Algarve Cup 2008-results and news

[Frank Cunha]

31' 1st Finland Women's(N) 0 - 2 Sweden Women's

31 m da primeira parte

[Frank Cunha]

HT Finland Women's(N) 0 - 2 Sweden Women's 0-2

HALF TIME

[Frank Cunha]

08:150' FT Germany Women's(N) 0 - 1 Denmark Woman's 0-0

ALGC 08:150' FT Iceland Woman's(N) 2 - 0 Poland Woman's

[Frank Cunha]

39' 1st Norway Woman's(N) 1 - 1 Italy Women's

[Frank Cunha]

10:450' FT Portugal Woman's 2 - 0 Ireland Woman' 0-0

FT Finland Women's(N) 1 - 3 Sweden Women's

[Frank Cunha]

78m Italy losing to powerful Norway 1-4

[Frank Cunha]

82' 2nd Norway Woman's(N) 4 - 2 Italy Women's

[Frank Cunha]

Final

Norway-4-Italy-2-

[baojoao]

Link do jogo, como assim?

[baojoao]

Group A:
FT: Germany 3 Finland 0
Goals: Prinz, Prinz, Lingor(pen)

FT: Denmark 1 Sweden 0

[Oliver_Kahn]

Originally Posted by baojoao

Link do jogo, como assim?

Creio que o Frank se refere a um link para poder ver o jogo na internet

[baojoao]

Group A:
FT: Germany 3 Finland 0
Goals: Prinz, Prinz, Lingor(pen)

FT: Denmark 1 Sweden 0
Goal: Paask Sorensen(6')

Group B:
FT: United States 2 Italy 0

FT: Norway 2 China 1

Group C:
FT: Portugal 3 Poland 1
Portugal goals: Carla Couto, Edite Fernandes and Sofia Vieira

47' : Iceland 4 Ireland 1

[Frank Cunha]

Originally Posted by baojoao

Group A:
FT: Germany 3 Finland 0
Goals: Prinz, Prinz, Lingor(pen)

FT: Denmark 1 Sweden 0
Goal: Paask Sorensen(6')

Group B:
FT: United States 2 Italy 0

FT: Norway 2 China 1

Group C:
FT: Portugal 3 Poland 1
Portugal goals: Carla Couto, Edite Fernandes and Sofia Vieira

47' : Iceland 4 Ireland 1

thanks,
great job

[baojoao]

ESPNsoccernet - US - Dolich: 2008 Algarve Cup preview

[Frank Cunha]

NICE ARTICLE

It's not all fun and games down in southern Portugal, where the annual Algarve Cup is staged each year in the Estadio Algarve. There's some serious soccer afoot, and it's not the World Cup or the Olympics. From Wednesday through March 12, some of the most competitive women's soccer teams congregate to this picturesque area to play under the dazzling sun, only a stone's throw from the beach.



Icon SMI
Christie Rampone will captain a young U.S. squad in Portugal.
This year, with Olympic qualifying right around the corner, the stakes are extra high. The United States has one month until the CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying in Mexico to perfect a new system under Swede Pia Sundhage. All three of Europe's entrants in the 2008 Olympic women's football tournament will be participating: Germany and Sweden in Group A, and Norway in Group B.


With 12 teams competing in three groups of four, the Algarve Cup has a unique format: Group winners in A and B will compete for the title and second-place finishers play for third, while the third-place finishers will play for fifth. Teams in the less competitive Group C will compete for spots seven to 12, as the winner of Group C will play the best fourth-pace team from Groups A and B, while the second-place team in Group C will play the other fourth-place finisher. The third and last-place finishers from Group C play again for the 11th and 12th spots.



For the USA's 13th trip to Faro, Portugal, the team will kick off Group B against China, Italy and Norway. Sundhage's coaching prowess will surely be tested against long-standing rival Norway, and again by a vastly improved and unpredictable Chinese team. With six consecutive Algarve Championship match appearances to their name, the U.S. women most likely will go head-to-head with Germany or Sweden, if they can triumph in a game of "Survivor."

Group A showcases European powerhouses Germany and Sweden, along with Denmark and Finland. The teams will be focused on continuing preparations for the 2008 Beijing Olympics and, more broadly, the UEFA Women's Euro 2009.

This year, Group C features host Portugal, Iceland, Ireland and first-time participant Poland.

"The Algarve Cup is a very important tournament for several reasons," Sundhage said. "This is a test of our fitness, our mental toughness, and also our depth."

Sundhage will bring a similar lineup to the squad that participated in the Four Nations tourney in China (back in January), with the exception of veteran Briana Scurry, who was left off the roster in favor of goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart. Defenders Cat Whitehill and Kate Markgraf return to the back line, in addition to defender Rachel Buehler, who will make her first appearance for the national team.

Here's a look at the top threats facing the U.S. women:


U.S. women's schedule
U.S. vs. China
March 5
Municipal Stadium, Albufeira, Portugal
8:45 a.m. ET


U.S. vs. Italy
March 7
Restinga Stadium, Alvor, Portugal
8:45 a.m. ET


U.S. vs. Norway
March 10
Restinga Stadium, Alvor, Portugal
8:45 a.m. ET


U.S. vs. TBD
March 12



Germany

The team to beat … and then some. The World Cup champion and Olympic qualifier will lead Group A, guided by the golden foot of Birgit Prinz and the magic hands of keeper Nadine Angerer. Silvia Neid's meticulous preparation puts her team in position to challenge the U.S. for the Algarve Cup title. Despite the loss of defender Sandra Minnert, who has called an end to her distinguished career, underrated vet Kerstin Stegemann is capable of locking it down in the back. Germany's depth is one of its strengths; a stacked offense driven by playmaker Renate Lingor and strikers Sandra Smisek and Petra Wimbersky will help support Prinz.

Sweden

The Swedes have scoring trifecta Hanna Ljungberg, Victoria Svensson and Charlotta Schelin at their disposal, but injuries and inconsistency have plagued the squad the past year. Coach Thomas Dennerby continues to infuse the roster with young talent, some of whom gained valuable playing time in the World Cup. In Portugal, Sweden should have a competitive advantage over Germany in Group A -- the team has finished in the top four the past three years.


Norway

With the retirements of 33-year-old goalkeeper Bente Nordby -- one of the best in the game -- and prolific striker Ragnhild Gulbrandsen, Norway will be focused on rebuilding. Coach Bjarne Berntsen will rely on vets Ana Stangeland, who should anchor the defense, and Ingvild Stensland, who must provide experience and composure in the midfield. Look for Norway to shuffle things up top with young talent to boost a flagging attack. Gifted playmaker Solveig Gulbrandsen, with 105 caps to her name at 26 years old, will be a spark for Norway as she continues her comeback after a year off with her newborn son.


China

Redemption is the theme for the Steel Roses after a disappointing Algarve Cup in 2007 (four straight defeats) -- and a close quarterfinal loss to Norway in the Women's World Cup -- the Chinese will be looking to capitalize on some hard-earned lessons. The team has struggled in the past, but with Frenchwoman Elisabeth Loisel as the new coach, look for China to make a strong showing. China has a promising young player in high-flying keeper Zhang Yanru, but top striker Ma Xiaoxu will be sidelined at the Algarve Cup with a torn knee ligament. Captain Li Jie will need to step up from the back, and experienced 24-year-old forward Han Duan will have to shoulder scoring responsibilities.


Denmark

The Danes will rely on Katrine Pedersen to be a steadying influence at back, with Anne Dot Eggers Nielsen orchestrating the midfield. Merete Pedersen and Cathrine Paaske Sorenson will provide the firepower up front. Denmark did not advance out of group play in Beijing, and it won't be any easier in "super" pool A. Nonetheless, Denmark had one of its best showings in last year's Algarve Cup despite drawing a blank in a 2-0 loss against the U.S.


Italy

Coming off a 4-1 win against Ireland in a UEFA Euro qualifying match Feb. 16, the Italians will face a bigger test against the American, Chinese and Norwegian squads. Although Italy is the only team in Group B that did not participate in the 2007 World Cup Tournament in China, the Italian women are only one spot under China at 14th place in the FIFA rankings. Italy is capable of scoring against any of these teams with ever-present threats Patrizia Panico and Melania Gabbiadini. The back line -- known to let a goal or two slip between the posts, will have to step up for the Italians to stay in the game.


Finland

Although Finland will not have to face the U.S. or China in the first round of group play, the Finns are still feeling the sting of a 4-1 thrashing by the U.S. and a 2-0 defeat against China at the Four Nations Tournament earlier this year. Coach Michael Kald admitted they were lacking in firepower, so they'll have to dig deep against Germany and Sweden. Finland will be the major underdog of the group -- the team has never placed in the top four at Algarve.


The United States opens the tournament against China on Wednesday, then faces Italy on Friday and Norway on March 10. The placement matches will be held March 12.


Lindsey Dolich is a contributor for ESPN The Magazine and covers the U.S. women's national team for ESPNsoccernet.