TAUNTON footballer Emily Syme was unable to prevent England losing to Germany in their Uefa Women’s Under-19 Championship opener on Tuesday night.

Midfielder Syme was one of 20 players selected by England boss Rehanne Skinner for the Euro finals, having helped the side win all six of their qualifying matches.

Germany scored twice in the first half on Tuesday, through Melissa Kössler and Paulina Krumbiegel, and although Syme assisted Jessica Naz for a goal in stoppage time, the game ended 2-1.

England’s next game at the tournament, which is being played in Scotland, is against Spain on Friday (July 19, ko 4pm), and they round off their Group B schedule against Belgium on Monday, July 22 (ko 4pm).

All England games are being shown live on the BBC Sport website and iPlayer.

The team also hopes to qualify for the Fifa Under-20 Women’s World Cup in 2020, which they can achieve by finishing in the top four at this tournament, with the top two in each group progressing into the semi-finals.