Germany have won the UEFA Women’s EURO 2013 against Norway courtesy to an outstanding performance by goalkeeper Nadine Angerer and a goal by Anja Mittag.

The final was an encounter of the defending champions turned minnows Germany and a strong charismatic team from Norway. German national team coach Silvia Neid had to cope with the absence of many experienced players due to injuries in this tournament and she was forced to call-up many youngsters who had rarely played in the senior national team. And the youngsters did their job better than anyone expected.

Experienced Nadine Angerer turned out to be the hero of the final, as the German goalkeeper and skipper saved two penalties in the match, while Sweden-based striker Anja Mittag scored the lone goal of the final.

The final infront of 41,301 fans at Solna’s Friends Arena was an interesting encounter which had to offer lots of tension. Germany looked the better side although Silva Neid’s team had its problems to find the final touch to create some danger in the Norwegian box. Norway on the other hand had always some good attacks to offer and they were on the hunt to find the one chance to break the deadlock.

Referee Cristina Dorcioman from Romania wrongly awarded Norway two penalties when two players went down for a dive in the German box. But Angerer saved both penalties to give her side a much needed morale boost.

It was the 49th minute when the stadium errupted as substitute Anja Mittag finally scored a goal in the intense game. Célia Okoyino da Mbabi delivered a perfect pass from the left wing to Mittag who had no difficulties to put the ball to the back of the net.

Germany kept the lead till the final whistle was blown and the young German side achived something no one dreamt of ahead of the tournament. It is Germany’s eight European Championship title and they have once again proved to be a strong side despite the absence many star players.

UEFA Women’s EURO 2013 | Final | Friends Arena, Solna (Sweden)
GERMANY 1-0 NORWAY

GOALS
1-0 Anja Mittag (49′)

LINE-UPS

Germany
1 Angerer [C] – 4 Maier, 5 Krahn, 3 Bartusiak, 15 Cramer – 8 Keßler, 20 Goeßling – 9 Lotzen (46′ 11 Mittag), 10 Marozsán, 6 Laudehr (77′ 2 Schmidt) – 13 Okoyino da Mbabi

Unused Subs
7 Behringer, 12 Schult, 14 Linden, 16 Leupolz, 17 Henning, 18 Huth, 19 Bajramaj, 21 Benkarth, 22 Wensing, 23 Däbritz

Norway
1 Hjelmseth – 6 Mjelde, 3 Christensen (85′ 11 Kaurin), 7 Rønning, 5 Akerhaugen – 10 Hansen, 8 Gulbrandsen (68′ 9 Thorsnes), 4 Stensland [C] (76′ 19 Isaksen), 22 Dekkerhus, 16 Hegland – 21 Hegerberg

Unused Subs
2 Lund, 12 Vesterbekkmo, 13 Bjånesøy, 14 Tofte Ims, 15 Holstad Berge, 17 Mykjåland, 18 Ryland, 20 Haavi, 23 Gjøen

BOOKINGS

Yellow Cards
70′ Krahn (Germany)

Yellow-Red Cards
none

Red Cards
none