The Cyprus Cup started today with the first day of the group stage. Six games on the program and a first disappointment for Belgium against the Czech Republic. Spain and Italy won both shocks of the day, while North Korea took the lead in Group C.


=> The complete program / results of the Cyprus Cup 2018


The first day of the Cyprus Tournament offered two posters between teams present at the last Euro. In the group A, Italy was against Switzerland, two teams that had been out in the first round but Italy had a good impression, a sensation confirmed in recent months especially on the lawn of the Velodrome where Squadra Azzurra stood up to the Blue ones.


Italy outclasses the Nati


Last year, the transalpine players had a complicated Cyprus Cup with a 6-0 defeat to Switzerland in the group stage. Mined by injuries and with players in form, Italy had not held the comparison to finish in 11th place in the tournament. This year, the game has changed with a full Italian team or almost.

On the field, the players of Milena Bertolini take the advantage from the first minutes of play. A corner left side handed to the first post by Girelli at the limit of 16 meters, the ball finds the head of Barbara Bonansea at the limit of 6 meters that surprises Gaëlle Thalmann with a crossed head (4th).

At the half-hour mark, Italy doubled the bet by Valentina Bergameschi, launched towards the Swiss goal, she is faster than the opposing defense and scores by placing the ball on the right of Gaëlle Thalmann again beaten (33rd ). The Italian players maintain their ascendancy even if they will have to wait until the end of the match to add a new goal by Cristiana Girelli. A goal scored on penalty, after a foul on Bonansea, unbalanced in the area. Girelli is responsible for the award and adds a third goal that reflects the domination of Italy in this meeting.

In the other group A match, Wales won 1-0 against Finland. A goal at the beginning of the second period scored by Kayleigh Green (55), who scored on a long-distance lob that defeated Tinja-Riikka Korpela advanced far from his goal.


Belgian Red Flames jostled by the Czech Republic


In Group B, the sensation came from the Czech Republic who won (2-1) against Belgium. A result equal to the progress made by the Czechs in recent years, they have hung Iceland in the fall in qualifying for the World Cup, having long stood up against Germany also in these qualifications for the World Cup. world.

=> Cyprus Cup 2018: On the road to the World Cup

Belgium beaten with a team partially reworked between the absences of Julie Biesmans and Elke Van Gorp, while Tine de Caigny but also the hinge of the last defensive Euro Jacques-Coutereels started on the bench. Choices that ultimately cost Belgium with two goals conceded in the first half hour, signed Katerina Svitková (15th) and Tereza Kozárová of the free-kick header (28th).

For their part, the Belgian attackers stumbled on a Czech defense well in place. Tessa Wullaert will also try in vain before going out at the break. The changes made by Yves Serneels partially produce their effects. This is also one of the players entered at halftime that reduces the gap for the Red Flames. In the 76th minute, Tine De Caigny placed her header at the far post on a Laura de Neve service at 25 meters. A goal reminiscent of Kozárová in the first half.

Tine De Caigny but also Laura Deloose will have the opportunity to bring Belgium up, but without success, despite a better second period of the Red Flames.


Spain in control


In the other match of the group, Spain prevailed against Austria. Two teams that met again after the Euro and their match in November on behalf of the World Cup qualifiers. In the Balearics, La Roja won 4-0. Not as wide this afternoon but the same feeling of control with this 2-0 win over Spain. In the first half, it was Olga Garcia who opened the scoring in the 35th minute on a cross from Marta Corredera right side.

In the second half, Mari Paz Vilas added the second goal. In the game in place of Jennifer Hermoso, Mari Paz is on the lookout on a ball returned to the surface by teammate Marta Carro. Managed by Manuela Zinsberger for the first time, Mari Paz Vilas tackles in the feet of Marina Georgiva who misses her clearing, and finds the way to the Austrian nets (78th).


North Korea alone in the lead in Group C


Spain and the Czech Republic share the lead in Group B, while North Korea took sole control of Group C after their 2-0 win over Hungary. A success achieved thanks to a double of Kim Yun-Mi in the second half (56th and 89th). The North Koreans took the three points while South Africa and Slovakia drew (0-0). The Banyana Banyana could have opened the scoring in the first period by Thembi Kgatlana, recently recruited by the Houston Dash in NWSL. She saw her shot pushed back by the crossbar, the best opportunity in this match that ended without purpose.