France have been crowned champions of the 2014 Cyprus Cup after an impressive 2-0 win over England at the GSP Stadium in Nicosia on Wednesday evening .

England qualified for the final in convincing fashion, winning all three group games and scoring seven goals. The French may have reached the final in dramatic circumstances, needing an 89th minute goal to seal their date with England, but they looked superior right from the start in this game.

Going into the tournament as holders, England were looking to avenge the defeat they suffered against France in 2011 – a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory in the quarter-finals of the Women’s World Cup. England had not conceded a goal in the tournament but France had scored seven goals en route to the final of the tournament and were intent on breaching the Three Lioness’ defence.

England have not beaten France since 1974 at this level and it was clear that their poor run was going to continue as the French took a two goal lead within the first 20 minutes.
Gaetane Thiney tapped in the opener after just six minutes with the assist coming from some typically pacy wing-play by Elodie Thomis as England failed to deal with the incoming cross. Twelve minutes later it was 2-0 through Camille Abily who smashed home an angled shot past Siobhan Chamberlain in the England goal from around ten yards.

England were flat throughout the game and did not show their true quality, failing to amass a significant chance on goal other than the one on the hour mark. The two substitutes combined to great effect with Eniola Aluko getting to the byline and cutting the ball back to Jill Scott but the Manchester City striker failed to get clean contact and saw the ball fly over the bar.

France’s victory puts them level with England on two Cyprus Cup successes since its creation in 2008, while Canada have won the cup a record three times.
From the organisers’ perspective, the Cyprus Cup was another success as it has been in each of the seven editions hosted on the island.

The Cyprus Cup is a women’s football tournament hosted annually on the island between the top nations of the sport. It is regarded as one of the most prestigious competitions in the women’s game. Cyprus have never competed in the tournament despite being hosts.

Cyprus Mail