UEFA Women's Euro 1997 (partially found footage of international football matches; 1997)

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Bettina Wiegmann about to score for Germany against Sweden in the Semi-Finals.

Status: Partially Found

The UEFA Women's Euro 1997 was the seventh UEFA-sanctioned Women's European Championship. Hosted in Norway and Sweden, it commenced from 29th June to 12th July 1997, and saw defending champions Germany defeat Italy 2-1 with 2,221 in-attendance at the Ullevaal Stadion to claim its second consecutive title, and its fourth European Championship overall.

Background

From 1984 to 1995, UEFA Women's European Championships consisted only of four qualified nations.[1][2] It was expanded to eight teams for 1997, with 16 teams vying to earn a place.[3][1] They were split into four groups of four; teams that topped their groups automatically qualified for the tournament, whereas teams finishing second and third decided the final spots via play-off matches.[1][3] Group 1 was considerably stacked, as it not only featured defending champions Germany, but also Norway, who had won the 1995 FIFA Women's World Cup.[4][5][2][1][3] Norway went on to edge out Germany for the automatic spot, with Finland finishing a distant third.[1][3] In Group B, Russia beat France and Iceland to first, whereas Italy narrowly edged out England by a point to qualify in Group C, with Portugal taking third.[1][3] Finally, Sweden topped Group D, ahead of Denmark and Spain.[1][3] In the play-offs, Germany demolished Iceland 7-0 on aggregate, France defeated Finland 5-0, Spain surprised England via a 3-2 win, while Denmark completely outclassed Portugal 12-1.[1][3] England were the only Euro 1995 finalists not to qualify for 1997.[2][3]

Norway and Sweden were subsequently declared joint-hosts of the tournament.[1] Sweden had previously hosted the 1995 FIFA Women's World Cup, losing to China in the Quarter-Finals.[5] That tournament was a modest success, attracting 113,000 to attend in-person overall, which was equivalent to about 4,315 per game.[6][5] Euro 1997, likely due to the Women's European Championship's lack of mainstream attention, was less successful. In total, the tournament drew a stadium attendance average of 2,382 for each match, totalling around 36,000 overall.[7] The subsequent 2001 tournament held in Germany almost doubled that figure.[8] Sweden's Sveriges Television (SVT) are known to have provided some television coverage, including of Sweden's games with Russia and Germany, and the Final itself.[9]

The Tournament

UEFA Women's Euro 1997 began on 29th June 1997, with France and Spain opening Group A.[10][3] A Spanish forward managed to intercept a France before passing the ball to Isabel Parejo. Parejo chipped French goalkeeper Sandrine Roux to make it 1-0 after 14 minutes. France equalised courtesy of Angélique Roujas after 52 minutes, with both sides ultimately earning a point each.[10][3] Later that day, Sweden began their campaign versus Russia. Hanna Ljungberg took the lead for the hosts after nine minutes. The Swedes held on throughout the rest of the first-half, and most of the second, before Larissa Savina secured an equaliser 79 minutes in. However, Anna Pohjanen claimed the winner for Sweden just two minutes later.[11][3] Sweden then secured qualification by beating Spain, Victoria Sandell's fifth minute goal deciding the result.[12][1][3] Meanwhile, Roujas again proved France's MVP, taking the lead for her nation after 26 minutes against Russia. Irina Grigorieva equalised after 52 minutes, but two more goals from Roujas in the 57th and 74th minutes secured her hat-trick and a 3-1 France win.[13][3] One of these goals saw Roujas lob the ball from a long-distance towards the top-left corner of the goal, completely beating Russian goalkeeper Svetlana Petko.

France held the points advantage over Spain heading into the final matches. However, their campaign came unglued when they conceded a penalty after 17 minutes, which Malin Andersson converted. Four minutes later, a Cécile Locatelli own-goal made it 2-0, before a Kristin Jonsson goal just before half-time sealed a 3-0 Sweden victory.[14][3][1] Despite this loss, France were still heading towards the Semi-Finals, only for this hope to shatter when Ángeles Parejo broke the deadlock for Spain after 67 minutes, holding on to beat Russia 1-0.[15][3][1] Sweden topped the group with a perfect record, while Spain proceeded onwards at France's expense by virtue of a superior goal difference.[3][1]

Group B began with defending champions Germany taking on Euro 1993 runners-up Italy.[4] Germany's Maren Meinert took the lead for her side after 49 minutes. They were given a boost six minutes afterwards when Italy's Federica D'Astolfo was sent off. However, Antonella Carta's 71st minute free-kick secured the equaliser, with the game ultimately ending 1-1.[16][3] In contrast, hosts Norway annihilated Denmark, Marianne Pettersen having secured a hat-trick through 16th, 18th, and 50th minute strikes. Heidi Støre added another for Norway six minutes later, before a fourth Pettersen goal in the 80th minute secured a 5-0 win.[17][3] One of Pettersen's goals saw her receive the ball in the Danish box via a free-kick, where she swiftly turned and struck the ball past Denmark goalkeeper Dorthe Larsen. Denmark somewhat redeemed themselves when they faced Italy. Lene Terp gained her side the lead after 22 minutes, but this was cancelled out by Carolina Morace's 45th minute strike. In the second-half, Merete Pedersen put her side back in front 61 minutes in, only for Patrizia Panico to level proceedings after 73 minutes. The game ended 2-2.[18][3] Meanwhile, Norway and Germany played to a goalless draw.[19][3]

Therefore, Norway were ahead with four points, compared to Italy and Germany's two points, and Denmark's sole point.[1] Germany were behind Italy on goals scored, and hence needed a win against Denmark. The Danes again performed better than their disastrous match against Norway, but eventually, Germany's Monika Meyer broke the deadlock after 82 minutes. Denmark nearly scored when a shot hit the crossbar's lower edge, before having a rebound shot once again be redirected. This third chance ended with the ball going over the goal.[20] 90 minutes in, and Germany performed a series of passes that outmatched the Danish defence and gain Birgit Prinz space to launch a direct longshot towards the top-right corner for 2-0.[21][3][1] Elsewhere, Italy started strongly thanks to Morace goal after three minutes. Despite pressure from the world champions, Italy held strong, with Morace scoring her second in stoppage time to claim a 2-0 victory. Italy topped the group ahead of Germany on goals scored, with hosts Norway eliminated at the first hurdle.[3][1]

Hence, Sweden played Germany in the Semi-Finals. After 84 minutes, Meyer was able to break through the Swedish defence, and dodged a tackle from goalkeeper Ulrika Olsson. She then backpassed to Bettina Wiegmann, who lobbed the ball over to the goal's far left corner to finally break the deadlock.[22][1] Germany held on to reach their second consecutive Final.[23][3][1] In the second Semi-Final, Silva Fiorini took the lead for Italy after 11 minutes, with Morace doubling the nation's lead 18 minutes later. Despite several Spanish chances, including an Ángeles Parejo goal after 89 minutes, Italy claimed a 2-1 win.[24][3][1]

The Final took place on 12th July 1997 with Ullevaal Stadion accommodating 2,221 in-attendance.[25][20] After a shaky start to the tournament, Germany put in a convincing second performance against Italy, Minnert opening the scoring in the 23rd minute. Five minutes into the second-half, Prinz, who had also scored in the 1995 Final, doubled Germany's lead. Italy ultimately could not achieve any sort of comeback, giving the Germans their second consecutive European Championship, and their fourth overall.[25][3][1][20][4] Years later, Germany's manager, Tina Theune, discussed how the win came during a rebuilding phase for the women's team, who had witnessed the departure of previous manager Gero Bisanz and several key players.[20] While Germany's campaign initially proved nerve-whacking, especially during their game against Denmark, the young squad were able to vastly improve as the tournament progressed.[20] Germany's dominance continued with wins in 2001, 2005, 2009, and 2013, before finally being defeated at Euro 2017.[4]

Availability

As previously mentioned, Swedish television channel SVT did provide coverage of at least three matches.[9] It had previously uploaded the Sweden-Russia, Sweden-Germany, and the Final onto its streaming service, which were available by 24th April 2015.[9] However, it had removed the videos by 4th March 2016, citing that its takedowns may have been the result of limited availability, or for copyright reasons.[26] On 7th June 2023, Lost Media Wiki user SpaceManiac888 contacted SVT to enquire on whether the videos will ever resurface, as well as the other matches it covered for the tournament and the 1995 FIFA Women's World Cup.[27] SVT responded the following day, stating its buyers would look into the possibilities of bringing the matches back, but noting that sports rights held by UEFA, FIFA, and the Swedish FA may limit what it can provide on SVT Play.[27] Problems over securing rebroadcast permissions likely also explains why publicly available coverage of previous and subsequent Women's European Championships is intensely slim.[28]

With SVT's coverage having been made publicly unavailable, no full match broadcasts from Euro 1997 are currently publicly available. Nevertheless, UEFA did upload a video showcasing the tournament's best goals, indicating all games were filmed. Highlights from the Germany-Denmark game can also be accessed on UEFA TV.

Gallery

Video

UEFA providing the best goals of the tournament.

External Link

References

  1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 1.19 UEFA summarising the tournament. Retrieved 10th Jun '23
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 RSSSF summarising Euro 1995's results. Retrieved 10th Jun '23
  3. ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14 3.15 3.16 3.17 3.18 3.19 3.20 3.21 3.22 3.23 3.24 RSSSF summarising the results of the qualifying and finals stages of the tournament. Retrieved 10th Jun '23
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 90 Min summarising all Women's Euro Finals prior to 2022. Retrieved 10th Jun '23
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Soccer Politics detailing the 1995 FIFA Women's World Cup. Retrieved 10th Jun '23
  6. ↑ The US Women's Soccer Team noting the 1995 FIFA Women's World Cup drew around 113,000 to stadiums overall. Retrieved 10th Jun '23
  7. ↑ UEFA noting the tournament drew an average of 2,382 per match. Retrieved 10th Jun '23
  8. ↑ Archived UEFA comparing Euro 1997's attendance figures to 2001's. Retrieved 10th Jun '23
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Archived SVT providing three match broadcasts on its streaming service, which have since been removed. Retrieved 10th Jun '23
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 World Football summarising the France-Spain result. Retrieved 10th Jun '23
  11. ↑ Svensk Fotboll detailing the result of the Sweden-Russia match. Retrieved 10th Jun '23
  12. ↑ Svensk Fotboll detailing the result of the Sweden-Spain match. Retrieved 10th Jun '23
  13. ↑ World Football detailing the result of the France-Russia match. Retrieved 10th Jun '23
  14. ↑ World Football detailing the result of the Sweden-France match. Retrieved 10th Jun '23
  15. ↑ World Football detailing the result of the Spain-Russia match. Retrieved 10th Jun '23
  16. ↑ World Football detailing the result of the Germany-Italy group match. Retrieved 10th Jun '23
  17. ↑ World Football detailing the result of the Norway-Denmark match. Retrieved 10th Jun '23
  18. ↑ World Football detailing the result of the Italy-Denmark match. Retrieved 10th Jun '23
  19. ↑ World Football detailing the result of the Germany-Norway match. Retrieved 10th Jun '23
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 20.4 DFB interview with Tina Theune where she discussed her nation's matches in the tournament (article in German). Retrieved 10th Jun '23
  21. ↑ World Football detailing the result of the Germany-Denmark match. Retrieved 10th Jun '23
  22. ↑ Spox interview with Wiegmann, where she discussed her goal against Sweden (article in German). Retrieved 10th Jun '23
  23. ↑ Svensk Fotboll detailing the result of the Germany-Sweden match. Retrieved 10th Jun '23
  24. ↑ World Football detailing the results of the Italy-Spain match. Retrieved 10th Jun '23
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 World Football detailing the result of the Final. Retrieved 10th Jun '23
  26. ↑ Archived SVT stating it had removed the three match broadcasts from its streaming service. Retrieved 10th Jun '23
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 Enquiry between Lost Media Wiki user SpaceManiac888 and SVT over whether its tournament coverage will return on SVT Play. Retrieved 10th Jun '23
  28. ↑ r/WomensSoccer discussing the lack of available women's football broadcasts, potentially due to rights issues. Retrieved 10th Jun '23
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