and Laia Aleixandri doubled the lead.
Fixtures for Friday 19 July
GROUP A: Netherlands v France St.Mirren FC, 4pm), Scotland v Norway (Firhill Park, 6.15pm)
GROUP B: England v Spain (Stirling Albion FC, 4pm), Belgium v Germany (McDiarmid Park, 7.30pm)
Tickets for all remaining WU19 Euro fixtures can be bought HERE with prices from £2 for adults and £1 for concessions.
