Germany. Champions of Europe....again! | (Credit: Marion Kehren) Germany. Champions of Europe....again! | (Credit: Marion Kehren)

For the 8th time in their history and for the sixth straight European tournament, Germany have been crowned European champions with a 1 - 0 win over Norway.

Led superbly by captain, and new Brisbane Roar recruit, Nadine Angerer, the young German team took the lead in the 49th minute as a clinical counter attack was finished off by substitute Anja Mittag.

[More: Angerer heading to Brisbane Roar]

However it is the German captain Angerer who will be hailed in the headlines with the 34 year old saving two Norweign penalties in both halves.  First with a brilliant kick save from Trine Rønning in the 29th minute after Cathrine Dekkerhus earned a controversial penalty then from Solveig Gulbrandsen in the 61st minute.

A tournament record crowd of 41,301 saw a match that ebbed and flowed with the Germans starting strongly with a Célia Okoyino da Mbabi strike, Dszenifer Marozsán free-kick and Nadine Kessler header going close early.

Once Norway settled, they uncharacteristically went on the attack with verve with Maren Mjelde leading the charge in the midfield.

Just approaching the half hour Norway had a golden chance to take the lead when Okoyino da Mbabi was adjudged to have brought down Dekkerhus in the penalty area. Although replays showed Dekkerhus may have exaggerated the contact.

A livid Angerer faced up to Trine Rønning and made an excellent kick save with an outstretched leg as Rønning attempted to drill the ball down the centre.

Given a lifeline, Germany pressed late in the half with Simone Laudehr's effort from distance and Marozsán's low strike their best chances.

While Norway started the second half strongly, it was Germany who took the initiative and the lead four minutes after the restart.

A brilliant counter attack was initiated by Laudehr with a quick interchange of passes on the left wing releasing Okoyino da Mbabi into space.  With a world of time the striker squared to the run of Mittag at the back post and she calmly finished to give the defending champions the lead.

Germany then poured on the pressure with Okoyino da Mbabi twice going close to heading home a second only to be denied on the goal line.

Behind, Norway opened up the game further and had a chance to go level when Caroline Hansen produced a slalom run into the box only to be brought down by Jennifer Cramer.

This time it was Solveig Gulbrandsen to face Angerer but it was the same result with the German captain guessing right and palming away her effort.

Norway continued to press and it looked like they had gone level when Ada Hegerberg tapped in at the backpost only to be flagged correctly for offside. Norway's last chance came when substitute Elise Thorsnes poked just wide after clashing with Angerer for a 50/50 ball.

But in the end it was Germany's trophy for the 8th time from 11 Championships, 6th in a row and 8 from 8 in finals.

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